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Saba’s ‘unforgettable’ journey with Irrfan
Bollywood touches lives beyond borders and the recent loss of two acclaimed actors — Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor — is being mourned by fans and co-actors across the world. Pakistani actor Saba Qamar, who was paired alongside Khan in Hindi Medium (2017), says she is “devastated” with the demise of her “brilliant co-actor” and Kapoor. Though she never met the latter, his words of praise for her work will stay with her forever.
“I’ve learned a lot from Irrfan. Working with him was nothing less than a fan moment for me. I believe acting is actually behaving truthfully in imaginary circumstances. And I saw that in him,” says Qamar.
Recalling her on-set memories of “deeply philosophical” Khan, she says, “There was never a dull moment when he was around. We used to crack jokes with each other all the time. He always used to make me learn new things and gave pro tips on life.”
Outlining how her first meeting with Khan was “unforgettable”, Qamar adds, “When I entered the room where he was sitting, he began singing the song Badan Pe Sitare (Prince, 1969) for me. I’ll always cherish the entire time I’ve spent with him.”
Qamar looks back at the love she got for Hindi Medium with “gratitude”, while hoping that “things were better between our countries”. Revealing that she is yet to watch Angrezi Medium, Qamar, 36, says she loved how her fans missed seeing her in it. “Acting is a form of art that shouldn’t be restricted. I’d love to do more movies if I get the opportunity,” she adds.
Elaborating on the lockdown situation in Pakistan, she says, “It is the same for us all. I believe we are all in this together and should use this time for selfreflection. We should learn not to hold grudges and be positive because life is too
short and unpredictable.”
Shreya Mukherjee
Swwapnil Joshi’s life changed when he was just a nine-year-old boy and got the opportunity to play the role of Kush in Ramanand Sagar’s Uttar Ramayan. Now, as the mythological drama just wrapped up after a successful re-run on TV, the actor is feeling “the same kind of excitement”.
Joshi says, “I remember how the entire nation would come to a halt to watch Ramayan. Now, 33 years later, while the situation is different, it feels good to see that the nation has again come together. They’re enjoying those pure emotions portrayed on screen. These cult shows go beyond entertainment.”
Elaborating on how he got the show, the 42-year-old actor reveals, “As a kid, while playing with friends, we would sometimes enact characters. One of Ramayan’s cast members saw me playing, clicked a few photos and showed them to Papaji – that’s how we all addressed Ramanand (Sagar, director) ji. I was called for auditions and shortlisted.”
Joshi reveals his journey with the show changed him as a person, too. “There would be days when Mayuresh (who played the role of Luv) and I would not feel like shooting and we would be given the day off. There was no pressure, unlike today,” the actor adds.
Joshi’s popular 1990s show Krishna, in which he played the titular role in episodes depicting the teenage years of Lord Krishna, has also made a comeback on the small screen.
“My gut feeling was that it’s a natural progression. Now that it’s happening, I am really looking forward to the audience’s response,” he says.
The actor also believes that the soaring TRPs of such shows during the re-run is a testimony to the popularity of these series, which mirror Indian culture.
“Such timeless shows can never lose significance. Baaki drink achhe lag sakte hai par pyaas paani se hi bujhti hai. Yeh waise shows hain jo aap kabhi bhi dekho achhe lagenge,” he adds.