How was it to work with Hansal Mehta for the third time in AligarhIJ
It is always a challenge for me when I work with Hansal Mehta. He pushes an actor’s boundaries to get the best out of them. Because he has seen me in his films Shahid and Citylights, it was a challenge that I didn’t repeat my performance. He gives a lot of freedom to the actors to do justice with their characters and it helped me bring in that different quotient.
This is the first time you are playing a journalist...
Deepu is a listener in this film. He is not a doer. He is essaying how the society behaves today and tries to tell us how we should treat everyone. Though playing Deepu was not a challenge, what was beautiful for me was the fact that I am there as someone who listens to others.
What prompted you to say yes to this filmIJ
It’s the most beautiful script I’ve read this far. I knew what kind of film Hansal would make out of it. When I got to know that Manoj Bajpai would be playing Professor Siras, I knew it was a dream team and I didn’t want to miss this chance.
Any scene which left a great impact on youIJ
It happens with me a lot of times and in this film as well where I experienced that truthful moment. There is a scene where Deepu gets news that something terrible has happened. I was living my life as Deepu and everything came to me very naturally. I felt a strong connect from within and the scene left an impact on me.
What message does this film give outIJ
It’s not about being gay or lesbian or heterosexual. It’s about being human and to have that right to freedom and choice in life. We are all same. It’s our action that makes us different. Who we sleep with has nothing to do with our personality.
Did you talk to a lot of homosexual people to get their side of the storyIJ
I’ve a lot of gay friends. Some of them live in their shell because of the fear of being labeled criminals as per the law. There is nobody to hear them and accept them as they are. Nobody should be allowed to barge into anyone’s bedroom.
What are the things that have stayed with youIJ
Prof Siras’ journey has moved me as an actor and as an individual. I could understand the pain that the homosexuals go through. I never judged anyone but now I’m even more firm that there is nothing to be judged. We should not really categorise people in any bracket.
The Supreme Court has referred the petition to a five-judge constitutional bench....
I’m hopeful that we are able to ride this phase as fast as possible. Just because a person is homosexual, you are calling him a criminal. The moment we get the law in our favour, the society will hopefully change its viewpoint. Only then will gays and lesbians come out and talk about it without any fear. And others will have to accept them as they are. As a nation we should go forward.
Any other film in the pipelineIJ
I’ve finished a film by Vikramaditya Motwane. It’s is something which has not been done before and has challenged me as an actor. Another film is Shimla Mirchi by Ramesh Sippy which is a light hearted romantic drama.