Of the few actors in the Hindi film industry who can carry a potent, author-backed role with super ease, Ajay Devgan finds mention. Films like Gangajaal, Apaharan, Yuva, Omkara and Main Aisa Hi Hoon testify the fact.
Now, once again in his upcoming Rajkumar Santoshi film, Halla Bol releasing on 21 December, Devgan will be seen essaying a film star who gets caught between his human self on one side and his corrupted superstar image on the other.
Agreed, the year 2007 hasn’t been good for the actor so far with releases like Cash and Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, however this twice National Award winning actor is gung ho to declare Halla Bol.
Here’s Devgan in conversation with Businessofcinema.com waxing eloquent on his forthcoming film and how it was not-so-easy to play a film star onscreen.
Excerpts:
You play a film star in your upcoming film Halla Bol, meaning attack. How do the two factors of a film star and an attack blend together?
As the title says, Halla Bol is to raise your voice. The story is about a how a small town man dreams of becoming a film star, works really hard and makes sacrifices to attain success, which changes him as a person.
He gets caught between fighting for something that is right and loose whatever he has achieved so far or succumb to the wrong. He chooses the former and also wins back everything he has lost.
What about the script appealed to you?
A lot of things, this film gave me immense satisfaction in terms of performance, story and its making. Generally it is difficult to convey a message through a film in a commercial and entertaining way. And this film combined both the crucial elements. So, I think it’s a complete film.
< Page Break >
Since you essay the role of an actor in this film, did you have to carry your natural self in front of the camera?
Not at all. In fact, many a times where I was supposed to play a star, I would be myself, I mean the way I am and Raju (Santoshi) would say ‘No, no I want you to be little more flashy and flamboyant’. Personally I’m not like that. So, somewhere it got more difficult to play an actor by myself.
Your film graph so far shows that you prefer films where your character raises his voice against an unjust system. Do such roles invoke you?
No. I don’t think it is intentional. I have been very lucky that films like Gangaajal, Apharan and others have come my way and have worked too.
Such films also convey a social message; do you think they have an impact on the society?
