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Thursday December 14, 10:34 AM
 Vinod
Khanna needs no introduction as he is one of the most
respected and senior actors of the industry today. His
sudden exit from Bollywood some years back had
surprised the audiences. After serving for his
constituency, he is all set to make a comeback in
Bollywood through filmmaker Vishram Sawant's
forthcoming film Risk. IndiaFM catches Vinod Khanna
for an exclusive conversation about his comeback in
films, career in politics and his family.
What is that first thing that comes to your mind when
I say Risk?
First thing that comes to my mind is that we all take
risks in our life. Even I am making a comeback and
taken a risk by working in Risk.
How did Risk happen to you?
It just happened when I decided to work in films again
and out of the blues. I got a call from the director.
He asked me whether I would like to work with him and
I said yes. So he came and narrated a script to me. I
liked the script and we agreed to do the film.
Risk is your comeback movie, what made you to go for
this movie?
I like the way Vishram Sawant had narrated the script
and explained the entire film, especially my character
and other characters as well. I like his approach
towards the film. He gave me suggestions for a
specific look. He was so excited about the film which
excited me as well. My son Akshaye told me about
Vishram's film 'D'. He brought the DVD and said, "You
must watch this film, it's a great film." I said "Ok
keep it, I'll watch it." But I didn't watch the film.
Vishram came and narrated the script to me. I liked
the script and then I told him that my son told me to
see his film'D'. My son is quite critical about films
and for him to say he liked 'D'; then it must be a
good film. Thereafter I saw the film and I like it. So
finally I was happy that I made a right choice.
Tell us something about your character in Risk.
He is an underworld Don based outside the country. He
has spread his wings in India. He has got his illegal
business happening all over India. He is a part of the
entire underworld nexus. It's not that he is the only
underworld don. He has to survive there and for that
he does anything. He has to kill, bribe, manipulate
and do everything. At the same time he is very
compassionate. He is a devout Muslim. He has his
family and he looks after his family and his gang
members. It's an interesting character.
Do you have any specific kind of look in the film?
I have kept a beard. We tried various get ups but
eventually I and the director liked beard and dark
hair. My character is very ordinarily dressed. He is
in kurtas and pajama. He is not a sophisticated person
and yet fond of good things in life. He is single. He
doesn't have any woman in his life. His language is
very colloquial and that makes my character more
interesting.
How was it working with new generation actors like
Randeep Hooda and Tanushree Dutta?
I didn't have any scene with Tanushree but yes Randeep
is superb. We have a couple of scenes together but
most of our conversations were on the phone. There is
very fine stage actor like Seema Biswas in the film.
So it was nice to work with the people I have never
worked before.
How is Vishram Sawant as a director?
Vishram is a very different and a very unconventional
director. He is not the guy who has gone to the film
institute of India to learn. He is a creative person.
His vision and his ideas treat the camera like a toy.
He has wonderful cameraman and technicians which adds
to the pleasure of working with him.
What is your expectation from this movie?
I have high expectations from this film. It's a
different film, where they will not be disappointed.
It's a film that has emotions, action and reality. It
shows something that they haven't seen before. But the
way it's been handled makes it unique. I have very
high expectations.
Do you think it's a risk for you?
No I think I have gone beyond that stage to think that
it's a risk for me as an actor. I think I have played
my share in this film world. I have enough confidence
in myself and I don't think that by doing a certain
role I am risking my career. I am very confident about
this film.
This is your 3rd innings as you said so what kinds of
roles you are looking forward to?
Roles that are challenging, I just don't want do any
role. I have made a comeback to make money. I have
exhausted my savings, I didn't work for five years
like I said and even before that I hardly did one or
two films. Economics is one of the reasons but I would
like to request writers to write some challenging
roles for me.
Most of your contemporaries are still working and now
you are back what do you feel about that?
It's great. We should make Amar, Akbar Anthony with
all of us again. They all are such legends in the
industry so coming together in a film would be great
for all of us. It would be wonderful. Our new
generation is very active. There are some great actors
and directors and I am looking forward to working with
the new breed of directors.
Tell us something about your forthcoming film.
I have God Mother which is an underworld film. There I
am playing a good Don. I have also signed some more
films. But I'll wait for the producers to announce
them.
Is it true that you are working on a Mahesh Bhatt film
along with your sons Akhaye and Rahul Khanna?
It's not true yet but if all works well then it can
come true. Yes, there are various projects that are
coming to me.
What do you think about Akshaye's career? Do you
advice him regarding films and acting?
I am very happy with Akshaye's work as well as his
career graph but I don't interfere in his career at
all. Ever since his first film I have just left on his
own and same with Rahul. They choose their own films.
They decide who to work with, scripts and directors
they want to work with. If they need any advice then I
give them otherwise I don't. I keep my mouth shut.
What about your political career?
Politics has been restricted to my constituency. I
have no role to play otherwise anything outside and I
am very happy with that. I have no political
ambitions.
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