It’s not even a week since Talvar's release and Irrfan Khan is back with another thriller Jazbaa co-starring Aishwarya Rai. He tells Neeti Nigam why he enjoys doing “paisa vasool” films and why he is upset that undeserving films were sent to the Oscars
How challenging was it to play a cop in Jazbaa. How different was it fromTalvarIJ
InJazbaa, I am playing a role of a suspended cop while inTalvar I was with CBI. I have acted in films that make you think, but this is a cool action thriller, a complete paisa vasool film. I am looking for entertainment rather than playing a challenging character. There are important issues raised in both the films but unlike Talvar, they aren’t dealt in the same way in this flick. You’ll get an item number feeling in this film. I have done some action scenes as well.
You have worked with A-league actresses who are experimenting with different genre of films...
Actresses are becoming ambitious about doing good performances. look how beautifully did Deepika (Padukone) played Piku. Around 20 years back, an actress would not have dared to sign a film if it doesn’t have songs and dance but now, they are doing brilliant cinema which is a healthy sign. look at Priyanka Chopra, she is doing international projects. So you have to act to get meaty roles. There has to be experimentation or else you won’t grow.
Why do you think good content is acceptable nowIJ
Over the last few years, multiplexes have seen phenomenal growth. Also, a whole new generation of audience has come up that are changing the way we look at cinema. This is a smart generation which you can’t fool. There are intelligent enough to relate to things. My 10-year-old son saw Talvar and he loved it. He asked right questions about the film that surprised me.
How much of creative liberties were taken in TalvarIJ
Nothing. Only Tabu and my chapter had been created, else everything is the same. In fact, the lines have been picked from the real characters’ conversations.
You have always managed to get good roles in Hollywood as well. How have you worked the Hollywood formulaIJ
You have to find your own formulas. There is no short cut to success and I have never applied them in my career. Formula is like fast food and I don’t believe in it.
Do you think Court is a right entry for OscarsIJ
Court is a good film. I haven’t seen other films so I can’t talk about them. There should be a body that should be concerned about choosing the right film and sending it to an important platform like the Oscars. There is a huge competition out there and we don’t know how many films will compete against it. But, at least, we should pitch in good films from our end. In the past, we have sent films that were embarrassing.