Mumbai, August 13: Omkar Das Manikpuri a.k.a Natha is creating waves with promos of Peepli Live on air. An internationally acclaimed theatre artist is at a threshold of his Bolllywood career. And what better start than Aamir Khan’s Peepli Live!
Omkar in this interview with us talks about his strengths and priorities as an actor and also, his experience so far in the acting world.
Tell us about your journey from theatre to films?
I belong to Chattisgarh and began my journey of acting there itself. My co-stars and I performed some plays and folk dance in almost about 200 villages in the city itself. Our turning point however, came when a British tourist recommended us in BBC London for a play based on leprosy in 1998. Soon, after that, Habib Tanveer sahib spotted us in one of the shows in India and later invited Anusha Rizvi too with the result she roped all of us in Peepli Live.
As you said, you have an international exposure as a theatre artist…how do you see your career graph moving with films considering your unconventional face?
Well, I would never ever compromise on the relevance of the film with society. Films with comic flavour that is slapstick comedy but with no message is something I’m not keen doing. As far as my unconventional face is concerned, I hope film makers will write scripts and approach me further keeping my face in mind.
Coming to Peepli Live, are you nervous since it’s your debut venture in Bollywood and one step ahead in your acting career?
Its’ a mixed feeling; I’m nervous and excited at the same time. A theatre artist has limited audience to showcase his talent but in films an actor gets a wider range of audience which decided his destiny.
Peepli Live you have played vulnerable guy who is easily convinced by everyone how far do you relate with the character in real-life also on the understanding of current political scenario?
I’m far more decisive in real-life than my character Natha. However, as an actor, I’m not really acquainted with the current issues. I like to remain in domain and concentrate on acting and improvise on my skill.
Has Peepli Live brought any difference to your perception with regards to vigilance as a common man?
No, not at all; as an actor I stepped into the shoes of Natha and now I’m out of it concentrating and looking for other characters for the portrayal.
You stepped into Aamir Khan’s shoes for he was to do Natha’s role earlier. How did you react to that?
Well, I was overwhelmed, when Aamir ji congratulated me after watching the audience. I can never forget his words saying nobody could have done the role of Natha with so much of conviction other than you.
Raghuveer Yadav is a veteran actor…share with us some experience about the film?
Raghuveer Yadav has been a fantastic co-star to work with. I have been watching him since the time I was a kid myself. I have great regards for him both as an actor and human-being. Never even once did he flaunt his star value before us. In fact, he made sure that we give our best as a team.
Why did you change your mind to meet Deepika when you were interested in Katrina?
Well, that owes to my mistake of misunderstanding Love Aaj Kal girl Deepika to Katrina. With due respect to Katrina, she was never on my mind for the meeting. The confusion in the name of two as I thought Love Aaj Kal’s name was Katrina led Aamir ji in trouble. I met Deepika and have a wonderful memory of hers.
——Agencies