Homegrown star’s homecoming

Adil Hussain needs no introduction as he has been able to book a sizeable space of his own in the world of acting — be it theatre or cinema. In addition to winning the best actor award in the New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Festival (NJISACF) for Lessons in Forgetting, he has the rare honour of featuring in three films, including Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Ang Lee’s Life Of Pi, which were screened at the International Film Festival of India in Goa, including the opening and closing film.

A scene from his latest Assamese film Sringkhal with co-actor Badal Das. Pix: Abdul Gani

The actor, who is the face of the region in the national film scene and beyond, is set to work in an Assamese movie after 22 years. In an exclusive conversation with Abdul Gani, while shooting for the Prabin Hazarika directed Sringkhal*, Hussain recounts his experiences.

Q. What does it feel like doing your first ever Assamese film as lead character?

A. It feels like coming home after a long hiatus. I have started my life with Assamese films way back in 1982. The last one was in 1988 — Pita-Putra. I’m returning to the scene after 22 years. I don’t have to act here — all I need to do is be myself. I’m so deeply attached emotionally with the atmosphere here in Assam that characters like these come naturally to me. And of course, playing the lead feels good. When I entered the film industry, I never expected to be in the lead, al- though I wanted to be, because I was just a 19 year old guy then. My understanding of acting was not enough during that period. Now, I think I’m equipped to do a decent job — to bring a three dimensional character into a role. The expectations w ill be high. People have seen m e in films all these years, so t hey will definitely be watching c ritically. I hope to bring a deg ree of reality to the film.

Adil Hussain. Pix: Abdul Gani

Q Why did you choose to do Sringkhal?

A. I THINK I’m lucky to be a part of a film which has such a beautiful and simple storyline. At present, I have not seen many similar movies anywhere. Story telling which comes from your heart is the key. This is the kind of the film in which Prabin da’s heart is urging him to tell a story. I have known Prabin da for a long time. When I read the script I was blown over. It is a script like Artist. It has that kind of simplicity. It has always been very difficult to write a straightforward script. Prabin da has been involved with the story for a long time so he could prepare it so lucidly.

Q. How has the transition from Life Of Pi to Sringkhal been?

A. As an actor my job is to respect and to accommodate different kinds of situations, roles, ideas and people. The inner flexibility of ideas is important. And now I’m Kalidas, an Assamese guy. Every character I play is always more of me. The character is not outside of you. When you are playing different characters, you are merely discovering unexplored sides of your personality. The areas which we do not get to encounter in our day-today life, we do it through our roles in films. That’s the fun part, and that is why I act.

Q. How do you cope with your newly gained celebrity status?

A. I think it is part of my profession. When I used to do theatre, I was known to people who were associated with theatre and the people who watched it. But film being a farreaching medium, the public began recognising me. When I was at the Chandigarh airport before coming to Guwahati, I was giving autographs and photographs for one hour. I have to face my consequences gracefully. But I have faced more such situations in Delhi, Mumbai or in Chandigarh than in Guwahati.

Q. How has working with Ang Lee and Mira Nair been like?

A. The first thing I noticed about them is their meticulous planning and precise execution. Their eyes are so trained that they notice the details in everything. They will go to any extent to get it perfect in every sense of the word. The second and the important part is that they are so humble. Ang Lee is the most humble person I have ever met in my life so far. He does not even consider himself as director. That was indeed a great learning period for me. I think every director in India should attend a workshop to understand what direction means.

Q. What do you think of Assam as a film destination?

A. Let me just say that I will try my best to project it in a positive light. Assam, and the entire Northeast, is a fantastic place to shoot films. There are innumerous locations here. But the government should also take responsibility in this regard. The first thing is to project Assam as a safe place. There are number of bandhs taking place every month. So such an unpredictable situation is not very good for any production company. The professional groups of outside would rather prefer other places where the government takes responsibility to clear permissions and red tape. The government here abdicates this responsibility.

Q. You did an ad for Tanishq right?

A. They called me and I asked them to send me the script. I liked it and did it. But I’m very particular about the product. I’m not going to advertise for drinks like Pespi or Coca Cola because I do not believe in these products. I will endorse products in which I believe.

Q. Tell us about your next projects?

A. Recently, I shot a film based on a 12th century story set in Punjab. I’m not allowed to speak about it. Then, there is Blemish Light, an Indo-American production for which shooting starts from December 11. It has a very strong story. Besides that, I’m also featuring in a Bengali film — Kasher Dewal with Rupa Ganguly. After that there is another film called Feast of Varanashi, a British-Indian production. The shoot of Sunrise starts from March next year.

