Sixty and satisfied

Actor Nana Patekar

Y ou played Sadhu Agashe, a tough, fit cop inAb Tak Chhappan. What about inAb Tak Chhappan 2? Did you need to work on your physique for this film too?

I didn’t. Sadhu Agashe needed to look plump and haggard in this film. He is now 60 — as old as I am. He is retired from the police force, and somehow, disillusioned. He drinks, eats and deals with the guilt of not being able to save his wife. He lives with his son in Goa and cares for him. Sadhu is now lost. The focus here is on his mind. It’s more an emotional journey now; he is now dealing with complex, intelligent, organised crime but on his own terms.

What’s your approach towards acting?

First, you need to learn the ropes: you need to study the craft, and explore all aspects of it. Once it’s done, I would advise that you forget all of it. The spontaneity of a performance has to show. It has to look natural. However you approach a role, it has to come from within. While I like reading books, I love reading people a lot more. It helps to adapt mannerisms of real people, as you don’t ever end up looking like a caricature.

As an actor, you have gone for variety with films such asParinda,Krantiveer, andRaju Ban Gaya Gentleman. Was it to create a unique place in Bollywood for yourself? This is especially relevant now, at a time when retinues manage acting careers.

I don’t think you need a retinue. I don’t want to be in the papers every day. If people forget me, my work will remind them of me. Publicity, for its sake, doesn’t last. Your body of work is what matters. What I enjoy a lot though is committing to a social cause, and speaking about it. There’s a direct connect to people there.

You have become more selective about your films recently.

You get tired as an actor. If a script does not excite you, why do it just to make money? I have enough and live comfortably. Why work for the sake of it? I am not a coolie right?

You look lean and fit now. Is this for your production,Natsamrat? We also hear there are plans to direct another film.

I have had to lose 9 kg for Natsamrat , the Marathi film that I am also acting in. My son, Malhar Patekar, is heading the production. The role I’m playing in it is iconic. From when I was 25, I have kept this character close and lived it. It’s a character that actors can play only when they mature. As a youngster, I watched Shreeram Lagoo play it on stage. Mahesh Manjrekar offered me the part, and now I am almost obsessed with it. We are currently producing it in Marathi, and will make it in Hindi too. Mahesh wanted to cast Amitabh Bachchan in the Hindi version but I feel differently. I might just act in Hindi too.

I will also direct and act in another Hindi film about a World War II veteran in his fifties who communicates through his puppets. He is also a loner who falls in love with a young girl.

I miss the old days. I miss the depth in stories, and in films. Today, there’s much emphasis on skin show and vulgar lyrics. The beauty of cinema is missing. Or maybe I am just getting old!