Be it playing a gangster in Chhal, a collegiate in Mudda, an industrialist in Udaan, a serial killer in Murder 2 or working in TV shows Farz, Shagun, Bandini and Phulwa, Prashant Narayanan has done and seen it all. He is back after three years to play a gangster in Encounter on Sony. He talks to Sangeeta Yadav about his journey and movie experiments
What role are you playing in EncounterIJ
I’m playing Shamsher Bhopali, a sharp shooter. He carries a deck of cards to predict the outcome of the kill. If the cards are not in his favour, he defers the killing. But there is a softer side to him as well. He is in love and wants to fulfill his girlfriend, a junior actress aspiring for superstardom. For this, he threatens the producers. Meanwhile, he is given a supari to kill a VIP but inspector Nitin gets wind of it, leading to Bhopali’s encounter.
Don’t you fear being typecast as an anti-heroIJ
In every anti-hero role, I’ve tried to do something new. There are distinct features like body language, diction etc where I try to bring in my own style. It’s not that I have always played an anti-hero. In films like Mr Singh Mrs Mehta, Mudda and Udaan, my roles have been different. The producers offer me negative roles because they feel I am good at them. This is in my favour.
Are you choosy about rolesIJ
I play roles which excite me and which I enjoy. I opt for projects which are more productive for me as an actor. But I don’t have any set parameters. I also don’t go out and ask for work. If the opportunity comes, I consider it. If work doesn’t come to me, there are others things to work on. I have a production house that keeps me busy. I have also taught and worked as a manager at a restaurant. In that sense, I am multi-talented.
What projects is your production house is doingIJ
I have made my first half-hour short film Cinema Ki Aakh. I’m also in the process of making my first feature film to will be screened at the international film festivals. That’s because I’m experimenting as a producer. I hope that the work I do will attract investors in India as well. I’m also working with a few music directors.
How was it working with directors Govind Nihalani, Shyam Benegal, Shashanka Ghosh and German director Florian GallenbergerIJ
All the directors and actors I have worked with have taught me a lot. But I am not influenced by them. I do what I believe in.
What do your parents think of your workIJ
When I tell my parents that I have signed a project, the first question they ask is ‘are you going to live or die in the endIJ’ This is because in 80 per cent of the projects, I end up dead.
Do looks matter in getting a hero’s roleIJ
It’s not about looks. What matters today is how good one’s PR is. Agencies work 24x7 to promote an actor. However, in the end, one has to have talent to make it to the top. If people like the kind of work I do, projects will come my way. There is no need to promote myself.