Uttar pradesh has left a mark on it screenbut there are several aspects of Kanpur that can be mined and showcased on the cinematic canvas. This was the view of the panellists in TOI Dialogue’s discussion titled ‘Kanpur’s Growth Story’.
Actor Zakir Hussain said that UP has a great influence on the industry. ‘Actors like Naseer bhai (Naseeruddin Shah) and Nawaz (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) are from UP. It includes Arun Govil and Bharat Bhushan who are from Meerut and even I. Sahyadri UP is certainly evident in music and acting. Malini ji (Singer Malini Awasthi) is from Varanasi and has been helpful in this area,’ Hussain noted.
Giving advice to the young and upcoming actors of the city, Hussain said, “I can say only about that path which I take. Everyone has to take their own path. I started with theater, so please start with it, if you can. But I believe no matter what the art form is, their success is not governed by time. This field ( of acting) is such that whether you are trained to fly or not, you have to jump and learn how to fly. Again, “There are certain situations which come in their heads. You can’t go back into that depression and that state of mind about what your family will think if you go back.”
Amit Sial an actor of the same city shared that, “Bunty Aur Babli has done wonders (for capturing the essence of the city) but I feel there are more than a few things about Kanpur that have not been shown. And it has a very special taste and so does its mockery.” She continued, “Kanpur had a very strong colonial and strong industrialization. The city has a lot of history in trading, commerce and fight for independence. How many films have portrayed that properly,” Searle said.
In his blockbuster movie ‘abbajaan ne refrigerator khula chhodh diya aur sardi yale gaye,’ Sial states, ‘The story is mostly about Kanpur. Yahan ki hawa mein sarcastic. A lot of dialogues and a lot of what is Kanpur flavored is Kanpur kya sir. What is left out of the story….is what the locals are talking about. Nobody is going to give you a plain answer in a straight way. They all know how to sound sarcastic.
Anupriya Goenka, an actress from Kanpur, also opined on how the city has been projected in movies and said: -“Maybe from a content point of view, the story is not set here. For instance, Paan Singh Tomar is good story, but Paan Singh Tomar and Peepli Live were shot here. But Kanpur is yet to have its day of luck like how lucknow or Benaras has been mapped up.
There were also warm reminisces about his ‘fandom’ with dexterous actor Irrfan Khan and the remarkable ‘turning points’ offered by him therein.
The success bash of ‘Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster’ was hosted at Randeep Hooda’s residence. I opened the door and Irrfan Bhai was striding towards the terrace. It was quite exhilarating for me. I said, ‘Irrfan Bhai’ I am a very big fan of yours. He sounded an expatriate Awa Bhai ‘No. And starting with ‘Are you an actor?’” “I said, “Yes. Then he said, ‘Keep going, and went outside to the terrace. “There is no greater pleasure I have come across than saying the words, ‘Keep going,’ to someone,” said sial of Mirzapur fame. He is simply one of those actors who cannot physically feign weakness.
He also recounted the questions put to him by people regarding the difference between a poor performance and a good performance. “There is no good or bad actor. There is one actor only. All other actors you are going to work will be fine if you keep working. Keep doing what you are doing. There is no joy in doing so no Do this Goenka is also in line with Searle saying, “If you want to act, just If you want to pursue it, just try, It is an advanced sense that keeps everyone going especially in the field which is tough, every experience in life will translate into enhancing your skills as an actor.
Goenka was keen to express the difficulties and stressors that come with the responsibilities of an actor. “That is demanding for any artist. It should not be done for the sake of popularity or money. It should give ease inside you and only then can you be able to work.”
