Shreyas is the new star
Shreyas Talpade has arrived, having broken the myth that actors from theatre and Marathi cinema can’t make it to the top in Bollywood.
This young man has what it takes to be a star. If he had the critics eating out of his hand in a sensitive film like Iqbal, he was equally at ease in a rib-tickling comedy like Apna Sapna Money Money. Now he’s all set to woo the masses with a fine lineage of films like Dil Dosti Etc, Bombay To Bangkok and Om Shanti Om.
Yes, Shreyas Talpade has arrived, having broken the myth that actors from theatre and Marathi cinema can’t make it to the top in Bollywood. CT gets up, close and personal with the actor.
From Iqbal, to Dor to Om Shanti Om how do you balance these diverse genres with aplomb?
I don’t believe in dividing films in different categories. Cinema is about entertainment you can’t just slot films into compartments.
Coming from theatre, don’t you at times feel that you have compromised your ideals on the path to commercial success?
Not really! As long as you are enjoying what you do, such negative thoughts will never bother you. Honestly speaking, I really loved doing Apna Sapna Money Money. It’s a huge high to be accepted by a large number of people.
Usually Bollywood actors downplay their marital status, but you have been happily flaunting your wife Deepti. Doesn’t that hurt your female fans?
Most people love to show off their positive points. And Deepti is one of my biggest strengths. I don’t think that hurts the female fans because most of the well-known actors are married today. It might increase the fan following.
You are supposed to be a part of MF Husain’s biographical film. But Husain’s films have generally not done well. Does that scare you?
With Husainsaab being out of the country, the work has stalled on that front. He’s a living legend. I am sure a lot of people would be interested to know more about him and his colourful life. And it’s an honour to be a part of a film conceived by the great man.
You are also playing the main lead in Shyam Benegal’s new film…
Mr Benegal is an institution in his own right. I am quite nervous because I don’t want to let him down. This nervousness will remain till the first shot is okayed.
How’s the chemistry with Amrita Rao, your heroine in Benegal’s film?
The rehearsals have already started and two of us really hit it off from the word ‘go’. There’s a visible chemistry that we share, although I personally think Bipasha is the sexiest woman in Bollywood today. Malaika Arora Khan comes a close second.
And how was it working with Shah Rukh in Om Shanti Om?
I am not supposed to talk much about my role except that I am playing one of the five main characters. Working with King Khan was really superb. He and I would improvise so much on the sets that Farah actually shouted at us for changing her script. Shah Rukh doesn’t mind giving his own lines to others, to improve the scene.
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