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SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2014 (PAGE-4) BOLLYWOOD-BUZZ TRIBUTE "An actor is a messenger" ‘An epitome of public life’ dialogue, or wearing great costumes, anything of the Amit Sharma ple around, be it public life or otherwise, but he never gave-up, Naseeruddin Shah was in Kolkata recently sort. It has a very simple meaning. I explained to them never kept a feeling of revenge, never ever found him talking ill We may have heard about simplicity, patience, self-respect, about them but simply keeps treading his pathways of life, sim- to deliver the Satyajit Ray Memorial address that acting is not an end in itself: you don't act for the divinity or truthfulness but the same if found in a human being ply believing in the ultimate philosophy of Shreemad Bhagvad sake of acting, you don't act for showing off your abili- these days, we can term him or her as a living legend. Such are Gita and acting like a true "Karmath Yogi". He always believes in on the subject, 'The Honest Actor'. In a free ties; you act for a purpose, and that purpose is to com- the attributes which I have always discovered in my father Shri the theory that Truth always prevails and never gives-up fighting wheeling interview with Shoma A. Chatterji, municate a text to the audience. That's more important Baldev Sharma who has touched 80th year of his existence today. for it with the belief that ultimately, the success will touch feet one than your own performance. While expressing gratitude to my creator, it is indeed my honour day provided one does give-up till the last. He hardly believes in he shares his views on the art of acting Has the cut-throat competition brought down and great fortune to find my biggest inspiration of life within the preaching or quoting his own examples but he sets examples by the quality of acting and the honesty in an actor four walls of my home boundaries only. Whenever some- his real-time actions for others to follow if they can. today? body is asked about inspiration in life, he or she talks An epitome of success in public life, my father Shri Baldev There are conditions over which an actor has little either about a world leader or some iconic figure, Sharma started his career as a young student leader who or no control. How can one expect a person to be objec- but since childhood, I was fortunate to find same rose to serve as Member of Legislative Assembly even in my father itself. And the biggest thing is that tive when he has to convey someone else's ideas, con- before I was born, saw him contributing a co-opera- he is not only my ideal but an ideal to many tive man since childhood, being a globe-trotter, big cepts, ideologies? The audience can't distinguish successful people who equally attribute their contributor for Red Cross activities, exchanging between real tears and glycerine-induced tears. Some- success, name and fame towards following cross-cultural attributes, raising and founding lot of times, for some actors, glycerine-induced tears can be the foot-steps of my father, either directly or successful co-operative sector models of the pres- more effective than natural tears. The blame should be indirectly. ent day, heading and chairing apex co-operative squarely placed on people who are making films. A man of indomitable will, strength of bodies, representing a lone director from state in Why is this happening? character, life full of principles, charismat- apex cooperative body i.e., NAFED for consecu- The minute the price of an actor begins to be deter- ic personality, always willing to help even tively 15 long years, he touched almost all kinds of mined by his ability to hold the audience captive, the at this age of 80 (irrespective of personal social contribution peaks since his early years of star is born and acting becomes secondary. The cur- health conditions), sharing sorrows and joys life without any influence, lobbying or support of any- body, I believe, it is almost impossible to find a suc- rent quality of actors' output is abysmal. It's only when of everybody around, an example of social- ization even in today's materialistic world, sup- cess story like this if we talk of the present era. the audience begins to demand fresh and new films port, guide and philosopher for many; really, it What gives me biggest pride is visible in the fact might we begin to talk about an 'honest' approach. The is almost impossible to find a replica of my father that he never vouched to support even a single thing refinement and the restraint we saw in films like Kagaz in the present era. regarding me nor went to use any kind of his influence to EXCERPTS OF INTERVIEW: Ke Phool and Do Bigha Zameen is lost. I sincerely feel Although this world is full of criticism and competi- help me ever. At the same time, he neither stopped me from Did you ever meet Satyajit Ray in person? that some of the acting today can be described as tors who always try to undermine others goodness or want to experiencing anything or taking my independent decisions nor did Yes, if you can call them 'meetings' in a manner of 'grotesque.' But again, the poor quality of acting is a prove that all are wrong except for themselves, yet, I always learnt he force anything upon me, be it in terms of career building or speaking. The first time was indirectly through his pho- reflection of poor writing and the poor quality of vision this lesson from my father that before criticizing others, see your education or travel or exposure to outside world. And whatever tograph I saw in a magazine when I was only 12 years around it. own faults first and then raise fingers on others. This lesson of or wherever I have reached today, it is all attributed his open-end- ed approach towards me and my decision-making. old. The second experience happened when I was a You were deeply influenced by Geoffrey Kendall life I have learnt from him since my childhood and he does not student of the National School of Drama in Delhi. The even spare me telling the same thing if ever I dare to talk nega- In nutshell, I would sum up with this words that it's a real priv- of Shakespeareana tive about anybody else at home. ilege and honour to have a father like Shri Baldev Sharma whose school was screening Ingmar Bergman's Silences and When I was a student of St.Joseph's in Nainital, the Ray was seated right in front of me, his towering figure The word honesty and integrity flows like a river when we talk 80th birthday we are celebrating today with unlimited prayers from Kendalls came with their touring theatre, Shakespeare- about him. Numerous examples and highest standards of hon- all his well-wishers to give him long life, prosperity and happiness almost blocking my view. But it didn't matter because I ana. Geoffrey Kendall encouraged me to take up act- esty he has set which are really difficult for anybody to follow in so that his blessings can always be showered upon us in times was more busy staring at his great back than watching ing. As a young boy I appreciated his acting ability: his today's world. I myself saw few things since childhood in his char- to come. Lastly, I wish if all of us can imitate his divine qualities, the film. The third time was grounded in reality. Mirch mastery over his voice and intonation, his control of acter like returning gifts back, selfless efforts for getting jobs to temperament, simplicity, honesty and integrity in today's world Masala was part of the IIFI, Delhi. After the screening, muscles, and his ability to instantly adopt the persona numerous people, never accepting any nominations to highest when we have to play roles of father at different stages. God Bless he came to me and shook my hand. I was overawed. of Macbeth, Hamlet or King Lear. But, later on, I realised seats of power, strictly following the law of the land, choosing dem- him, always and thanks to him for being the best father in the Were you happy when you received this invita- ocratic elections as the sole medium, sermonizing only those world. his true greatness lay somewhere else: his real mis- tion? attributes which he himself follows and practices, etc. (The author is a senior KAS Officer and an e-Governance expert of J&K Government Of course, and I consider it an honour and also a sion was to communicate a text; all other activities were He got through many rough phases of life like many people, who has recently specialized through Post-Graduation in e-Governance at IIM Indore. He kind of poetic irony in that I never worked under him subservient to this main purpose - communicating a in terms of betrayals or sabotages from so called 'friends' or peo- can be reached at [email protected] or amit1kas (Facebook ID)) and here I am, asked to talk about what the phrase 'hon- particular text to the audience. Then there was the great est actor' means. Not having worked under Ray is one interaction with Ibrahim Alkazi when I was at the NSD. HISTORY of the biggest regrets of my life.

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