Om Puri, one of the finest actors to ever grace the screens of Indian cinema, may fall short when it comes to talking about his huge fan following as when compared to his peers. Nevertheless, this man continues to enjoy popularity for his unparalleled dramatics and his inimitable skills. In this interview, we catch up with the Om Puri for a brief tête-à-tête over his latest release ‘Lovesongs, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow’ and more.

Here are the Excerpts:

It’s said that you apparently skipped your fee for doing this film. Is that true?

Yes, that’s true. But this isn’t the first instance when I’ve done so. I usually cite my fee depending on the venture, the banner, the script and the film, though not necessarily in that order.

I preferably like to go for good roles, offbeat ones definitely takes an upper hand over the commercial ones when it comes to my choice of films and roles. But the fact that such films are so scantily made grieves me tremendously.

So when films like Lovesongs comes, I possibly do my best to help it out, preferably by accepting it and skipping my fee, considering the intentions of the filmmaker.

Would you like to brief us a bit on your role in the film?

I play a middle-aged professor in the film who during his heydays was in love with Jaya Bachchan but couldn’t take the relation to its obvious end due to religious conflicts.

Years later, Jaya comes to Hyderabad to pursue her research work in the same college where I happen to teach. There they bump into each other leaving way for floodgates of memories. Mallika Sarabhai plays Rabea, my wife, an alcoholic and a victim of chronic depression. I enjoyed the film. Jayabrato is a promising director.

You have been around in the industry for more than three decades. What are the changes do you think have crept into today’s contemporary cinema?

Things have changed widely today. Earlier an actor was expected to conjure up a realistic image with his performance.

However, entertainers flatter the latest acting scenario where more than one’s histrionics, six-abs body, undulating physique, great dancing skills and everything else takes prominence. Today acting is more about performance than anything else.

What are your prerequisites before signing any assignments?

A good role, a good director, a good film are the only things that concerns me in a film. That really thins my chances of being a part of wide many films. At times, I do pamper myself with a few global ventures.

Define yourself as an actor?

In one word, versatile. I believe that an actor must be ready and conditioned enough to fit himself into any kind of roles, however close or contrary it may be to his real self. Roles that are easy to identify with are easier to perform than the ones that are remote to our normal psyche. I personally love to do dialogue-centric roles.

Would you like to pass on a piece of advice for the upcoming creed of actors?

Yes. I would like to say that they must concentrate on and treat their calling with utmost honesty and sincerity. It’s easy to get drifted by the tempting offers. But then if you are sound enough to venture into right kind of projects and work through it dedicatedly then there’s nothing stopping you.