Page 48 - Khabar Magazine (February 2020)

Biography

Getting Irrfan to talk matters to him. Tillotama Shome, who acted with
at length for this book Irrfan in the 2017 hit comedy-drama Hindi Medium, told
was a challenge— me about that phenomenal scene where she’s trying
Unfortunatel y, to pacify him after his child doesn’t secure admission
around the time I agreed into a school. That scene was completely improvised,
to write this book, Irrfan there was a lot of give and take, and that’s Irrfan’s big-
announced that he was gest asset. Naseeruddin Shah was telling me about that
unwell. His manager in- scene from Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool where Irrfan’s
formed me that in the character is holding a gun to Naseer’s character’s head.
past he had been dead According to Naseer, Irrfan had the upper hand in the
against any biographies or scene but he played it so evenly—he doesn’t overshad-
even an autobiography— ow his co-actor he’s sharing screen space with.
but maybe he was in a
different place now and
might agree. So I spoke to
him. I had already sent an
Biographer Aseem Chhabra is the email detailing my pro-
festival director of the New York
Indian Film Festival. In Sita Sings posal. He declined to be
the Blues, Nina Paley’s acclaimed interviewed for the book
animated film, he is the voice of because he wasn’t in the
Shadow Puppet #1.
right space just then. But
he pointed me to several interviews and articles that
he said I could use as reference material. Also he gave
me names of people I could speak to about his early
acting years, like his friend from his theatre days in
Jaipur, Varun Gautam.
The book has a fairly comprehensive account of
his professional life and gives the reader so many
insights into his personality. What more do you think
you could have uncovered, had you interviewed him
for the book?
I would have loved to delve deeper into his child-
hood years but also talk to him about some of his key A still from Dubai Return. (Courtesy: Sourabh Kanti Dutta)
roles. I was speaking to his Life of Pi director, Ang Lee, It’s been a two-year process almost, writing
who told me how he briefed Irrfan about his role (he this book. You must have some great memories and
plays the adult Pi Patel) in the film. Irrfan’s character experiences.
is never on the boat with the tiger (actor Suraj Sharma It was such an amazing journey. I combed through
who plays the young Pi is there) but that scene where he the National School of Drama graduate list where I
is talking about how Richard Parker (the tiger) doesn’t tracked down Irrfan’s batchmates, one of them being
look back and just walks on into the forest, and there Mita Vashisht, who gave some great stories about their
are tears in his eyes...it gets me every time! I would’ve time together at drama school. There was so much joy
loved to talk to Irrfan about how he interpreted that in revisiting some of his landmark films like Asif Ka-
scene and how he performed it. padia’s The Warrior, which someone sourced for me as
You call Irrfan a “prince among regular perform- it’s unavailable to watch anywhere. Catching up with
ers.” What sets him apart from the others? theatre director Barry John whom I caught up with at
His generosity as an actor. Many people spoke to the Dharamshala International Film Festival just as we
me about it. Govind Nihalani who directed Irrfan in were rushing in to see a film, serendipitous meetings
Dhrishti (1990) noticed how Irrfan was engaging with that led to interviews, getting the structure of the book
his co-actors in a play directed by Ramgopal Bajaj. together was all such a satisfying process. But I will say
While the other actors looked at the audience for vali- that chasing some of the directors and actors who had
dation and accolades, Irrfan was immersed in the play. worked with him was a challenge. I know some of them
That’s him—he thinks of the larger picture; every scene so well, but they still make you chase them (laughs).
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46 • FEBRUARY• 2020 KHABAR MAGAZINE