Playing Dutt was easy: Paresh Rawal

Paresh Rawal is a personality to reckon with. He has won the National Film Award for best supporting actor for, Woh Chokri and Sir. He has also received wide recognition for his villainous roles in Telugu box office hits like Kshana Kshanam and more. His upcoming Guest Inn London is all set to release, and Paresh is equally excited about playing the Late Sunil Dutt Saab in the Sanjay Dutt biopic.

As an actor who always plays strong, appealing and pivotal characters, his next film Guest Inn London seems like an encore of Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge. We quiz him on not doing any romantic roles, and he says with a smile, “If you play a hero, you get to romance, similarly, if you play a villain, love does not happen. Directors have liked my performances and hence have cast me in central characters.”

He continues, “I am just another common man. I do not possess six packs nor do I have a chocolate hero face. And I can’t dance, so I am no hero material. But yes, I possess the acting talent and hence have been able to exist in this industry. I am grateful to the makers who recognised my talent and offered me multiple roles that have added to my film biography.”

Incidentally, Paresh hates guests who overstay their welcome.

“As a host, I do not like to have guests for an extended period. These days every individual likes their own space so whenever guests visit, they must keep their stay short. I have quit drinking, and I don’t party. Hence, I like to be in my comfort zone. All professional or personal meetings happen over a cup of coffee,” he says.

Talking about Guest Inn London and Mom releasing in the same week, Paresh says he is confident. “Fortunately for us, Mom is a hard-hitting subject while Guest Inn London is an out and out comedy. Both belong to different genres and hopefully will draw their audience. The better film will do well at the B.O.”

His views on the Central Board of Film Certification are astute. “Even Tulsidas won’t be able to change their minds. However, late Director-Producer Vijay Anand and Director Shyam Benegal had made some good suggestions. I feel they need to change with the times and they should implement that at the earliest.”

His forthcoming films include Tiger Zinda Hai, Modi and the Dutt biopic. Working with Director Raju Hirani and playing the iconic Sunil Dutt has been a dream come true. “Sunil Dutt saab was a father figure to us. He was the most respected person in Bollywood and the Political arena. I not only feel fortunate but also honoured that Raju Hirani thought I could do justice to the role. Playing him is not difficult for me because he was a simple man and had no typical mannerisms. If we try to copy a person on screen and don’t do justice to it, it comes across as mimicry. I am trying my best to pay a worthwhile ode to him,” he concludes.