Good cinema doesn’t need categories, says Kay Kay

Ihave reached a stage in life where I can’t compromise on work (anymore),” says Kay Kay Menon, who has been lauded for his performance in many movies including, The Ghazi Attack (2017), Haider (2014), Gulaal (2009), Sarkar (2005) and Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003). The actor feels it is high time his talent is placed front and centre. After Haider, he has been doing fewer films, and there is a reason for that. He says, “I will not take up any role where I feel overqualified. From now on, I will blow my trumpet regarding work. I will let people know that I am one of the good actors around in the industry today, and that they might as well use me effectively. From now on, this will be my approach.”

Glad that he has got his due in the industry, Kay Kay admits that people know him for the right reasons. He would rather be appreciated for his work than anything else. “I can’t ask for more. They don’t know me for my abs or looks. I want to be appreciated for my acting and I am glad I am,” he says.

With performances in films like Stree, Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017), actors such as Rajkummar Rao and Ayushmann Khurrana have become flag bearers of content-driven cinema. But Kay Kay feels cinema should be labelled as good or bad and nothing else. He shares, “I prefer not to give films any titles. The moment they get labels like parallel cinema, they get sidelined. I believe good cinema is just good cinema. It doesn’t need different categories or definitions. I feel good content should be hailed as mainstream and not an alternative, because it reduces its worth. I am glad that such films are being appreciated and audiences are patronising quality. I hope this appreciation continues. Only then will there be a significant change in our industry. I have been here long enough to know that the film industry threatens to change often but nothing really happens.”

Kay Kay is excited about his digital show debut as he feels the medium gives opportunities for good content and good quality. “I am okay with any content or medium as long as we preserve its sanctity,” he says.

I will let people know that I am one of the good actors around in the industry today, and that they might as well use me effectively. From now on, this will be my approach. KAY KAY MENON, ACTOR

PHOTO: SHIVAM SAXENA/HT