The versatile Paresh Rawal in conversation with us

“I would love to be called as a theatre actor.”

Dharam Sankat Mein is yet another movie which raises question on the blind following of religions and its customs. It is a soft way to make people realize that religion has been made by humans and humanity is the only religion existing since ever. In conversation with Paresh Rawal, who is the leading character of this movie, we got to know his perspective on religion and also about his future projects:

Do you see ‘Ek Paheli Leela’ coming as a competition for Dharam Sankat Mein?

Every film has its own market so I don’t see it as a competition to our movie.

Since Dharam Sankat Mein is an Indian adaptation of British comedy film, Infidel, did you watch the movie?

I think when you like something it stays in your mind and your creativity gets hampered, so I prefer not to watch the movie on which my script is based.

So would we see you in such roles only from now on?

I am not just focusing on such genres. I am starting with the shooting of Hera Pheri 3 this week. I want to do meaningful cinema and would like to spread a message that I am ready to work on a lesser fee provided the script is appealing.

Apart from Hera Phera 3, I am also doing a bio-pic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose shoot would start from August this year and OMG- Part 2 with the same cast as of first part.

Did you have to do any homework for Dharam Pal role?

After so many years of experience, one does not need to do any sort of homework for a role. As far as, Narendra Modi’s bio-pic is concerned, we are doing our own job to understand his sense of styling, speech and so on, like we did at the time of movie Sardar. I try to capture the spirit but not mimic since no matter what we do; we are not going to be them. I have met Narendra Modi a lot of times, however, haven’t had any discussion with him.

How was the experience of working with Naseeruddin Shah and Annu Kapoor?

It is always a joy-ride to work with him. I always get to learn from him. To work with good people is really fun. Who gets the chance to have a picnic time and being paid for it?

How was the experience of enacting two different religions in the same movie?

I believe that whatever poison India-Pakistan has between them it is just because of misconception. So, I think if we inculcate the knowledge and values of both the religions in our children since childhood, make them read Quran, Bible, Gita and so on, then at least the kids would not be misguided at the impressionable age. And it has become really important to know about each other’s culture and religion because we have been staying as neighbors since ever. These days’ societies have scrunched but none of us knows about who is staying next to us. There is nothing much more devastating than commenting on someone’s religion without having complete knowledge.

What have you learnt being a parliamentarian?

The fact that a single issue can be talked and looked on from different perspective is what I have learnt being a parliamentarian.

Any other issues that you think need focus?

Education and Sanitation are the issues that require attention. It is quite shocking that even after being under rule of Britishers for around 150 years we haven’t learned sanitation. I think this is because we don’t love our country; we clean our houses but not our colony and surroundings. The day we forget the religions, caste etc. that’s when the Swachchta Abhiyaan would work.

Further ending the conversation with us, Paresh Rawal said that Indians misuse freedom and we aren’t ready for it. We should have been under control for a little longer time. He also pointed out the difference in working culture of Bollywood back then and now. He says the actors now are more dedicated, hardworking, professional, punctual and health conscious.