Cinesprint - June 2015

evolved as a person and
understood the craft
better than say a couple
of years ago. With him
there’s a certain ease
now. We have this
unsaid understanding
between us. There was
this look that we found
in each other’s eyes that
helped us during the
shoot. We would look
at each other’s eyes
and know whether the
other person is ready to
shoot. The way we were
shooting the film, we
had to know the scene
inside out to perform it.
The camera would roll
and we had to knock off
the entire scene. Every
day before the shot was
called, we looked at each
other and knew whether
we were ready or not. If
I wasn’t ready, he’d ask
Shoojit to do one more
rehearsal. Likewise, if I
felt that he wanted to
rehearse more, I’d ask
Shoojit to shoot the
next day. We found our
timing and connection as
actors. It was so organic
and unsaid.
What do you think
makes him the greatest
Indian actor?
He’s passionate about
everything. Even after
being around for so
many years, he’s still at
it. And like they say, God
is in the details. He’s
so meticulous about
everything. Whether it’s
his rehearsals or the way
he’s dressed or the way
his van is kept clean, there
is a system to everything.
He’s a true perfectionist.
The drive and hunger is
amazing. After working
for 40 years, he can say
don’t tell me what to do
because I know it all.
But that hunger to learn
is there. After watching
Finding Fanny he told
me it was amazing that I
had the guts to do it and
there was so much to
learn. He still feels that
there’s so much to learn
and that’s fantastic.
Working with
Amitji is a
new take
in my career. It was
exciting, interesting
and I am fortunate
enough to work with
such a down to earth
actor. Irrfan has been
supportive and caring
enough during the
shoot of the movie.
Shoojit is the man with
lot of talents and he
already made himself
in the big league of
directors.
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