'I cried like a wuss'

Vinay Pathak on being more than just a funny man

Vinay Pathak on being more than just a funny man

Weird sense of humour, check.
Outspoken, check.
Down to earth, check.
Patronising, check.

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Quirky Vinay Pathak at his Oshiwara officeu00a0 Pics/ Pradeep Dhivar

THAT'S Vinay Pathak, who questions your credibility before answering a question, 'Do you watch movies?' or says 'I think it's a stereotype question' before knowing where the question will lead next. But he can also make you laugh out of nothing. Or simply want to know, 'How old are you?' And he doesn't hesitate to state his age. So here's the 41-year-old actor playing Pinu Patel in Straight: Ek Tedi Meri Love Story. This time, he kisses and tells.

How tedi meri was the journey?
Why are you laughing? I should be the one to turn red. But I have turned crimson enough to not be affected by the kissing scenes. I think I am done with my quota of embarrassment and nervousness. So now I am cool.

How was it?
It was nerve-breaking because it was the first... on the screen, I mean.

Thank god for that?
Of course, thank god for that (laughs).

So now you are competing with Emraan Hashmi?
No...no...no... he is a star player. He is Sachin Tendulkar. I am just like gully cricket.u00a0

You are a step ahead on Emraan. You kissed a boy.
I'm afraid I amu00e2u0080u00a6 my goodness.

Have you seen Milk?
It's a bit too political a film. From the performance point of view, Sean Penn has always been wonderful, but in Milk he is especially good.

How tough was playing the character?
It's a job, an effort. How difficult or how easy it becomes for you as an actor is what you see it as. 80 per cent of your homework comes from a good script.u00a0

What about attraction to the same sex?
Where did that question come from? Are you asking me professionally or personally?

Both!
(Laughs) Things that are viable, you can experience. It's about the job and not about the act. That's why it's called living in an imaginary circumstance.

That's true.
I am 41 years old. I have explored whatever I wanted to. It's not like I want to come out of the closet with this film. I am a straight and a forward person. There's nothing to hide. That is why I have lot of respect and honour for people who make that tougher choice.u00a0 Yes, man and a man is frowned upon. But what about man in a bed or a man in a cup? Really, who are we to comment on anyone's personal preferences?

And you kiss a man.
That's contextual. It's not a deliberate kiss. It's a blunder and how it opens up a different kind of a nightmare for my character.

Where do you get your natural sense of comic timing?
I do feel flattered when people say that. But I think it's a myopic question.
If you actually sit here, put pen and paper together and go back, before Rab Ne Bana De Jodi, my comic role was in Bheja Fry. In between, I did a lot of other films like Manorama, Via Darjeelingu00e2u0080u00a6

What I meant was...
That's why I started saying that I feel flattered. It's a compliment and it's in good faith. I think it's about loving your job. Constantly trying to figure out how to do it better, childhood references, my huge khandan. I have all the stereotypes in my family.
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Tell me more about them?
I would have to take permission from them... otherwise they may kill me (Laughs). See, I grew up around some extremely witty, smart alec-like comments. I was born in Bhojpur, but I grew up all around... in boarding school, went to New York drama school.

How was NY drama school?
When one says a drama school in New York, enough is said. I don't want to shock people, but I have seen the world.

What happened to you?
(Laughs) What I mean is I have seen all the stereotypes around me. They have been around me.

Tell me about your's and Ranvir Shorey's association?
Ranvir and I share a very special friendship. And we have done everything together TV, theatre, corporate shows, standup, movies, advertising... even weddings... (laughs)... just kidding. So obviously there is a lot of affection and a comfort level. When we are in town, we make sure to catch up.

Did you ever think you would be the lead?
Never. In the drama school, I was aspiring for it. I was happy playing character roles. Even now when you see me playing the title role it's more on the character I stress.

Finally, do you cry while watching a film?
Absolutely.

Not many admit to that.
In fact, the first time I watched Dasvidaniya, there were a couple of scenes where I was crying. We watched it here in my office Rajat Kapoor, Shashank Shah, Neha Dhupia and I. It gets to me every time. Neha and I were like babies. I cried like a wuss. While watching Revolutionary Road, I was bawling. It is a vulnerable stage to be in. If you don't laugh, clap, or cry, you won't understand the magic of films.