Just another job
Actors today seem to be a more grounded lot, especially the newcomers. Anushka Sharma, basking in the limelight after the stupendous success of her last film, insists that she is just the same old person as before. “I don’t think too many people recognise me and the few who do are very nice; may ask for an autograph but that’s it. I do not get mobbed,” she said. While Sharma believes that hard work and consistency are keys to performing well, acting was like a job. “I’m here to do a job and do it well. If and when praise comes in, I’m happy. If not then too it’s okay. I want to keep doing my best.” Sharma, a rank outsider in the industry, confesses that her schedule leaves her little time to socialise. And though she hasn’t yet met her knight in shining armour, Sharma said she is hopeful even today that someone special will come along one of these days.
Comeback trail
Remember Govinda? The actor, who once ruled the roost of Bollywood’s funny men, suddenly found himself in the cold. But now after a series of movies that bombed at the box office, he is hoping to make a comeback. “I refuse to plan anything and prefer to go with the flow,” he said. So now that he has a few movies for release, he is confident of turning the tide. He agrees that his reputation took a beating due to his attitude. “But I am more conscious now; all that has changed,” said he. “I’ve seen bad times and good times. And bad times affect you only if you let them.” Govinda is confident that he’s on a winning wicket once again. That only time and his movies will tell.
Waiting for change
He’s a chip of the old block and certainly not apologetic about it. Actor Imaad Shah seems to have not only imbibed his father Naseeruddin Shah’s acting prowess but also his love-hate relationship with the rest of Bollywood. Like his dad, the younger Shah too believes that Indian films live “50 years behind time. Indian cinema is constantly in the global focus and it is high time that quality and content improve. We should be coming out with brilliant cinema but so far we are still stuck with formula-driven films.” Shah claims he has been choosy about his projects “because I have a name and a responsibility thereof. I enjoy that challenge.” At the same time he is hopeful that the “attitude of today’s producers will change since they too seem to realise that the old formula film will not do.” This is because there are younger creative minds storming the bastion. At least that is a major difference between father and son. While one is quoted to be ready to quit the industry in disgust, the other is waiting for a major change.
