7 hours agoAuthor: Virendra Mishra
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From theater to small screen serial Office Office, Hemant Pandey proved his mettle in the role of Pandey ji. Actor Hemant Pandey, who has played memorable characters in many films like Krish and Ready, believes that the corporate mafia has bought cinema.
Hemant Pandey says that the corporate mafia does not have a good understanding of cinema. To keep the industry alive, it is very important for independent producers to remain active. Recently the actor had a special conversation with Dainik Bhaskar. Let us know what the actor said during this conversation, in his own words…
Shekhar Kapur's 'Bandit Queen' got its first film
Had a role like Decimal in Shekhar Kapur's film 'Bandit Queen'. Only I can recognize where I am in the film. In that film, payment was Rs 5000 per day. The advantage of working there was that my respect in Mandi House increased a little. After working in that film, all my senior actors Manoj Bajpayee, Nirmal Pandey and Saurabh Shukla came from Delhi to Mumbai.
Got work for Rs 500 per day in Mumbai
After working in 'Bandit Queen', my respect in Mandi House increased. I did not let that honor overpower me and I also came to Mumbai. After coming here, he got work in Shekhar Kapur's production serial 'Hum Bombay Nahi Jayenge'. This serial was directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. This serial had a good start, but one used to get Rs 500 per day for working in it.
Office Office brought popularity
During this time, I also got a good opportunity in Sony TV's show 'Taak Jhank'. After that he did many serials and films like 'To Kya Baat Hai', 'Hera Pheri'. Good times started from office office. Pandey ji's role in this got a lot of popularity. This serial ran for 8-9 years. I had also done 50-60 advertisement films. When my ad films were played in my own shows, I used to feel very happy.
When I came to Mumbai, I had to live in a chawl.
When I came to Mumbai, I initially stayed in Chembur Chawl. But he was very far away. There was a problem in getting people to meet Andheri. My batchmates from NSD had come to Mumbai. I shifted with him to PMGP Colony, Andheri East. There 8-10 boys lived in a small room. When money started coming in, he started living by sharing a room with two people.
Today we live in a flat worth Rs 4 crore
I had bought a 25 year old house in Malad for Rs. 8.25 lakhs. Today it has become a big tower in redevelopment. Its value today has become Rs 4 crore. People think that I live in a flat worth Rs. 4 crores, but where did I have that much power? If the redevelopment had not gone in, where would the flat have been worth so much? I believe that what is received is sufficient.
If you have the talent you will get opportunities.
I do not believe that there is discrimination against outsiders in the industry. Moving your family forward is a natural process. Look at any area. If a producer is making a film with his son, it is his courage and passion. I have never been part of any group. I believe that if you have the ability, you will get opportunities.
The producer gave his Maruti van in exchange for money
It is true that an actor's money gets stuck in the industry. Some producers even disappear after making a project. I had to take 35 thousand rupees from a producer. He gave his Maruti van in exchange for money. I also traveled by bus in the initial days in Mumbai. He had a different kind of joy of his own. First of all I bought a second hand scooter for Rs 5,000. Till now I have changed 11 vehicles. Right now I have XL 6 car. I am not saying that I am fond of cars, but it is a need.
Had to survive even by eating biscuits
Happiness and sorrow keep coming in life. This is life. I enjoyed life a lot even in times of sadness. Survived by eating biscuits. Since there was no money, we remained hungry throughout the day, but by evening we would meet some friend or the other and arrangements for food would be made. Becoming an actor requires a lot of sacrifice and penance. If the urge to learn remains intact, an actor always feels fresh.
No financial support from home
My father was a postman. The salary was very low at that time. In the name of bribe there was only tea and water. Father never even drank tea in the name of bribe. Even though there was no financial support, we have reached here because of the values we have received from our father. Today father has turned 90 years old. Although physically a little weak, he is mentally completely healthy. Seeing them inspires a lot.
Mother had brought 100 rupees from the neighbor.
It was a childhood story, I was going to NCC camp. Mother had borrowed Rs 100 from the neighbour. Even today the thought of asking for a loan hurts my heart. I don't tip at hotels, anywhere. Rs 100 is a great value for me. I can't spend money like this.
Theater draws me towards acting
It is often heard that something went wrong with so and so. This is not so in the industry. Be it a boy or a girl, no one can force anyone in the film industry. One cannot even look at someone in a wrong light unless the other person wants to. I have been with girls since the time of dramas. Theater destroys the attraction between a boy and a girl. Film boys have affairs, but those who come after hard work from theatre. The attraction between them ends because theater attracts them towards acting.
Corporate mafia bought cinema
I am doing 'Welcome to the Jungle' with Akshay Kumar and Vikram Bhatt's 'Haunted 2'. Shooting of some films is starting in Uttarakhand, in which I have the lead role. Earlier also he has played lead roles in many films like 'Prakash Electronic'. Those films did not do well because not enough theaters were available. Today the corporate mafia has bought cinema. He doesn't know anything about cinema.
Independent producer is necessary for the industry
There are very few independent producers who are making films. There is a great need for independent producers to keep the industry alive. Some people are making films with courage. Our endeavor is to help such producers.
Rakesh Roshan ji himself had called from the front for Krish. He himself narrated the story. It has been a good experience working with Salman Khan in Ready. Even though Pandit ji had a small role in that film, that character was liked very much by the audience. Now there is no such environment in the industry.