30 minutes agoAuthor: Indresh Gupta
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Actor Adil Hussain, who has become a favorite of many makers for patriotic or spy-based films and shows, was recently seen in the film 'Uljh'. Before this, he has also appeared in the 'Mukhbir' series and the film 'Bellbottom'. There was a special discussion with him on many issues including 'Uljh'…
How did you come on board for 'Uljh'? What is your character in it? What were your preparations like?
Preparation for a character is a lifelong process. I have lived in a tribal village, and since I live in Delhi, I keep meeting people from the country and abroad in diplomatic circles. What I liked about this film is how people are ready to sacrifice their lives for their country.
He may be our enemy in our country but he is a hero in their country. This story has been woven in such a complex world. I liked it very much. My character in this is the permanent representative of India in the UN. My character's name is Dhanraj Bhatia.
Adil Hussain with Janhvi in a scene from the film 'Uljh'.
While working with Janhvi, did you give her any guidance? Was there any discussion about Sridevi?
I believe that co-actors should not give guidance. I always tell my juniors that if they need guidance, they should take it from the director. Only the director's vision should be executed.
My first meeting with Janhvi was in 2011. Sridevi and I were shooting for 'English Vinglish'. Janhvi used to come to the set there. She used to sit quietly in a corner on the set. She used to watch the shooting. So during the shooting of 'Uljh', I saw that Janhvi also works with focus and dedication like Sridevi ji.
Adil Hussain with Janhvi Kapoor's mother and late actress Sridevi in a scene from the film 'English Vinglish'.
You have been a part of many spy projects. Does this genre excite you more?
Since childhood I used to read Bengali detective series. The place where I was born is a border district near Bengal. Books based on detective work used to come from there. There used to be a character named Deepak Chatterjee in it, so I think everyone in the world likes detective stories.
It is not that I ever wanted to become a spy and I started getting work in films in the same way. Yes, I would definitely say that my face is very common, only people with such common faces mingle with people in an unknown place. So this is also a reason why makers cast me in such films.
Was there ever any discussion with the makers of 'Jasoos Vijay' about its second season? Is there any preparation for the next season of 'Mukhbir'?
Now what can I say on this. There was no such discussion but when I played the role of the police commissioner in the series 'Delhi Crime', that was it. I know as much about the next season of 'Mukhbir' as you do. I had heard that something is being planned but I have not received anything concrete yet. There is a discussion on this, maybe it is being written as well but apart from this, nothing else has been revealed.
Adil with Om Puri in a scene from the show 'Jasoos Vijay' aired on DD1.
Has the mindset regarding the selection of stories remained the same before and now or does it change?
The only change is that as you become more experienced, you develop the ability to read and understand characters more deeply. I try to understand how much time I will spend doing a particular story. How many days will I have to stay away from my family.
The amount of money I am getting, the dates I have to give to the makers, is everything okay in terms of that or not. So, in the direction of art, I need some satisfaction and I also get some money. These two things should not dominate each other. It is better if art dominates but money should not dominate. I believe this.
In the era of OTT, do you find satisfaction regarding the length of the character or freedom in acting?
I have done only three to four series. I did not play long roles in them as well. The reason is that I am not able to stay away from home for long. Many times the makers ask for 70-70 days. It becomes difficult to give so many dates and stay in Mumbai or somewhere else.
However, I like watching series on OTT. For example, I have watched the series of my close friend Rajesh Tailang. We also worked together in 'Uljh'. So, there is a space for this kind of actors on OTT.
Janhvi and Adil have worked together for the first time in the film 'Uljh'.
When offers come for negative or positive roles, what comes to mind first?
For me, the story is the most important thing. If a story shows the mirror to the society in any way and takes it forward, then I have no problem in doing a negative role in it. But if someone glorifies negative roles or violence, then I do not take part in such a project.
