Naseeruddin Shah On Rishi Kapoor & Irrfan

If there is one  actor in  our film   industry  who  speaks  his mind as frankly as  Rishi  Kapoor  it is  Naseeruddin Shah. The  actor-extraordinaire  is  not likely to gush over  an actor  just because he is no  more.

In a corpse-worshipping nation Naseer comes across as  refreshingly  candid when  I ask him about Rishi  Kapoor.

Says  Naseer, “Rishi Kapoor’s youthful films, I have to say, didn’t grab me and I don’t think I saw any apart from Bobby, and Dimple had a lot to do with people liking Bobby!So I can’t really comment on the early part of his career.”

However  Naseer admires  the emotional  truthfulness Rishi brought to his  performances. “Apart from being very truthful emotionally he was always vibrant and energetic in  films like  Amar Akbar Anthony and Karz.”

And  Naseer  loved the way  Rishi  embraced  his growing years. “It was great to see him maturing with age and beginning to take risks and getting the kind of parts where he could extend himself. I particularly liked him in Kapoor & Sons.”

As  for  Irrfan , Naseer is unconditionally  appreciative  of his fellow-actor’s talent.

Says  Naseer, “Irrfan I consider an unusual talent, a unique actor and a greatly caring human being. Apart from them both dying young the really tragic thing is both had a great deal to look forward to in their lives and their work  but  as  the poet Robert Burns said, the best laid plans of mice and men often  go askew.”