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Journalism of Courage
Whether it was as Omi in Chashme Baddoor, Raja in Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, or Dilruba in Shrimaan Shrimati, actor Rakesh Bedi has always managed to strike a chord with his audiences. But the versatile artist — who agrees to have been typecast over the years — says he is (and always has been) a theatre artist first.
Crediting the medium for giving him numerous opportunities to showcase his talent, Bedi — who is also seen in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah — says while he had no choice when it came to getting restricted with comic roles, humour is something that comes to him naturally, so much so that he loves to live his life in the same manner even today.
Ahead of his theatrical performance in Delhi earlier last week, we caught up with Bedi to talk about his journey, the role theatre plays in his life, getting pigeonholed as a comic actor, his first movie and his latest project. Excerpts:
Q: You made your debut with Ahsaas in 1979 and did numerous other films, TV shows and other OTT projects — how would you describe your journey?
A: Ahsaas, the first film I signed, was almost like a campus placement. I got this film during my convocation at the FTII where I was the compere for a programme where GP Sippy (the producer of Sholay) was the chief guest. At the event, I also played a pivotal role in a theatre production called Love in Paris War In Kutch. After watching my performance, Sippy sahab told me that he was making a film, and I was one of his heroes. Needless to say, I was elated and delighted and that’s how the journey started. Over the years, there have been many ups and downs but there is absolutely nothing that I regret. I firmly believe that one may topple once or twice in order to reach the top of a hill. While I am yet to reach the summit, I am certainly enjoying the journey (laughs).
Q: You started as a theatre artist. What significance (and role) does the medium play in your life?
A: I have always been a theatre artist. In fact, even before I went to FTII, I was a part of a theatre group in Delhi and did a lot of plays with them. Then, the day I graduated I joined IPTA (Indian People’s Theatre Association), the oldest theatre group in India, and ever since, there has not been a single month in my life where I have not stepped on to the stage – except for the two years of Covid. And I must say that it is easily manageable and is a wonderful learning ground as it is the only place where you get bouquets and brickbats instantly (the reaction of the audience).
Q: Despite helming so many projects, over the years, you got typecast as a comedy actor — how do you see that?
A: You see, I had to get typecast; I had no choice. When I joined the film industry, we were only making family dramas that had one hero, one heroine, a villain, a chase (or fight) sequence and finally a happy family reunion. But then there were certain prerequisites – hero 6 feet ka hona hi chahiye, heroine itni sundar honi chahiye, and villain aisa dikhna hi chahiye (the hero must be 6 feet tall, the heroine must be beautiful, and the villain must bear certain looks). Now, where do I fit in all this? However, there used to also be a comedian’s role and I wanted work. So, with no choice, I dived right into it. I always had a bent towards humour and still have it. I also like to live my life that way – on the brighter and humorous side.
Q: How challenging was it after that?
A: Yes, I did get typecast (in films), but that’s okay — theatre has given me so many avenues and allowed me to essay so many different roles. In fact, in one of my plays – Massage – I have played 24 different characters (alone) in a span of two hours. In another play – Andhe Choohe (based on Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap) – I play the main villain. I did about 150 shows of the play. In theatre, you get a lot of opportunities and get to experiment with many variations; it is a medium that keeps you busy all the time.
Q: Tell us about your role in Love Online: The Bollywood Café
A: Love Online: The Bollywood Café is a new play I am doing. It’s set in 2007, when Internet cafes were mushrooming in every nook and corner of the country that people used to frequent to chat with each other. The play is about these two people who used to chat with each other from the same café and had no idea about it – until one day the suspense gets over. The well-scripted play has a beautiful ending and in between, the story flows like a stream and is interspersed with lovely Hindi songs and dance sequences which add to the visual experience.
Q: Among the various mediums you have worked in, which do you find the most challenging and why?
A: While theatre is a beautiful medium, all of them have their own pros and cons. A good film – like Sholay, Padosan, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, and Chashme Baddoor – is for posterity. It will never get erased from people’s memory. TV, on the other hand, gives you lots of money, instant popularity, success, and keeps you occupied for a longer time with long-lasting spells of work. But theatre is extremely challenging. It is something an actor should do for themselves, for their own growth, satisfaction, to better their nuances, impulses and everything in between. This medium teaches you how to be dedicated, disciplined, it teaches timing and also camaraderie – it is a great platform to learn. This is probably why many actors in the West, despite their big stardom value, keep themselves involved in theatre, sometimes even taking a sabbatical – as theatre helps you revamp your energy, impulses and everything else expected of an actor.
Q: Many actors are penning their autobiographies; do you also plan to share your story with your audience through the written words? If yes, have you ever thought of a title?
A: (Laughs) Yes, I too am in the middle of writing my autobiography. I have been at it for the last two-three years. I try to write whenever I get the time and I plan to call it Funny Side Up.
Q: Even after so many years, what keeps you motivated to work? Do you miss anything from when you had started?
A: What I really miss is the camaraderie and friendship we (the actors) shared with each other and also our directors in those days. Today, people work in isolation. Also, these days everyone needs to audition for a role. Pehle aisa nahi tha (it wasn’t so before) – if the director had faith in you, they would give you a call. To share with you, I have even received a direct call from Dev Anand on the landline. The sets, too, feel different these days. Earlier, everyone used to sit together and discuss and debate their parts. Nowadays, people prefer to sit in their cabins or vanity vans – and are just running the rat race to become the best, a bigger star and earn more money etc. These are the only things I miss. However, I would also say that change is important and is the only thing that brings progress.
Q: An advice you would like to give to aspiring actors
A: One must know their job. Apna kaam agar aapko achche se aaye, toh aap jaldi succeed kar sakte hain (If you know your job, you will succeed easily). Today, the competition is very stiff and if you do not know your job well, or take really long to learn, then someone will take over. You should think that everyone else knows the job better than me, only then will you want to push yourself more than you think you can. At the same time, however, it is very important to have faith in yourself.
Love Online: The Bollywood Café, presented by The Kanupriya Theatre Company and directed by Aakshay Yaduvanshi, was recently performed at the Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi.
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