I'm not afraid to play a terrorist or a Pakistani

I'm not afraid to play a terrorist or a Pakistani
Saturday, September 19, 2009 14:32 IST
By Subhash K Jha, Santa Banta News Network
/> Naseeruddin Shah ostensibly played a terror mastermind in Neeraj Pandey's A Wednesday. But finally it turned out to be the role of messiah on a mission to cleanse society. Now Naseer's arch-rival Om Puri has taken on the role of an unapologetic hardcore terrorist in Rensil d'Silva's Kurbaan.

Bollywood characters derived from headlines specially ones that are taken from extremist news reports, are now being seen as tricky territory.

In Rensil d'Silva's hushed and much talked-about Kurbaan Om Puri plays a hardcore terrorist who masterminds a massive terror attack in the US.

Surely a politically-incorrect role for an actor, if ever there was one! In fact Irrfan Khan had said no to playing a global terrorist in Kurbaan.

Playing a terrorist automatically puts the actor in the suspicious list on the international airports. And so what if it's just a part?

But Om is fearless. "I'm aware of the repercussions. I'm also aware others actors turn down parts of terrorists. But I've no such reservations.

A role is a role. We cannot be moral and judgmental about the characters we play. In Kurbaan I play the terror mastermind, a fully committed jehaadi who is ready to sacrifice everything including his wife (Kirron Kher) for the cause."

It's a role with deep reverberations. But Om is prepared for the backlash. "I played a radical mullah mouthing rabid dialogues in Jagmohan Mundhra's Shoot On Sight. It was just a role.I think our audiences are mature enough to understand this."

However the audiences' level of maturity seems to have gone for a toss. Om has apparently started receiving warnings from fundamentalist organizations about playing an extremist.

Om says he won't be deterred. "I played a Pakistani in Charlie Wilson's War and East Is East. And now in October I go into the sequel West Is West with the same cast. This time Vijay Raaz and Ila Arun have been added.

Is it dangerous to experiment with morality in your actors? Let it be. In my new release Baburr I played a corrupt colourful cop who doesn't think tweaking the law is a big deal. It's good to enter the hearts and minds of people who live by their own weird morality."
Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT