Cinema - Lights Film Magazine

Get to Know itA Veteranof four decades..escribed as "the finest actorof the post-independenceDgeneration" by one expert onthe Indian cinema, no actor can evercome close to the diversity of hisperformance. He is an unparalleledactor with a powerful voice andmagnetic screen presence.Throughout his career he hasportrayed over 140 characters.“He is a versatile actor and handlesall kinds of roles with great ease. Heis one of India's most respected andprolific screen personalities."An overview of careerI studied acting in the National School of Dramaand then went and studied further in the Film &Television Institute of India. I first taught Speechand Movement in Bombay's Actors 'Studio andstarted my career in the art house cinema ofIndia having worked under directors like ShyamBenegal (A Discovery Of India, Aarohan), GovindNihalanai (Ardh Satya,Tamas), Satyajit Ray(Sadgati) and other such stalwarts. In the lateNineties I shifted to commercial Hindi cinema asthe art cinema movement had almost endedhere. The turn of the century saw me working ina number of international films, especiallyBritish cinema."Sadgati" and Experience workingwith Satyajit RayIt was a highly fulfilling experience as well aslearning opportunity. I was in awe of him when Iwas called to work with him. And he lived every32ALL LIGHTS, NOVEMBER 2011