It is not necessary for an actor to be a sycophant to the hero to survive in Bollywood

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By Team Bollyy
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ASHOK BANTHIA, who plays a stellar role in Kasaai which has been released by the OTT platform ShemarooMe Box Office today, tells JYOTHI VENKATESH in this exclusive telephonic interview for bollyy.com and Mayapuri

Career-wise, is it true that very rarely must you have been offered such an unforgettable role like Bhaggi Patel in a film like Kasaai?

When I was offered Kasaai, I tried to know more about Gajendra. S. Shrotriya, the director, and was quite intrigued on looking him up. On meeting him, we instantly clicked. It was also delightful to work with my fellow NSD-ians on this project, right from Mita, Ravi and V.K.Sharma.

Even the technicians came from the esteemed realm of FTII. And I must admit while people write off this kind of independent cinema, I thoroughly enjoy the process behind such movies. The “sur” of this film is so balanced and perfect, that magic was spun in front of the camera, which is eventually what led to the unfurling of my “unforgettable character” Bhaggi Patel.

How was the experience of working with director Gajendra S. Shrotriya?

He is crystal clear in his vision and keeps things simple. He was well versed with each and every detail about the film and also knew the locations at the back of his hand and was completely aware of the costumes and other aspects too. Even on a performance level, he never compromised on the result, and always extracted the best out of us even while also giving complete freedom in the way we created our characters.

My approach to the role needed a lot of subtlety to bring out the contrast with the other heavy-duty performances. I also didn’t want to go over the top, but like Manoj Bajpayee’s wonderfully restrained portrayal in Pinjar, come up with my own individual portrayal. I was granted such leeway in Kasaai and one can see how that beautifully translated on screen.

What is your opinion on the OTT boom, now that your film too is being premiered on ShemarooMe Box Office?

I am eagerly waiting to enjoy the fruits of my labour on ShemarooMe Box Office. As a team we have toiled very hard for Kasaai. May it be the unfavourable weather or meagre budget and even the cut throat schedule, all of us waded through innumerable obstacles to create art. I must admit that despite these issues, the village where we shot was so hospitable that it warmed the cockles of our hearts. I wish more of such cinema is made in the future, as it is important for audiences to accept socially relevant films which will change many mindsets.

Why is an actor of your calibre not seen in many films?

You see, when I realised television is not my cup of tea, after my stint with the TV, I understood it wouldn’t allow me to flourish as an actor, and so kept myself away from that zone for about five years. I remember enacting a scene with my co-star for an episode in a serial.

I was summoned by the director later who requested me to not do “so well” as the person I was acting with was the star of the show and he was getting nervous, after every shot of mine. That incident stuck with me as I realised that this could turn awry for my craft. I then left the TV behind and started giving back to theatre, slowly focussing on the stage. I was called by NSD and BNA to teach budding youngsters, and my play Chanakya kept me busy on other days. So basically, I didn’t avoid films but a lot of other forms of art kept me duly occupied.

Does theatre enable you to pay your bills?

The way I look at it, as long as I don’t live a lavish or greedy life, theatre is more than enough to look after me. I have also worked with people who genuinely appreciate my efforts and remunerate me fairly.

How was it working with Richa Meena, who plays your daughter Misri on screen in Kasaai?

We didn’t have many scenes together but she has a lot of potential.

Amongst your plays, which are your four favourite performances?

Oedipus, Chanakya, Jallianwala Bagh and Lomdiyan.

Which are your five favourite TV serials?

Chanakya, Mahabharat, Discovery of India, Bodyline and Geeta Rahasya. I especially enjoyed my role of Indradutt in Chanakya and Senapati Kritvarma in Mahabharat.

Which are your five best films?

Khoobsurat, Kasaai, Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, the upcoming Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai as well as Anand L.Rai’s upcoming Atrangi Re where I got to meet Dhanush, a very shy but nice human being, besides being a good actor.

Are you happy with the way your career has progressed over the years?

Absolutely! I enjoy life to the fullest and look at my work the same way. More than money I have earned relationships in this industry, and have always been offered clean roles with lots of scope to showcase my skills. Everyone in my family is working and that too helps me in being fearless in my choices. This is why folks in the industry are on a first name basis with me, never forgetting my face.

You’ve never been very media friendly!

Alas, I am very media shy and this is one of the very few interviews I have given honestly. I have also decided that at this stage in life, I will not work in more than two films a year, especially as an actor, I am more interested concentrating on quality than just quantity.

You have directed several plays. Have you also ever harboured the desire to direct?

There is a craving and I got offers too, but I don’t want to be the Jack of all trades, and the Master of none only to end up losing a lot of people’s money. But I am going to explore that field soon; I’ve come across some excellent Rajasthani folklore about Hadi Rani that would look incredible if translated well on screen. I may also adapt Natsamrat into a play for Rajasthan.

With which film did you make your debut in films as an actor?

Technically, it was Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. It was a happy coincidence how I got that film. I was just about to leave for Australia for my studies in theatre when I chanced upon Sudhir Mishra who offered me a role in the Kundan Shah directorial, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Are you working on any web series?

Not yet, but I would love to! I am just being offered the stereotypical father type roles which don’t really entice me. With ShemarooMe Box Office beaming Kasaai, who knows what the future holds?

Which are the directors on your wish list?

I would love to work with Shekhar Kapur again, after Dushmani, Govind Nihalani and Rajkumar Hirani. I have also been fortunate enough to collaborate with maestros like Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Anand L.Rai.

Lastly, does one need to be a sycophant to the hero to survive in Bollywood?

One needs to keep one’s ego at home and give his or her 100% in whatever he or she is doing, as talent and hard work are good enough to get you work here, and one need not be a “chamcha” if his or her latent craft is good and he or she is dedicated towards the art.

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