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'An actor is like a puppet in the hands of the director'

Would you ever exhibit anything you have made?

I'm a very private person so I don't really know. But, maybe, if I have enough to exhibit, I may hold an exhibition. I can tell everyone then that I paint too!

You've been around for a long time -- any favourite co-stars?

There are many of them, but among those who stand out would be Nutanji and Pransaab. They were the seniormost actors who were most professional in their work. They were wonderful human beings and so considerate. I have never seen them complain about the conditions, they would get ready for the take and wait patiently for the shot. They would welcome the newcomers and give them a feel of the profession and the conditions under which it operated.

Another person who comes to mind is Amitabh Bachchan. We were shooting for Agnipath in Mauritius and I wanted a copy of the script to know the dialogues and the nature of the character. It so happened that I didn't get a copy by next morning, so I was yelling and shouting at the assistant director. Incidentally, Mr Bachchan was in the next room and he heard me. After about five minutes, he walked in with the dialogues which he himself had copied down and he rehearsed with me. Such was his humility and patience. That was the first time I was working with him, although I knew him since before he joined films.

Do any of the evil roles you play rub off on you? Has any character you played ever scared you with its intensity?

I don't think any evil element has rubbed off on me because, as they say, familiarity breeds contempt. Playing a bad character makes you realise the negative side of man's nature and you start being careful about what you do. And a part of your mind always tells you that you're playing a role, that it is all make-believe.

When you're acting, there're two minds functioning simultaneously -- one telling you what you're doing is real and the other telling you it's just role-playing. A rational man is one who knows where reality and unreality begin and end.

Once, I was playing the role of a blind man in a Nepali film and, in the climax, I had to catch hold of this guy and choke him to death. And I got so carried away that I actually really choked him and almost killed him. I was concentrating so hard on looking blind that I lost track of reality.

As for being scared, I always get scared when I see myself in a mirror, especially after the make-up has been done (laughs).

Why do you keep such a low profile?

That's the way I am. I think the parties and interviews are so monotonous. It's like signing an autograph -- you're doing the same thing again and again. I'd rather get together with some friends and be myself. It's about the kind of person one is.

One final question. What convinces you to take up a role? Or paint a picture or carve a sculpture? What is it that drives you?

I think every man has to do something. Somewhere inside me, I enjoy doing what I do. Even if it's a silly film, may be there's a good scene that I enjoy. Or may be I like someone else's role in that film or the photography. Even in a painting, there are certain shades that I like. What I like about carving is that, if you go wrong, you can start carving on the other side and pretend the mistake didn't happen! So, in everything, there's some element of enjoyment. I guess that's what keeps me going.