Zakir Hussain, a well known face in Hindi cinema, is all set to promote his upcoming film Meinu Ek Ladki Chaahiye . A small town boy from Uttar Pradesh with dreams of making it big on Indian television, Hussain is an NSD graduate who did a lot of theatre during his earlier years before entering the TV industry. His fine performances got him a small role in Shriram Raghvan’s film Ek Hasina Thi (2004). His two act long role in the movie attracted Ramgopal Varma’s eyes, who cast the actor in his famous movie Sarkar (2005) as Rashid.
Zakir, who believes that each role is difficult, was rather excited about his role as Rashid in Sarkar . “To create Rashid was difficult. I had to do a lot of research to design my character. I was a bit nervous as well because I had to prove myself.” This movie is special to him for many reasons including his admiration for Amitabh Bachchan. Expressing his joy on working with the legendary actor, Zakir says, “What is unique is that he keeps on thinking about how to improve his work. Working with him is like working with an institution”.
On the kind of roles that interest him, Zakir says, “Having done a lot of theatre, I believe that I can handle anything. I go with the character.”
He has a hopeful perspective on the younger generation of actors. “Senior people have their own aura and experience but the next generation is more hard-working. Things have changed. Look at Ritesh (Deshmukh) and Arshad (Warsi). They are so involved in their work. Their ways are different from ours. They laugh on the sets, play pranks, but are so committed towards their work that they apologise even if they are just two minutes late for the shoot”.
He truly believes that cinema has changed a lot during the years. “Today it is different. People show respect and appreciate each other’s work. No one cares whether they are working with a newcomer or a senior actor or even their contemporaries.”
He also thinks that there is a marked difference between earlier films and present productions. “Now films are story based. Earlier movies were based on a set pattern where there would be a hero and a heroine and a lot of family drama. Now movies include social and emotional content in the plot.”
Zakir wants to confine himself to acting only. “I can do a lot of other things. Commercial designing, interior decoration, a little singing and I do play tabla; but I don’t want to be involved in a film other than as an actor.”
