Irrfan Khan: It doesn't matter whether people refer to me as an actor or as a star
| Updated: Nov 7, 2017, 11:48 IST
Actor Irrfan Khan is not one to be pleased easily. In an interview with a leading entertainment media portal, the actor said, “After the fourth interview, I’m almost done, exhausted and ready to retire.” The actor who is currently busy promoting his film 'Qarib Qarib Singlle', said, “It takes more effort on my part to finish the promotions than a film.”
When asked if he feels pressurised by people's expectations from him as an actor, he said, "It becomes a pressure when it’s not your personal need as well. If you also want that as well, you are drawn to that and you seek it. It comes naturally to you and you thrive on that. If I was only looking for masala films, and fortunately or unfortunately, I get acknowledgment in content-driven films, then it becomes a problem. Phir main kahanse lau? Mujhe samajh hi nahi hai iski. I would feel that okay, these films have worked but mujhe pata nahi kaise and then, it becomes a pressure. Not now, because I am expecting and looking out for these kind of roles, which again the audience is expecting from me."
He further added, "It’s also because of the changing times. The Indian audience is exposed to world cinema today. That’s why Indians today are eager to see their own actors doing films with diverse storytelling. The perception is definitely changing in that context. It’s a very interesting and a great change for us. Thank God that the audience is expecting this. If they only aren’t opening up to the idea, then what would we do with ourselves. Also, the audience is increasing for these kind of subjects. There’s a film, there are series, there are auditions you see and you feel where are these actors coming from. There’s this mahaul that’s growing and I am very happy about it."
Talking about how his choices in films have changed in the last two years, the actor said, "Honestly, the way the audience has reacted to my last few films has given a lot of clarity and confidence to what I should do. That is not superficial. One thing which life has taught me is that I can’t afford to do things, just for the sake of money. If I need fame, I cannot pretend that I’m doing films for other reasons. I like taking things head-on. I have become more conscious about doing my kind of cinema, where it matters to me and it isn’t just a matter of survival anymore. It’s not like I will do a film thinking that it might do great at the box office and give me star status. I don’t want to be in that situation. How it has changed me? Now, I consider fame and money a by-product only. Earlier, they were the bigger reasons, when I was struggling. And, to all the actors who are struggling now, I want to tell them, yes, money is important but you shouldn’t make it a primary goal. It will follow anyway. What you need to listen to, is your inner voice and your passion. That would be your real achievement or earning."
When asked if he discusses his films with his wife and son, he said, "I don’t take their suggestions but when they happen to know about a film or they watch a trailer, they do have their opinion. Sometimes, it’s completely opposite of what I’m expecting (Smiles) Their opinion matters a lot. But I feel they don’t have enough time for me to be able to sit them down and make them read my scripts. They are busier than me. For what I don’t know! I am fortunate to get their chunk of time with me. It’s not like I don’t have time for them. It’s the other way round (Laughs)."
(Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Irrfan Khan: Parvathy is the hero in 'Qarib Qarib Singlle')
'Qarib Qarib Singlle' is slated to release on 10 November, 2017. Stay tuned for more updates.
Credits: DNA
When asked if he feels pressurised by people's expectations from him as an actor, he said, "It becomes a pressure when it’s not your personal need as well. If you also want that as well, you are drawn to that and you seek it. It comes naturally to you and you thrive on that. If I was only looking for masala films, and fortunately or unfortunately, I get acknowledgment in content-driven films, then it becomes a problem. Phir main kahanse lau? Mujhe samajh hi nahi hai iski. I would feel that okay, these films have worked but mujhe pata nahi kaise and then, it becomes a pressure. Not now, because I am expecting and looking out for these kind of roles, which again the audience is expecting from me."
He further added, "It’s also because of the changing times. The Indian audience is exposed to world cinema today. That’s why Indians today are eager to see their own actors doing films with diverse storytelling. The perception is definitely changing in that context. It’s a very interesting and a great change for us. Thank God that the audience is expecting this. If they only aren’t opening up to the idea, then what would we do with ourselves. Also, the audience is increasing for these kind of subjects. There’s a film, there are series, there are auditions you see and you feel where are these actors coming from. There’s this mahaul that’s growing and I am very happy about it."
Talking about how his choices in films have changed in the last two years, the actor said, "Honestly, the way the audience has reacted to my last few films has given a lot of clarity and confidence to what I should do. That is not superficial. One thing which life has taught me is that I can’t afford to do things, just for the sake of money. If I need fame, I cannot pretend that I’m doing films for other reasons. I like taking things head-on. I have become more conscious about doing my kind of cinema, where it matters to me and it isn’t just a matter of survival anymore. It’s not like I will do a film thinking that it might do great at the box office and give me star status. I don’t want to be in that situation. How it has changed me? Now, I consider fame and money a by-product only. Earlier, they were the bigger reasons, when I was struggling. And, to all the actors who are struggling now, I want to tell them, yes, money is important but you shouldn’t make it a primary goal. It will follow anyway. What you need to listen to, is your inner voice and your passion. That would be your real achievement or earning."
When asked if he discusses his films with his wife and son, he said, "I don’t take their suggestions but when they happen to know about a film or they watch a trailer, they do have their opinion. Sometimes, it’s completely opposite of what I’m expecting (Smiles) Their opinion matters a lot. But I feel they don’t have enough time for me to be able to sit them down and make them read my scripts. They are busier than me. For what I don’t know! I am fortunate to get their chunk of time with me. It’s not like I don’t have time for them. It’s the other way round (Laughs)."
(Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Irrfan Khan: Parvathy is the hero in 'Qarib Qarib Singlle')
'Qarib Qarib Singlle' is slated to release on 10 November, 2017. Stay tuned for more updates.
Credits: DNA