Since his Nukkad days, Pavan Malhotra, through a judicious selection of roles in tele-serials and movies, has eked out a place for himself as a versatile and committed actor. Pavan Malhotra had to say no to films like Special 26, Kai Po Che and Mere Dad Ki Maruti because he could not adjust dates while working on the much awaited movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. However, Pavan is excited about his role as a coach in the film and doesn’t show an ounce of regret for having missed out on those projects. Malhotra's seriousness in acting comes through in his conversations. Check out what he has to say about coaching Farhan Akhtar aka Milkha Singh in the film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Excerpts:
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra in an interview recently said there is a Milkha in everyone…. Did this film inspire you in any way?
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is in everyone, the statement says it all! We all want to reach a certain goal, but lose focus somewhere which Milkha didn’t. Milkha Singh’s story is unusual; it’s about a young boy whose whole family was slaughtered and had nothing left, but yet he was very focused. The story talks about his perseverance as an athlete and also as a courageous human spirit, and that’s where I step in as his trainer and coach Gurdev Singh.
I suggest all youngsters and everyone to go and watch the film. It’s about goals and focus that Milkha Singh had and all of us should have.
You play a tough task-maker as a coach in the film. Was it difficult to come down hard on Farhan?
No role is simple but for me it wasn’t difficult to work with Farhan. If you see him, he was totally surrendered and focused in the film. I have had enough exposure in the film fraternity because I have done more films than Farhan Akhtar. I play his coach in the film, who was the first one to train him. I was strict, used to shout and yell at him during the training period. But apart from being his coach, I was like his elder brother.
Did you shape yourself up as well, just like Farhan did, to play a coach?
I did work on my body as well, but I was not looking at a six- pack. I wanted a fit body, and wanted to portray myself wherein the audience would look at my physique and say that this guy too looks like a thorough professional.
You have done several films since past, what has been your best performance till date?
Salim Langde Pe Mat Roh and Bagh Bahadur. Being made in the same year the characters are absolutely different from each other. Salim is a flamboyant character who is nicknamed Langda (lame) not because he is handicapped but due to a stylish walk. While Bagh Bahadur is a folk dancer with a painted body. He is wild and has a certain rhythm in his body movements, these two films are very close to my heart. I have also received a lot of appreciation with films like Black Friday, Bhindi Baazaar, My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves etc. Unlike several actors who dub their dialogues after the shooting, I have till date never dubbed in any of my films!
You worked with Anurag Kashyap in Black Friday, how do you look at his work?
It was the most memorable experience working with Anurag Kashyap. As a director he is very smart and extremely dedicated to his work. I still recall the fact that he had told me to act the way I wished, by telling me that, if you act the way I tell you, you will never get the scene right! We did the whole film this way. He also told me that if I was doing something wrong he will guide me, but he has always told me to keep my acting as natural as I can.
After Black Friday there hasn’t been any association from your end with his films again, why so?
Well if he tells me to do a film with him I surely will. I still remember the day when he called me from America and said you need to play a role in my next movie Shaitan, I immediately agreed. I was more than happy to work with him after he approached to me with the script of Black Friday. I am an actor and as I get various roles I am open to do them. From Nukkad to Bhaag Milkha Bhaag all the directors have come to me with the script.
You played the lead opposite Konkona Sen Sharma in Ek thi daayan, how was your experience working with her?
I had a great time with Konkona, she is an amazing co-star, with outstanding talent and is a great actor. We all are great friends, her husband too (Ranvir Shorey) meets me in various parties. Her talent is personified in the movie Ek thi daayan where she was called Diana and played the role of a Daayan (witch). Konkona’s performance is simply incredible, and you can simply see what an amazing talent she is on screen.
Do you think Bhaag Milkha Bhaag will enter the 100 crore club?
I feel all my films should cross the 100 Cr club, right from films like Road to Sangam to Bagh Bahadur. I feel 100 Cr club is all a publicity stunt. We should see the story, the way the film is picturised and the characters of the film rather than looking at the money part. I feel all films should do well. Also viewers should talk about the honest approach that we (Cast and crew) have given to the film as a whole.
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