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We need to drive the image that our country is a free-thinking society: Irrfan Khan
Updated on: 18 July, 2016 12:07 PM IST |
As the thinking man’s actor, Irrfan Khan gears up for his next release, ‘Madaari’, Team Radio City caught up with the talented actor over a candid chat about his new film and what does he feel about the audience being more receptive towards content-driven cinema.
Everyone is talking about ‘Madaari’ since the release of the trailer? What’s your take on the reactions?
Irrfan: ‘Madaari’ is a combination of a thriller and an emotional story. There is also a humorous plot interlaced in between. Normally, people love to reveal a bit of everything in the trailer itself but thankfully, we haven’t given away much.
There have been movies that have been attempted with the similar theme. So what is the catch in this one?
Irrfan: We were narrated an incident similar to the story by Shailaja who is a friend of my wife Sutapa. So when we heard her story, it stayed on with us. Later, when we narrated Nishikant Kamat, the story, he gave us his nod and that’s how we decided to go ahead with this film.
Are you an emotional person in reality as well?
Irrfan: I am an emotional person by nature. I remember feeling bad when I used to meet a friend and when he would leave, I would get upset. So I used to hide in a corner and cry. laughs
Is that how you found out that there is an actor in you?
Irrfan: No, I still don’t figure an actor in me. I was trying to see myself in sports. I wanted to get into cricket but then I was quick to find out that there was no support for the same. I wanted to earn a few quick bucks and I was selected in a tournament. Then somehow when that did not take off, I decided to turn into films. While watching a few films of Dilip Kumar saab and Mithunda, it struck me that maybe I could pursue this. Then suddenly out of the blue, somebody came telling me about drama school. So I decided to take up drama at National School of Drama, Delhi because I did not want to come to Mumbai without any formal training. I believe that when your dreams and aspirations are tough, then life gives you ways to fulfil them.
Talking about the music of the film, we believe that the music of the film is one of the best we’ve heard in a while. Your take?
Irrfan: Its the first time that music composer Vishal Bharadwaj and lyricist Irshad Kamil have come together for a film. So they’ve composed the Damaru song which I believe can find a connect among the youth. One can dance to it and talk about it. Initially while composing the song, we gave a certain brief to Vishal sir for the song but then he told me that he wanted to compose the song as per his flow. So he went into a music festival and he chanced upon a certain tune which he decided to implement it in the composition.
We do not have much songs coming out with great lyrics these days. What do you think?
Irrfan: We do emphasise on strong and thoughtful lyrics. Gibberish will fare the way they do. I won’t say that there aren’t good lyricists today. There are, but, very few good songs laced with good lyrics are being written.
Is there anything about the movie that was outside your comfort zone?
Irrfan: There were some intense and emotional scenes which i chose not to enact initially but somehow I gave into it. All I believe is that unless and until you’re not sceptical or doubtful then you won’t be able to challenge yourself.
Was there a time that you got bored of what you did?
Irrfan: Yes, I did during my television stint. As I felt that the situation and the settings remained the same for days and there was no scope for creativity.
So what was the budget and duration of the film?
Irrfan: The budget wasn’t much yet we managed to shoot it in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Srinagar, Bombay, Delhi and we completed the shoot within three to four months. But the climax was the toughest part to shoot as we had to make it unique.
How much is it important to not be preachy in a film?
Irrfan: We should refrain from doing that as I myself cannot relate to a preachy film. Because the public comes to watch a film to get entertained and not to learn a lesson.
Why have you remained off social media especially when you come across as such a thoughtful person?
Irrfan: Trouble is that we are an easy target. Secondly, Ive seen that suddenly everyone has an army of fans and followers ready to attack you and quiet you down. We are responsible for what we speak and think. I remember going to Singapore recently for the promotions of ‘Inferno’ and our censor board was being discussed on the front page of their entertainment daily. Point is that we as a country need to be responsible and we need to drive the image that our country is a free-thinking society.
What is the one thing that the audience can look forward to in this film?
Irrfan: I will not like to point out one thing. There are several messages that the film wants to drive but I will leave it to the audience as to what have they understood while watching the film.
Suddenly there is a demand for heroes who can act apart from being worshipped. How do you see that?
Irrfan: The credit for that goes to the audience. There is an audience who is interested in the masala flicks as usual but there is a rise in the intelligent audience as well. They want to be entertained with good films. So either they get their money’s worth or they will turn to Hollywood. Which is already happening as Hollywood is making story-oriented films and is making business as well.
Is that what you think has also led to the rise of regional cinema given the example of the success met by ‘Sairat’?
Irrfan: Absolutely. I, infact, arranged a screening for my son and his friends and their parents of the movie and it is wonderful to see how regional cinema keeps giving us one outstanding film, every year. If given a chance, I would love to do a Marathi film and I will not shy away from it. Bollywood too has suddenly woken up to the potential of regional cinema so I believe that there are good days ahead for all of us at the cinemas.