* Sringkhal is based on the story of Bhabendra Nath Saikia by the same name.

http://sevensisterspost.com/homegrown-stars-homecoming/

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Adil picks up best actor award in US fest

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: This one couldn’t have come at a better time! Very much in news for his latest release English Vinglish, Adil Hussain has added one more international accolade to his trophy mantle — the best actor award in New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Festival (NJISACF). Hussain picked the best actor award on Tuesday for his role as JA Krishnamurthy in Unni Vijayan’s Lessons in Forgetting.

“It means a lot to me… Because the film is based on a very serious social issue of female foeticide. It’s a great pleasure to play JAK’s role. It would have been a typical boring character, but was directed very well to make it interesting. I’m thankful that it is received well by the viewers. I feel the Indian viewers, too, should watch it,” Adil told Seven Sisters Post from New Jersey on phone.

In Lessons in Forgetting, Adil plays a single father, J A Krishnamurthy or JAK, as he is fondly called. The story revolves around JAK and his relentless trail to find out how his teenage daughter, Smriti, played by debutante Maya Tideman, ends up on a hospital bed, almost dead. Helping JAK in his chase is a single mother Meera, played by Roshni Achreja, who is unable to make sense of her husband’s callousness; he walks out of their marriage, out of the blue, leaving her alone to bring up their two growing children and take care of her aging mother and grandmother, all on her own.

“It is JAK’s desperate attempt to unveil a gruesome incident affecting his daughter and his need for redemption that takes both Meera and him through a rocky trail that turns his life upside down. In the event, it gives JAK a peek into his daughter’s world,” Adil said of his character.

The subplot, subtly touches the subject of female foeticide and how fiercely guarded the issue is. The film is based on a novel by Anita Nair with the same name. The script is also written by her. “It’s a great thing to happen to the film and the entire team. But it’s Adil who made the film come alive,” Nair told Seven Sisters Post.

After collecting rave reviews for his role in English Vinglish, Adil will be seen in a meaty role in Vikramaditya Motwane’s Lootera which also features Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha. Besides, he will be seen playing a more dramatic role of Mustafa Fazil in Meera Nair’s Reluctant Fundamentalist.

His another highprofile project Life of Pi, directed by Oscar winner and Hollywood director Ang Lee , is slated for November release. Dedicated to South Asian independent films, the NJISACF first started in 2007.

The annual festival is produced by the Asian American Film and Theatre Project, a US based non-profit organisation committed to promotion, production and exhibition of film and theatre works that reflect the diverse experiences of the South Asian Diaspora across the globe. (Seven Sisters Post)

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Bollywood mixes ‘Assamese’ with English Vinglish

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: How does it feel for an Assamese to learn English Vinglish? “Feels good,” according to the man who has done it.

Adil Hussain, the ‘face’ of Assam in Bollywood at present, is going places. And how. After a globe-trotting venture in the action-thriller Agent Vinod starring Saif Ali Khan, Hussain is now playing the role of Sridevi’s husband in her comeback movie set against the backdrop of London.

Sridevi, once the heartthrob of the country, is making a comeback to Bollywood after 15 long years. English Vinglish, an R Balki produced film, is slated for release on October 5 after its global premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 14.

Adil Hussain (centre) with Oscar winning sound designer Resul Pukooty and Amrit Pritam (left)

Significantly, the film has another Assam connection in the form of Amrit Pritam, who is the sound designer. Adil Hussain, who has already created a niche for himself in the world of acting, said that this film is essential for Indian viewers.

“I would say (this film is) very essential for Indian viewers to see because it deals with the hierarchy of language, especially the colonial language which is English. We have a tendency to look down on people who cannot speak English. You may be from Delhi or Goalpara — we all have this colonial hangover to look up at English which is simply a language, no more, no less,” Adil who also features in Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, told Seven Sisters Post.

Adil with Sridevi in English Vinglish

He also feels that this film would give a “hint why it is important to see our languages with respect and the importance to feel proud of them”.

Besides Sridevi and Adil, Priya Anand, Mehdi Nebbou, Sujata Kumar, Neelu Sochi Sodhi, Ross Nathan and others feature in the film which will also be released in Tamil and Telegu. Amitabh Bachchan makes a guest appearance in the Hindi version while renowned South Indian actor Ajith Kumar will be seen in the Tamil version. The film is being directed by debutant Gauri Shinde.

Adil, whose character as the sinister Colonel in Saif Ali Khan’s Agent Vinod recently was widely appreciated by the viewers and whose name is now frequently pronounced in Bollywood and beyond, said that his responsibility as an actor or a human being has increased.

“In one word… it feels good,” he said responding to this. “At the same time it becomes a responsible position. Because when people know you, they follow you or read every word you utter. People make a role model out of you. I’m concerned about that. One has to be vigilant about it,” he added.

