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Journalism of Courage
My father8217;s identity gets me noticed in the industry, but to avoid complications, I think I am a half-good actor myself.8221; All of 21 and only two-film-old, but certainly not short of confidence or candour. That8217;s Imaad Shah. Actor. Musician. Boy next door. And son of Naseeruddin Shah.
Ahead of the release of his first major film, Dil Dosti Etc, a Prakash Jha production, co-starring Shreyas Talpade, Smriti Mishra and Nikita Anand, Imaad is relaxed though a lingering leg injury has him on his crutches. In November last year, he fell off a crowded Mumbai local train while traveling to college. The accident underlined the rather non-starry lifestyle of a star son, a rarity in Bollywood. 8220;I lead a normal life like any other middle class boy of my age. The hype around my lineage is the media8217;s creation because that8217;s how the system works,8221; he says matter-of-factly.
His role in Dil Dosti Etc of a 20-year-old 8220;wanderer8221;, Apurv, however, is definitely up his street. 8220;The character is as real as any 20-year-old8217;s out there8212;in terms of his thoughts, the issues he lives with and his confusions. When I first read the complete draft, I found the character similar to me. So for most of the film, I just stuck to being myself,8221; says Imaad.
One of the film8217;s most interesting sub-plots involves Apurv8217;s relationship with a prostitute, played by Smriti Mishra. 8220;Calling Apurv a wanker is a rather simplistic way of viewing him. I would rather call him a wanderer as that8217;s how he8217;s also described in a dialogue in the film.8221;
Apurv is a character who often pauses and looks around and that8217;s how he ends up visiting a prostitute in Delhi8217;s infamous red-light area GB Road, says Shah. 8220;A casual encounter leads to regular meetings and she begins to feel genuine affection for the boy. They develop a unique emotional and physical intimacy and have very interesting conversations, which make for some of the film8217;s most endearing lines.8221;
The film also has an intimate kissing scene between Imaad and Smriti Mishra. But the boy-actor is hardly coy about it. 8220;It8217;s not difficult to do a love-making scene. What is tougher is to make it believable. Since we had spent a lot of time rehearsing in a workshop, I didn8217;t have any reservations doing the scene and did everything to make the lady feel comfortable. I don8217;t how much the film retains after the final cut, but I have a couple of love-making scenes with two other actresses too,8221; he says with a hint of a smile.
Ask him about love and the young man, who has had a girlfriend for some months now, says with a laugh, 8220;I would like to be a caveman.8221; But he adds quite earnestly, 8220;In something as simple and magical as love, the best way is to have nature play its course. I hate society playing a bigger role in an individual8217;s everyday life.8221;
Talking about his talented co-cast, Imaad is all praise for Smriti. 8220;She8217;s a very good actress and person and essays a very well written character in the film.8221; The other aspect of Dil Dosti Etc that got him hooked is that the film was set in Delhi University. 8220;I know the area very well and the fact that we shot most of the film in the university made it an attractive proposition for me,8221; he says.
Ask this student of English literature about the campus he would prefer to be in and he says, 8220;Mumbai has very little student politics and is much less flamboyant. Delhi University is the most productive place to grow.8221; Right now, Shah is pursuing his BA from home at Mumbai8217;s Kalina University after discontinuing from the regular course at the city8217;s prestigious St Xavier8217;s College. 8220;My accident led to a long absence from Xavier8217;s because of which I had to leave the college. They are very strict about attendance. Now I am completing my graduation by correspondence,8221; he says.
Is he nervous ahead of his first big release? 8220;I am actually unsure as of now. I hope the film does well because director Manish Tiwary is a good filmmaker, who I hope gets to continue making his kind of films.8221;
And is acting going to be his vocation? Imaad, perhaps, is also a bit of a wanderer. 8220;I am enjoying this time and would like to use my age to my advantage and take a few years to decide about my career. Music as a career attracts me too and I might cut an album soon. I write my songs and have performed solo and in groups at restaurants, coffee shops and in some hotel bands. I8217;m often complimented for having a well-rounded raw voice.8221;
Now, if only the reviews make some music.
