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At home in exile

Television star Alyy Khan discusses movie matters with NANDINI NAIR

BEYOND TELLYWOOD Alyy Khan says it is impossible for an actor to get work in the U.K. without an agent

Alyy Khan's face is more familiar than his name. A common face from Indian television and theatre, Khan, though, is now settled in London in "exile", and explains that he's married to a girl from Pakistan and he has a British passport.

Recently in New Delhi for the Teacher's Award, Khan mentions that he has just finished the third schedule for A Mighty Heart, the much awaited movie on journalist Daniel Pearl's life, which also features Hollywood heartthrob Angelina Jolie. The movie has been shot variously in Pakistan, Pune and Mumbai. He admits that he has not shared screen time with Jolie, but adds that he has seen her operate as an actor.

Easy transition

Having worked for 15 years in Bollywood, Khan seems at ease with his transition to international productions. Asked about the differences, he says, "Essentially it's the same. But there's a difference in attitude and professionalism." He explains that in England it's impossible to work without an agent. Actors only worry about the acting, while agents take care of the business aspect. It's unlike India where producers have to be stalked for cheques. While he might be enjoying the work, he insists, "This is my country, I love it. I come here often."

Khan speaks with excitement about Sharpe's Challenge with the likes of Sean Bean (of The Lord of the Rings and GoldenEye) and Padma Lakshmi. Khan plays the role of Lt. Mohan Singh. He is a cavalry captain, with a rather dramatic role. The programme was aired on ITV (UK).

With a diploma in film/video production from London, Khan is well acquainted with the technical aspects of cinema. He has made public service messages for different organisations on issues like the pulse polio campaign. While he might often feel that a director is not getting it quite right, he says, "The happiest actor is one who follows the director. It's best to follow the director's vision."

First love

But Khan's first love is still theatre. He elaborates the difference between the mediums: "In an auditorium, you have a captive audience. They are watching you and watching every nuance. While for television or a movie, one might be absorbed in a scene, but from ones peripheral vision one can see the make-up artist scratch himself. And that ruins ones concentration!"

He says that he has been "fortunate to get macho serious parts" for stage like Hamlet and Laxman. His favourite role to date is still Hamlet, which he did around 10 years ago while working with Hima Kala Kendra.

Khan says simply, "I owe my life to Hima Devi. She was my guru." Talking about the play, he says, "There are so many conflicts and layers to the character. But once we cracked it, the energy was awesome."

While Khan might say he's in "exile", he also makes clear that life has not changed.

"I go to the masjid every Friday in Mumbai, I do the same in London."

He slips effortlessly into Hindi, "Khaana, peena, rehna, poshaan,ek ki hain."

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