Big Idea/Om Puri

Puri has also been lucky. His work in the British film industry compensates for the lack of acting8217; at home. After the success of East Is East, in which he plays the role of a Pakistani settled in London and his conflicts within and without an alien society, the West seems to be beckoning the Ardh Satya man. Especially after Puri was nominated for the British Academy Awards and the London Critics8217; Award, for which he vied alongside Roberto Benigni sp?, this year.

But East or West, his craft is simple. quot;Read and live the script till the lights are on you. From that moment on, treat the situation as though you8217;re in it for the very first time.quot; The mantra of all so-called method actors. quot;If one has to effortlessly slip into any role, one can8217;t disclose one8217;s familiarity with the script and the skill one has adopted for a particular scene. And that is possible only with the right combination of rehearsal and spontaneity. If his skill dominates the chracter, he8217;s yet to mature.quot; But he attributes his own trademark offhand style to experience. quot;In the rigmarole of roles that Hindi films offer, I only apply my experience. Most of the times, they don8217;t even give you a script. Just a summary of the role and the dialogues at the last minute. Even otherwise, experience has taught me the most.quot; But Puri admits that his work in Britain 8212; My Son, the Fanatic, Brothers in Trouble and Ismail Merchant8217;s In Custody 8212; among others, have tapped his true potentialas an actor, as did some of his earlier works with directors like Govind Nihalani.

But as of now, Om Puri is a busy man. He8217;s both content and rueful, and true to the contours of his career so far. quot;I want to stretch my range, see how far I can go,quot; he says, the raspy tenor of his voice more calm and confident than ever.