Adil, who used to perform in a group of stand-up comedians — the Bhaya Mama Group in the early 1980s in Assam before moving to the National School of Drama, is excited to play husband to Sridevi.

“She has been extremely supportive to an actor like me who is not a star. Her way of acting — how she is aware of the camera and at the same time how she is truthful about it. That kind of acting she does which is very professional. She delivers at the highest level of satisfaction for the director. It’s been learning process from her,” he said.

Adil, who hails from Goalpara, has several projects in the pipeline in the coming days in which he would be seen in different roles. In Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, he plays Pi’s father. He will be also seen in a very important role in Vikramaditya Motwane’s Lootera which also features Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha.

“I’m an actor and I’m supposed to play every kind of role given to me. I need to find a way to be truthful and convincing in every possible role. Actors are meant to be act — no matter whether it’s Gandhi, Godse, Hitler or Jesus Christ,” he added.

Besides Adil, another Assam youth Amrit Pritam has designed the sound of the film with Oscar award winning Resul Pookutty. “I think it is a nice movie to watch with the family. I quite enjoyed working here and now we are waiting for the release. I’m also happy with Adil da’s acting in the film,” Amrit, who rose to fame working in Slumdog Millionaire in 2008, told Seven Sisters Post from Mumbai. (Seven Sisters Post)

http://sevensisterspost.com/bollywood-mixes-assamese-english-vinglish/

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Adil Hussain hopeful with ‘Agent Vinod’

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: Assam boy Adil Hussain who plays ‘Colonel’ in Saif Ali Khan’s ‘Agent Vinod’ has high hopes of his latest film which is scheduled to release on March 23. Talking to Seven Sisters Post, the actor who recently concluded shooting of Ang Lee’s ‘Life of Pi’ advocated for proper market for the survival of Assamese films.

Adil as Colonel (credit: Bollywoodlife)

Adil Hussain would be seen along with Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Prem Chopra and others in ‘Agent Vinod’ which is being directed by Sriram Raghavan.

“I’m a bad guy in Vinod Agent. I’m international mercenary who can be hired.  I am working for someone who is an arms’ dealer in global market as I’m asked to fill up the requirements. That much I can tell u so far,” Hussain told Seven Sisters Post.

Though the film which is produced by Saif Ali Khan and Dinesh Vijan was to be released on January 25 but rescheduled to be released on March 23.

“Expectations are very high. Everybody has worked very hard and let’s hope people would like it. But I do not know till I saw the movie myself. I cannot say...,” Hussain said who was born and brought up in Goalpara district before he moved to National School of Drama (NSD).

Adil who has earned a name in theatre across the globe even before in stepped into films also expressed satisfaction working with Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor in this film.

“They are extreme co –workers and especially Saif coming from such a background – Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore, they know it very well what is mehmaan and hospitality. They took extreme care of me. And so is Kareena,” said the actor who is currently busy in shooting ‘Lutera’ of Vikramaditya Motwani which is scheduled to release in October this year.

Besides, his several films including ‘English Vinglish’, ‘Bombay’s Most Wanted’ and ‘Lessons in Forgetting’ are to be released within this year.

Ang Li’s ‘Life of Pi’ in which Adil would be seen in a major role is also scheduled to release in December 21 this year.

He, however, advocated for proper markets for the development of Assamese cinema.

“The scenario of regional cinema is Kerala is quite well. I was surprised to see the facility of film viewing there. It was never like in Assam,” said Adil who has won the best actor award for his performance in Italo Spinelli’s ‘Gangor’ at the New Jersey independent South Asian Film Festival.

“You have to have a market first of all to sell your product or to reach to the targets for whom you have made the thing,” he added.

Adil Hussain at Rome Film Festival in 2011

He said that the government of the private sector should take initiatives in setting up halls across the state so that people can come out and watch cinema.  

“People are willing to watch films. The VCDs are doing well. If there is good market the filmmakers in Assam would be encouraged to take new projects,” he said.

He also expressed his grief at the recent development in which an Assamese film ‘Ekhon Nedekha Nodir Xhipare’ was rejected for Best Assamese film by the jury members of the National Award for having too much Hindi and English dialogues in the film.

“It’s a sad incident. Such issues should be solved to prevent similar incidents,” he said.

After his days at NSD he did a brilliant job as Othello in ‘Othello: A play in Black and White’ which won laurels across the globe. Besides being a visiting faculty at the NSD in New Delhi, he also teaches acting at Drama School in Amsterdam, Royal Conservatory of Performing Arts in The Hague, and Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. 

(Published in Seven Sisters Post on March 21)

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