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I don’t follow stardom, says actor Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain needs no introduction. Best remembered for his role in Sarkar, this National School of Drama graduate believes in going with the flow and taking each day as it comes. The actor, in the city to promote his new show, said, “I have always lived one day at a time, be it work or life. I remember from where I started – from scratch. From being an amateur actor to being an NSD pass-out, I always waited for life to take its own course.
“When I did theatre without any training, I knew something was missing. I tried getting admission into NSD but it didn’t happen, as it was not destined. It was only in 1990 that I finally got enrolled in NSD after training for nine months and doing substantial theatre with Sri Ram Centre, Delhi. Soon after that I got a Kashmir-based show ‘Firdaus’, followed by Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Gaatha’ and then I started getting my type of work.”
Hussain made his film debut in Sriram Raghavan’s ‘Ek Hasina Thi’ in 2004, but finally he made a mark for himself with an intense role in Ramgopal Verma’s ‘Sarkar’. “I knew Sriram from my theatre days and when he offered me a single scene in EHT I just said it should be a scene that will be remembered always and thankfully it did go down well with the audience. It was after that particular scene that RGV noticed me and offered ‘James’, and while shooting for this film, he offered me ‘Sarkar’ and the rest is history.
“For me, doing my work honestly is the key. The length of the role, the medium, all are secondary. Also, I consider myself lucky to be an actor at a time when there is a remarkable shift in films and serials and I term them as story-oriented,” Hussain said.
On sharing space with Amitabh Bacchan, he said, “When I got ‘Sarkar’, I was elated, as it was the kind of film any actor would love to be associated with. Though I don’t follow stardom but getting a movie with Mr Bachchan was the turning point of my career. I remember my first shot was with him. There was a lot of pressure to perform, which I somehow managed to do. After the shot, Amitji called me and appreciated my effort. It was one of the best appreciations I have ever received. Later, I also did a TV show ‘Yudh’ by Anurag Kashyap, with him (Bachchan). Working with him is like working with an institution. And it’s always a pleasure.”
Talking about his new show, ‘Beechwale- Bapu Dekh Raha Hai’, he said, “This is a light comedy with a strong message. Something I always wanted to do, a sensible comedy. The character I play is of a middleclass man, Beechwale, and the story is about today’s middleclass individuals who are stuck between their aspirations and values.
The story revolves around Bobby Beechwale and his family based in Delhi. My father (played by Mithlesh Chaturvedi) is 70 years old, whereas my grandfather, Bapuji, used to be a freedom fighter working along with the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, hence the name. The show is slated for October 2 on SAB TV. The show has an ensemble cast including Ananya Kahre, Manoj Goyal, Ankita Mayank Sharma and others.” On film front Zakir is awaiting release of Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadun with Ayushmann Khurrana and Tabu along with Sanjay Dutt’s Prasthanam.
When I got ‘Sarkar’, I was elated, as it was the kind of film any actor would love to be associated with. Though I don’t follow stardom but getting a movie with Mr Bachchan... ZAKIR HUSSAIN ACTOR