Sanjay Mishra: I try to fulfill my responsibility towards society
Sanjay Mishra proved that he can carry an entire film on his shoulder by his brilliant acting in ‘Ankhon Dekhi’ and ‘Angrezi Mein Kahte hain’
Sanjay Mishra is awell-known and revered name in the Hindi film industry. After struggling for years, he was able to prove his mettle as an actor with ‘Golmaal’ and ‘PhansGaye Re Obama’. He proved that he can carry an entire film on his shoulder byhis brilliant acting in ‘Ankhon Dekhi’ and ‘Angrezi Mein Kahte hain’. In an exclusive interview with Raviraj Sinha,he talks about his struggle, personality and his craft
Tell us about your career. How did it all start?
I was an artist right since my childhood, and just needed a direction like anyother young man. Doing a 9 to 6 job was not my cup of tea and any other art like music, poetry, writing and painting takes a lot of time. I am a little lazy for that. So only acting was left which I found closer to me, not just fora career but also generally acting seemed closer to my nature. So I just started in this direction. National School of Drama happened and then the struggle in Mumbai which is continuing even now: the struggle to prove myself,to do something different from the beaten track.
What is the difference between the Mumbai film industry and the world of theatre in Delhi? How is acting in a film different from acting in a play? Often we have heard people saying that working in theatre is more satisfying
I am mainly an actor for the cinema. Cinema was there in my mind right from the beginning. National School of Drama was the place which gave me a solid footing, and a clear idea about what acting is and how it should be. The major difference between the theatre in Delhi and in Mumbai is that the theatre in Mumbai is far more professional and commercial than Delhi. Delhi theatre scene seems to me a little immature; where you write your play, you only organise to perform it and then invite or rather request people to come and watch it. Whereas in Mumbai, people invest a lot of money on plays. There are 200 shows of a play. It’s quite commercial there. But Hindi theatre couldn’t be that commercial. In Mumbai theatre, artists get enough money to earn their living,but in Delhi artists can’t survive on just theatre. This is the biggest difference between Delhi and Mumbai theatre.
There is a lot of difference between acting on stage and acting for cinema. In theatre, only you and your acting are there on stage whereas in movies, thereare various lenses also with you and you have to understand the way the selenses will show your emotions.
Please tell us a little about your upcoming film ‘Kamyaab’.
Every person has a dream; as we near the 50th year of life, we think of completing a century. If you have done 99 roles, you would like to complete 100 roles by the time you reach the 50th year. It doesn’t make a difference to the outside world how many characters you have performed. But like Sachin Tendulkar or any other cricketer, if they have made 99 runs, they would like to complete a century.And when they complete a century, the entire world lauds them. This century becomes an example for the world. So, with this film, I also want to prove to the world and more to my family that see, I have done 500 films. This is the gist of the story of this film.
You have performed various roles from a villain to a comedian, to a sensitive father and an intricate middle aged man…How do you prepare for these roles?
See, I don’t read the scripts. Whatever the scriptwriter tells me about the character about how he has perceived the character, I prepare myself according to that. I watch the director too very closely and try follow his instructions.For example, for a blind person’s role, I am advised to watch various films where blind characters are there. But I don’t watch those films. Because I feel that if I watch those films I will start copying them. What director tells me I try following that and visualise myself as a blind person.
What are your upcoming projects and films?
Kaamyaab is going to be released soon. After that there is a film called Gwalior. It’s also nearing completion. It’s a beautiful film and I am working with Neena Gupta in this film. Then there is Sunday which is a different kind of film. I am very happy that this film was shot in Bihar but it’s not a Bhojpuri film. After that, there is another film Holy Cow which is focused on a socially relevant subject. Then there is Colour Black.All these films are good, content-rich films. The interesting thing is tha tShah Rukh Khan is presenting Kaamyaab. He is the one managing everything. If the film works and the director and producer get some money,then this film will be called ‘kammyaab’ (successful).
You never felt attracted towards Bhojpuri films, particularly since you belong to Bihar?
No, never. Because those films never felt suitable to my sensibilities. There is a lot of good literature in Bhojpuri and Purvanchal but those were never touched upon by Bhojpuri films.
As an actor what kind of responsibility do you think you have towards society? Do other actors too think they have some responsibility towards society or this has merely become a profession today?
Look, as an actor whatever my work is, I do that, so as to make the society aware. Int his regard, I consider myself successful. I made first film on climate change Kadvi Hawaa, conveying that climate change is not a good thing. We have moved so farther away on a path of pomp and show that we have been ignoring environment and nature. It’s now up to the society to think how to conserve whatever we are left with. Holy Cow is also on a socially relevant subject. And I am standing there strongly with the responsibility I have towards society and will continue to do so. I have been trying to fulfil my responsibility towards society. We should at least keep an aim in our lives that we have to do something for the society. Amitabh Bachchan ji too is doing so keeping hisacting alive in the society today. He doesn’t need to do anything and if he wants he can spend his life comfortably. But no, he has made his acting a tool to do something for the society. This also is an integral part of the social consciousness which I have tried to portray in my film Kaamyaab.
Digital medium has changed quite a lot of things in the world of visual medium. What do you think about it?
I was asked this question 25 years ago too when with the changing time, many TV channels started along with Doordarshan. At that time, I had said that this entire game is centred on a ‘remote’. Television can also turn to be boring.This is a good platform and good content should come on it. Now digital is a good platform for those who cannot get their films released.
The atmosphere is very different today. Nobody is untouched by politics today. It was so earlier too but today the situation is very clear and right in front of us. What do you think about the relationship of arts with politics?
See, whatever politics is there, it is meant for human being that people remain happy and peacefully. Everyone wants it. And I too am a strong supporter of it.Now is the time to move forward, it’s not the time for busying ourselves in power sharing. If you want to make India ‘vishva guru’ then you have to move forward, work honestly and not indulge in this power game. People come and tell me that sir, rioting and violence is going on in this area and you are promoting your film. I say, we are doing our job. Nobody’s work stops. If you stop working, then everything will disappear.
I feel sad when I hear that nobody is safe anymore in this country. This country is known by the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and not by some political leaders of today. The country doesn’t work on emotions. Everyone should have a job, and food to eat: now is the time to think about this. What more can I say on the environment today? The riots which took place in Delhi are very disappointing and depressing.
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Published: 08 Mar 2020, 1:00 PM