‘It would be a dream come true to direct Naseeruddin Shah’

Actor Anand Tiwari (right, above) of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! and Go Goa Gone fame considers actor Naseeruddin Shah (right, below) as his mentor. Anand, who is making his Bollywood directorial debut with Love Per Square Foot, says that Shah has influenced his portrayal of characters on the big screen. He also hopes to direct him someday.

Anand’s association with Shah began in 2011. “I was rehearsing for the play All About My Mother directed by Akash Khurana. Ratna Pathak Shah [Shah’s wife] was also a part of it. Naseer sir came for the rehearsals and spotted me. He praised my skills and asked me if I would like to work with him. The first play we did together was By George. He is the teacher who has been guiding force in my life,” he says.

After his film releases in September, Anand says that he would like to do a play with Shah again. “I hope he would cast me,” he adds.

Ratna Pathak Shah plays an important role in his debut film. “I remember Naseer sir had actually messaged me saying that he is also an actor so why wouldn’t I cast him in the film,” he smiles before adding, “It would be a dream come true for me to direct him. I have never seen a passionate artist like him. The characters that I offer him must be worth his time and energy. So, that’s why I need to master the art first before I can even think of directing him,” he says.

PHOTO: SATISH BATE/HT