Did it for my love for Irrfan: Tillotama on Angrezi Medium
Radhika Bhirani
When Tillotama Shome essayed a snobbish education consultant in Hindi Medium (2017), it was an attempt by the casting director to break the stereotype around the actor’s “intense, serious, poor, rural, activist and maid” portrayals. In the film’s upcoming sequel, Angrezi Medium, Tillotama takes the role forward, but only for one reason.
“I accepted the cameo in Angrezi Medium because of my love for Irrfan. To be in the same room with him and laugh about life and its crazy plans,” Tillotama tells us, and quickly adds, “Also, Homi (director Homi Adajania) is a cool cat.”
Irrfan shot for the film after returning from the UK, where he had gone for treatment for neuroendocrine tumour. There has been a lot of anticipation for the film, considering the love that his fans have for the actor, who recently shared an emotional message on social media.
For Tillotama, her bond with Irrfan goes way beyond Hindi Medium. They have worked together in titles such as Shadows of Time (2004), Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost (2013) and The Song of Scorpions (2017).
The upcoming film also features Deepak Dobriyal, who was a part of the previous film as well. “The chemistry between us as actors was real and perhaps, that’s why I was called back,” Tillotama says, adding, “And it was refreshing to do a light-hearted scene. Irrfan and I have done enough intense scenes in Qissa, so this was a brief, but very welcome change.”
Angrezi Medium also features Kareena Kapoor Khan.