Multiple Roles

The name might not bring instant recognition but once you look at the man,we bet you’ll hear yourself say,‘Oh,it’s him,the actor!’ Here in the city for a personal visit,actor Aroon Bakshi did a quick trot down memory lane talking about how Bollywood has transformed keeping pace with the changing times. Playing the role of the terrorist in his next project ‘Total Ten’,Aroon says,“Earlier there was a clear demarcation between a hero and a negative role but now the script has become the hero as an increasing number of lead roles in films are steering toward portraying a wholesome character with tints of grey.”

Hailing from Ludhiana,this versatile actor began his career as a cricketer and moved on to doing radio,theatre,television,films and even singing! “I started with Ghai’s ‘Karma’ and very soon realised Mumbai gives a chance to everyone,but you should know how to grab it. Your work is what makes you in Mumbai,” the actor makes a point. Talking about his own career graph,his most treasured film remains Ghai’s ‘Black and White’ where he essayed the role of a terrorist. “It was a well crafted role,so carefully sketched that it actually instilled sympathy in the audience for the terrorist.” Though he’s been a part of a handful of Punjabi films as well,Aroon appears disappointed by the present state of Punjabi cinema. “I’m a little heartbroken as I feel the final product doesn’t match up to the hard work put in during the making,” rues Bakshi who will be seen in the film ‘Total Ten’ which is based on the recent Mumbai attacks followed by ‘My Husband’s Wife’ directed by Vinod Chabbra and another project titled ‘Lajawaab’.

Reintroducing his album ‘Bol Mitti De Pava’,Bakshi also spoke of the music scene in the state of Punjab. “Punjabi people are betraying Punjabi culture. There are no more connoisseurs here. It takes years to inculcate Punjabi literature in music but there is no one to appreciate pure music anymore. The next generation just wants beats and hip-hop,” rues the actor-singer. His album comprises eight songs including one composed by Manoj Kumar. Donning the cap of a music director,Aroon is also working on a couple of songs for Raja Bundela’s ‘Dil Toh Deewana Hai’.