‘ I am creating my own mass’

... says actor Irrfan Khan, who contends that even character actors can have mass appeal. He sits down for a chat about his work in Bollywood as well as Hollywood, meeting Tom Hanks and more

Irrfan Khan doesn’t like long interactions when it comes to interviews, but for this one he generously spoke for more than half an hour. The actor, while finishing his lunch, explained how he has been busy with interactions all day. While I listen to his light chatter I cannot help but notice his new abode that has an old classic charm with wooden frames and mirrors on the walls. He seems to be relaxed in a brown linen shirt and a pair of denims.

What follows is an unguarded and candid conversation in which the actor speaks about how most of the roles he has done have simply fallen into his lap, how he doesn’t feel the need to network, how he doesn’t regret saying ‘ no’ to some films, his next outing Madaari and passing on the farming germ to his sons Babil and Ayan. Excerpts:

On how Madaari came about:

I was discussing ideas with Shailaja and Sutapa when this story came about. It was a true story and we could clearly see a film in it. But then we forgot about it and it was only later that we decided that we must make a film out of this. So after that, we called up Ritesh, who wrote the screenplay and it turned out to be very interesting. The thing is, even though the film has a massy narrative, it is a very unconventional film. So, it was difficult to convince the corporates.

On insecurity:

I am quite picky and I am not at all insecure about the way my life is shaping up. I learnt this lesson very early in my career. Everyone has a peculiar way of exploring their own selves, so you shouldn’t compare yourself with anybody else. When SRK was at the centrestage of the industry, Hrithik started gaining stardom at the same time. Now, SRK may or may not have felt insecure about it, but they both survived. They have their own individuality and that’s why they are still around. I want to concentrate on what’s special in me as a human being, and my connection with my audience.

Bollywood actors making it to Hollywood:

I think that it’s a new phenomenon. When I had said five years ago that we would see more people going there and making their mark, not just actors but even technicians, it did not sound credible. But now that’s exactly what is happening. You should be driven to make it there. Sometimes it might fall into your lap, but to carry that and build up a career on it is something very difficult. I think it’s Deepika and Priyanka’s drive that’s gotten them there. When you are ready to break everything you’ve created and experiment, that’s when an actor’s life gets exciting.

On how he gets his roles:

Most of them have fallen into my lap. Whenever I worked hard to get a role, I was unsuccessful in getting it. But everything took time to become the way it is now. I came here to become an actor. But I was getting bored of doing the same things on television. Warrior fell into my lap and changed my life. I was struggling to get Haasil. We used to spend every night together, but Tigmanshu didn’t think about me. It’s very embarrassing to say ‘ main karta hoon’, but still, I did it once and he refused saying, ‘ yaar, tum log television actor ho’. But then circumstances changed and it just fell into my lap too. I don’t think there’s been any role I’ve done that I’ve worked towards.

What attracts him to Hollywood:

They demand and challenge you to bring nuances, which our industry can do without. You can play regular roles here and still get away with it. There you have to dig deep and that’s what they like about the performance. You have put yourself in the line of fire. When I was doing Life of Pi, there were so many things I didn’t have a command over and learning gives you a chance to expand yourself as a human being.

What Bollywood lacks:

Bollywood lacks enterprising producers who can just understand what the market is demanding. There is a ripe audience that is demanding and begging them to give them quality entertainment. But our content makers aren’t giving them what they want and that’s why they are moving towards Hollywood. That’s why a Hollywood film gets a bigger opening even when two of our films are releasing. We need producers who can identify talent, who can put talent together and take the risk.

Meeting Tom Hanks:

It was a memorable experience not just because of the actor he is, but because of the kind of personality he has. I have seldom seen anyone so beyond his image as an actor. He is much more interested in his life than he is in his stardom.

Who is humble in Bollywood?

I haven’t worked with many Bollywood actors but Shah Rukh is a very humble man. Most people I have worked with are good human beings. My first big interaction was with Shah Rukh and the way he came across was very surprising for me. He is a very charming man and he can charm anybody. He never lied to me, he keeps his promises and I like this integrity about him.

Films he is happy to have refused:

I don’t want to name them because some of them are in theatres right now! Sometimes, it’s the director’s approach. When someone says that I am making the film for Cannes, mere uske baad kaan band ho jate hain. Once I was floored by a narration from a friend but when I went to the sets, I realised that this film wouldn’t work. I said, boss galat lag gaya, ye film gayi. When Airlift was offered to me I was already shooting for D- Day. Nikhil wanted to produce the film but I had a few reservations so I didn’t do it. But if I had done it, I don’t think it would have become that big a hit. It was because of the fact that Akshay came on board that the director expanded the budget. May be mere saath usko compromise karna padta. So may be it’s for the film’s benefit that they got Akshay. Is he, then, still not considered a massy actor? I am creating my own mass. They ( massy actors) can keep their mass and I will keep mine. But that doesn’t mean that I have to jump on the same boat to attract that mass. It has to be organic. I need to find my own people and they are growing already. I am not in a hurry to get into the ` 100-` 200 crore club. I am in a hurry to do the stuff I want to do.

Is he still interested in farming? Oh yes I am, and I have passed on that germ to my son. It’s not a hobby for me, it’s a way of life. I want to live that dream and inspire people. You give one seed to nature and that seed gives you so many seeds for free. I don’t want to live in this city, I want to come here only for interviews and go away.

Why he doesn’t like award functions:

I don’t have a need to be seen. I was forced by my well- wishers so I tried it, but it’s so boring. Award functions are so boring that you want to hit your head on the wall. Awards pe zang lag jaati hai aur unko phekna padta hai. They don’t even have your name on them and don’t add anything to you. Besides, it’s not my need to network or flaunt laurels now. Things just happen to you when they are meant to!

I have seldom seen anyone so beyond his image as an actor. He ( Tom Hanks) is much more interested in his life than he is in his stardom.