Ramgopal Varma Doesn146;t Backbite

Have you been offered any role recently that you would love to dig your teeth into?Yes, a promising new director narrated an interesting rol...

Have you been offered any role recently that you would love to dig your teeth into?
Yes, a promising new director narrated an interesting role. It was about a man who is offered a petrol pump after his son, an army officer, loses his life fighting for his country. The film tackles the subsequent red tapism he has to face to procure the petrol pump. However, Om Puri is playing that role now.

Why did you refuse?
I didn8217;t. I heard the script and thereafter I had to go out of town for a few days. Meanwhile, the producers probably thought, Yeh ghamandi aadmi hai laughs and went to Om.

What drew you to Bhoot? Are you happy with the outcome?
I have not seen Bhoot yet. The day Ramu approached me for the film I told him this is not my kind of subject. But he persisted. Since I was doing a couple of projects with him Nimmi, with a child in a pivotal role, and Ab Tak Chhappan I said, 8216;Okay. I will do the role in Bhoot, but you have to show me how you want me to do it.8217; I am also directing a musical for Ramgopal Varma.

A musical! That8217;s going to make a lot of people sit up.
My cast comprises actors from theatre. What I am trying to convey through this musical is that if animals and human beings can love each other, why can8217;t human beings take a cue and stop hating each other. The musical is based on Jumman, a famous Marathi novel penned by S N Pendse.

Ramu and you have formed a mutual admiration society.
I am comfortable with him. We both respect each other. It8217;s been smooth sailing so far. When I told him I want to make a musical, he told me to go right ahead without thinking of any restrictions on the budget. Ramu is a clean guy, he doesn8217;t backbite. If I am a dog and I behave like a rabbit, it8217;s wrong. How are people to know that I might just bite if they come too close?

What motivates you to accept one film and reject another?
See, I don8217;t consider myself a great actor, but I am an actor nonetheless and I need to constantly grow. Or I will die. Therefore I attempt a Khamoshi in which I play a mute man. What use is the money you earn from films if you are not evolving? Mercedes mein jao ya rickshaw se jao, camera toh poochta nahin hain tum kaun se gaadi se aaye ho? I am happy that God has gifted me with me a face that lends itself to a role of a coolie as well as an inspector. A good-looking actor is unable to forget his good looks.

What, according to you, is wrong with today8217;s actors?
Today, if you see an actor who has been a superstar for the last 10 years, you will realise that he has played the same role for the last 10 years. Either these actors are unsure of their capabilities or they are afraid to break free from the cocoon. So they try to manipulate success.