By Subhash K Jha
BOLLYWOOD: Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri, considered the two most formidable actors of avante garde cinema in Hindi, have done powerful films like Govinda Nihalani’s Aakrosh, Ardha Satya and Droh Kaal, Mrinal Sen’s Genesis and Ketan Mehta’s Mirch Masala.
The last time they came together was for Raj Kumar Santoshi’s China Gate in 1998.
The two pillars of the parallel cinema are together again in K C Bokadia’s Dirty Politics.
However Naseer has a grudge this time against his colleague and pal. “I’ve barely one shot with Mallika Sherawat while Om gets to do some very exciting scenes with her.”
Om plays a sleazy politician who has an affair with Sherawat’s character.
Chuckles Naseer, “Om even gets to bite Mallika’s shoulder as though it was an apple. Sadly I get no such lunch privileges in the film.”
On a more serious note Naseer is all praise for his producer-director. “Initially I thought K C Bokadia Saab would be just a commercial-minded filmmaker. But he is a lot more than just that. He is a very gracious producer and a sincere director. I enjoyed working with him. He came to me with a role that required just 4 days’ work from me. But he said he needed me to do it. I am glad I did. I enjoyed myself.”
