INTERVIEW

From being the creator of the popular ’90s Indian television series Hip Hip Hurray to working in critically acclaimed independent films like Khosla Ka Ghosla and Bheja Fry, Vinay Pathak has really come a long way. Here, he speaks about his experiences as a theatre artist, TV producer and comic actor extraordinaire. Q. Tell us about the character you play in your upcoming movie Island City? A. I play the role of a diligent office worker who wins the “Fun Committee Award”, which entitles him to an entire day of fun at work. It makes him reluctant to leave his cubicle, following which things start to happen to him. Q. What were the challenges you had to face during the making of the film? A. Making a film is a new challenge every day, but for me it’s about doing a good job of it. I have always been asked to do comic, funny roles but this is a bit different. This is neither funny nor comic, not even a very serious role. The character I am playing is one of a diligent officer but there is also humour to the whole character. The challenge was to bring out what my director wanted me to do and at the same time do something I truly believed in. Q. How do you feel about Island City winning several awards at various film festivals before its pan-India theatrical release? A. I am not surprised at all. I was the first one to be blown over when I read the script three years ago and I actually haunted Ruchika [Oberoi] to make a film out of it. She was worried about funding but the movie has finally been made. I think it should have won more awards; it has in it the elements of black comedy, which we usually don’t get to see much in Indian films. Q. How much have you thought about promoting Island City since it’s an independent film? A. We just found out about