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Rising to the challenge

June 15, 2018 01:45 pm | Updated 01:45 pm IST

EMBRACING THEATRE: Raza Murad

Known for playing a wide variety of roles, in Hindi films for the past five decades, Raza Murad has left no stone unturned to establish himself as a great performer. This time, surprising all his admirers, he has changed his genre altogether and decided to perform live on stage in Delhi’s popular Luv Kush Ramleela as Subahu and demonstrate that he still has the stamina as an actor to take up this role.

Excerpts:

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What brought you to this form of acting?

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It is quite challenging to face the audience directly and I always had this complex that I play very safe. When you shoot for a film, mistakes become very easy to manage. If you fumble, a retake can mend it all. You always have another chance , whereas when you work on the stage, you have to be extremely careful. There is no second chance as such. So I just wanted to meet this challenge that whether I can do this or not.

If we talk about theatre, why did you choose Ramleela?

When we talk about Ramleela, I believe it is a bigger challenge. It requires a different kind of diction, and one has to master chaste Hindi words. So it is a challenge for me to test these waters. Also breaking the Hindu-Muslim stereotype is very important for me as I believe in Ramayana.

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What are your views about the changing patterns of acting these days?

I think things are changing for better. Previously, the acting used to be loud, stagy and exaggerated. But now the new actors are camera friendly, they are very natural because in our times we never had any script reading sessions. Now that it is a practice, it helps them to understand the plot, their role and their co-actors’ role. It leads to proximity between actors. You understand the psychology of the role you are playing and it reflects in performance.

Have you ever categorised your form of acting?

No. I am a product of the Film and Television Institute of India, so I never categorised my roles, but yes I was typecast by the producers and the directors as a villain. Those films worked at the box office and my work was appreciated. Every actor wants to be versatile; everyone wants to do something different. But that’s why they say that beggars cannot be choosers. I cannot choose the roles that I get, but I can choose to work hard and do justice to my role, and give my hundred per cent.

What is the message that you will pass on to the youth who want to make a career in film industry?

Talking about showbiz, if you are entering into it, you need to know yourself. You should know your capabilities, so that when you take the plunge as a professional actor you should have all the abilities, talent and a strong will power. Here, I will say that there are a very limited number of established actors in the industry. So to be one like them, you need to recognise that talent in yourself. There is no harm in giving a try, but set a time period for the struggle. And if the things don’t materialise then you need to change yuor priorities.

When you thrive for success, you certainly require three things - you should be talented, hard working and lastly lucky to attain what you have wished for.

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