’I can’t do the films being made today’

shaheen@mid-day.com

Playing The Lead: Nana Patekar in the Marathi film Pak Pak Pakaak

The title Pak Pak Pakaak is intriguing…
It is like a takia kalam; kids keep on saying it. We shot for the film on a start-to-finish schedule and it imbibes the true flavours of rural Maharashtra. That's what excited me. The film is about this kid and his doings.

You are doing a Marathi film after a long gap?
After ages! It's been 20 years since I acted in a Marathi film. I don't even recall which film I did last. My association with Gautam Joglekar (director) goes a very long way. I've known him as a child. I knew his parents; that's the reason I agreed to do the film and also because of its unique plot of the film.

What about the Hindi film front?
I am shooting for Prakash Jha's Apharan. I also feature in Ramesh Sippy's next to be directed by Milan Luthria and Rajkumar Santoshi's next. When I am not shooting in front of the camera, it's the other shooting for me.

You seem to be extremely focussed on pursuing shooting as a sport?
I have always loved the game. First I did not have the money to pursue it, then, I did not have the time. Now I have both time and money to do it. I practice for at least four to five times a week. I'm trying my best to improve on my scores.

Why have you almost disappeared from the Bollywood scenario?
I can't do the films that are being made today. There is no such thing as a positive or a negative role; it has to be a good role. The kind of scripts that excite me are lacking. That's why I am extremely selective. The role, the story, the film scripts.  

What about theatre?
It's a long time since I have done theatre. I last did Purush a few years ago. I wanted to stage Hayavadan. Theatre requires a lot of commitment and focus; you can't just do it otherwise.

Do you ever seen yourself doing television?
No, never. I am too lazy to commit myself day in and out to a project.

What's happening on the personal front?
I spend a greater amount of time at my Pune farmhouse than in Mumbai. I am content living in Pune now and practicing shooting. My son Malhar has now grown up. He is working with ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakar.

Does he also want to join filmdom?
I don't know. How can I say?

shaheen@mid-day.com