Play it again, Sir!

Why do we not see as much of you on screen as we would like to?

I think it is just appropriate. As time goes by, one must gracefully retract and reduce one’s exposure. I don’t know if you are aware, but even earlier I never did expose myself extensively by doing too many films. Naturally then, I am more careful now. Also, the younger generation of filmmakers have different ideas, even associations are not the same. And when you don’t get the kind of subject matter that gives you job satisfaction, it is best to take it easy by just relaxing.

Is there a dearth of offers, or are there just not enough good offers?

I have about six or seven scripts with me right now and I don’t like any. It’s not as though the scripts in the past were excellent. It’s just that most of them did have some substance that interested me. They had some promise always. I don’t think at this age I should hurl myself. It is not wise to do the kind of work that doesn’t excite me.

But younger directors are always talking about how your films have had a deep influence on their lives. All of them say they long to work with you someday…

O, aisa kuch hota nahin hai! It’s a very charming thing for them to say, and for an actor it feels good to know that they hold you in such high esteem. But to work with them calls for a lot of communication. You look for job satisfaction, you would like a significant meaty role to perform — whether it is humour or dramatic. But in reality, the situation is rarely so attractive. I have never gone out of my way to look for things anyway.

But why is it that in Hollywood, older actors like Paul Newman, Michael Caine, Clint Eastwood and Jack Lemmon continue to be flooded with good parts?

I also look forward to some such performances from actors like Paul Muni. But it really depends on the material. They have been fortunate to get the right kind of roles even at that age. Where does that happen in this country?

So would you blame the writing?

I think you’ve touched upon a very crucial point. We have developed as a country. We have television, we have technology, we have skyscrapers, everything… But the country has not developed contemporary literature. One that is in keeping with the social ethos. We’re constantly lifting ideas — and mind you, I don’t have anything against lifting ideas or subjects that are relevant and interesting. But we are relying too much on borrowed matter. Our rich regional literature is not getting replenished. There was a time we would turn to our classics for ideas, we would adapt good books. That is hardly happening anymore.

Everyone from Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan has copied you on screen. Some actors even confess that their work is greatly influenced by your style. Is that flattering to know?

I try not to pay attention to such remarks and statements, because I don’t necessarily believe it. It is unfair to any actor to say that he imitates anybody else.

Sanjay Bhansali has cast Shah Rukh Khan to play the title role in an adaptation of Devdas. When you played that role several years ago, many believed it was a performance no actor could repeat.

I don’t think it has to be that way. I’m very keen to see how the film will be made again because it’s an interesting story. And Shah Rukh Khan is a good actor. I’m sure he will play the role very well. It would be unfair to compare our performances because many years would have passed between the two films, and each director would have interpreted the story in his own way.

Which of the present-day actors do you enjoy watching on screen?

I think Anil Kapoor is very talented. He seems to be doing a variety of roles. I have seen a number of his films because he always calls me up to tell me to watch a particular movie of his. The last one, the one he plays a commando in — I think it was Pukar — was very promising. I think he has conducted himself very well on camera.

Some years ago you ventured into direction with a film called Kalinga. But that has been abandoned for many years. What went wrong?

Lots of things went wrong, and I don’t want to discuss them. However, we will be finishing that film soon. I don’t like leaving things incomplete.

You were recently elected into the Rajya Sabha. What is going to be your agenda in Parliament?

(Laughs)… I’ll let you know as soon as I find out!