15 August,2011 10:36 AM IST | | Payal Kamat Samant
Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani truly seems to be his mantra. Ever since he played the role of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Paresh Rawal claims to have become a better and a more responsible citizen. But this time he's shifting his gaze to theatre in Mumbai after a long 10 years, a platform that he says 'sets me free.' As the country gears up to celebrate 64 years of freedom, the actor talks to CS about the changing dynamics in the country:
Who: Paresh Rawal
What: Talking about what sets him free
Where: At his office in Juhu
All the world's a stage
It feels great to be on stage in Mumbai, though there also is a deep sense of responsibility. The city's theatre-going audience has increased manifold as compared to Delhi, where you even have a National School of Drama. But here, not a single play runs empty. And that's why I get a highu00a0-- I'm the king or god when I'm on stage. There's a crowd of a thousand sitting in front of you, enrapt.u00a0 That's why theatre sets me free; it's liberating.
The Mr Money Bags
And if you ask me about the one thing I want freedom from, the answer is: the country's corrupt politicians. I don't really need to say much as everyone knows what I'm talking about; every single day you get to read about them in the papers. Who says India is a poor country? Check these politicians' bank accounts and you'll know that they are the ones who've made it poor because of their greed.
Mask of Mumbai
But then, we can't just be pointing fingers. We don't vote and as a result get a government we deserve. One has to be hopeful that this'll change. Also, I want to know why people say Mumbai is a resilient city. Post terror attacks, when the city picks up, people say it's a brave city that keeps its spirit intact. But I'll say it's the lack of spirit that we are witnessing. We give the city a cosmetic bravado, but take no steps, other than the candle marches, to make the government responsible for what's happening.
The forgotten heroes
The time when I played the role of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, I did a lot of research on him. Post that film; I became a better and a more responsible citizen. It was then that I realised that we are unaware of so many heroes who fought for our independence. It's especially tragic that India's youth knows nothing about our country's history.
