A still from Ishqiya

An overwhelming response awaits all those genuine artistes who set principles, keep a benchmark for everything they do and refuse to become a part of the rat race.

One such name is that of veteran actor Salman Shahid who has always done what he sets his mind to in a career spanning well over three decades. The son of legendary TV actress Khursheed Shahid, Salman has appeared in his second Bollywood film, Ishqiya, co-starring and holding his own against Naseeruddin Shah, Vidhya Balan and Arshad Warsi.

How has the experience been for him and why has he not taken to direction are just a few questions that Images on Sunday put to him when we recently caught up with the accomplished actor.

Q. Showing Indian films in Pakistani cinema houses has served as the last nail in the coffin for the local film industry. What do you have to say about it?

A. I agree with it to a certain extent. For the past 60 years we have kept ourselves closed to Indian films. It's only two or three years back that their import and exhibition got legal cover.

In spite of enjoying that monopolistic spree, our film industry didn't progress but kept declining, thereby leading to the present gloom. The world is not what it was a few decades back. It has transformed into a global village. The means of communication have multiplied, drawing a massive flow of technology and investment. The only way to survive is to bring quality to what we produce so that it may get its own market value and customer appeal.

Moreover, the responsibility rests with our industry. The flippant performance of our films gave leverage to Indian films to firmly establish their place here.

Exhibitors left with nothing to offer cine goers found Indian films a much better option. Previously they were exhibiting films and now there are importing films, while film studios are now booked for TV productions. The real sufferers have been film writers, music composers, stuntmen and the artistes.

Q. In 1976 you were honoured with a scholarship from the PNCA to study film-making in Moscow, yet you have never directed a film. Why?

A. It was neither film-making nor acting but cinematography as I wanted to get trained in the technical side of film-making. Unfortunately, nobody was making the kind of films I wanted to direct or wanted to act for. I feel that if you want to create something of your own then you also have to come up with the entire infrastructure. But if you want to be a part of the rat race, then things are already streamlined for it.

Q. How did you bag the role in Ishiqya and what made you accept it?

A. I had already done Kabul Express in India and many people in India are quite familiar with me as an actor. Abhishek Chaubey the director was told by Vishal Bharatvaj about me who was in search of an artiste for the character of Mushtaq. I was approached by their casting director who emailed a short script with a team from a local studio of Lahore and requested me to read out a scene in front of a camera as audition. They said that in Kabul Express my role and accent was totally different from the role they were offering me in Ishqiya, and also said that they haven't had a chance to see my other work. Later, I got to know that a lot of other senior character artistes had also been auditioned in India for the role.

Q. Wasn't the subject of Ishqiya too blunt and open?

A. I don't think so. There are bold scenes but they are not vulgar. Besides, they have been executed quite well, look sensible and blend with the main story quite rationally.

Q. How was the experience of working with Naseeruddin Shah and the rest of the cast?

A. Most of my scenes had been with Naseer and Arshad Warsi, and it was thoroughly entertaining working with both. It was my second film with them. Arshad is very pleasant in nature with a lot of wit and humour infused in his personality. Naseer on the other hand is a living legend, matured and a thorough professional who has his own way of carrying himself. Besides, it was an overwhelming experience with Abhishek Chaubey who made his debut with Ishqiya.

Q. Are you satisfied with your film career and how do you find the Hindi film industry?

A. Artistically, I feel content that all the four films that I have been a part of are not run-of-the-mill. Each has its own individuality, neither truly art films nor purely commercial. The roles I performed in both these films were different than the usual Bollywood fare. The most notable thing in their films is their strong technical side. From camerawork to editing, to minute details of execution to post-production, they give their 100 per cent and that reflects in the final outcome. Kabul Express was director Kabir Khan's debut film under the Yash Raj banner, and Ishiqya is director Abhishek Chaubey's debut made by Vishal Bharatvaj and Shemaroo Entertainment. But I never felt that I was working with debutants.

Q. Some say that our artistes don't get good roles in Indian films. Even if they do, their roles are chopped off during editing to maintain the dominance of Indian stars. Comment.

A. Well, even in Ishqiya 40 per cent of my work is chopped off but I don't see any conspiracy behind it. It usually happens in the projects in which we get bigger and meaty roles. Even in Khamosh Pani which was a Pakistani film my role was drastically chopped off. The same happened in Kabul Express too. Actually the narrative of the film is based on the leading characters and when a director sees that the supporting characters don't carry his story further no matter how brilliantly they have performed, it is edited as he wants to maintain the pace of the film. Although we have always suspected them and they suspect us of trickery too, I don't think that anybody would do anything at the cost of the product.

Q. Are there any more offers from Bollywood? What projects are keeping you busy these days?

A. I haven't signed anything more as yet. I have many scripts with me and I'm working on them. It takes me quite long to think and I normally spend much time on ideas. I have already shot a 30-minute short art film, Numaish, and these days I'm occupied with its editing. A tele film, Sleuth, co-starring Frayal Gauhar is also in the pipeline that is adapted from a film of the same name made by Peter Shaffer in 1970.

Q. How do you find the newcomers with the mushrooming of satellite TV channels?

A. Nobody wants to learn anything as they think they know everything, and if luckily they get famous (not due to their work but their looks) then they start thinking “hum akalmund bhi koi nahin”. Unfortunately nobody desires to become an actor, everyone aims to be a 'star'. Probably they are unapprised to the fact that to become a star, for all intents and purposes, it's important to become an actor first.

I like a few people from the younger lot and I enjoyed working with Adil Shair and Nasir Khan in Na Jaane Kyun, and then a tele film, Chauda Din (14 Days). I found them dealing with things professionally and taking a keen interest right from the paperwork to its execution.

Q. After doing two films in Pakistan, Khwahish and Khamosh Pani, you refrained from signing any more projects. Why?

A. The kind of films that I wanted to do have never been made here. Neither is it possible for me to make one, nor is it possible for me to be a part of what is being made here. Offers to make films had been coming my way ever since I was a student of Government College where I directed stage plays. I was approached through my mother to join them. Khawhish was my debut film and the last film made by the late Nazarul Islam. Khamosh Pani was a very interesting project and when the writer and director read out the script to me, I became a part of it.

Q. Have you ever thought of remaking Such Gup and Taal Matool?

A. Expecting the same team to remake it is not practical. The format is still there, but it's very difficult.

Q. Are you children following your footsteps?

A. I have one daughter and she has inherited an interest in acting. She works for her school plays and lately she performed in some of Sheema Kirmani's plays.

Q. In the past few years theatre has drastically improved. Your affiliation with theatre has been a long one as well.

A. I started my career with theatre and some of my best work has been for stage. It is encouraging to see people contributing to the revival of good theatre.

Q. Any suggestions for improvement?

A. We need professionals. Aaj kal hur ayra ghayra nutho khaira drama bana raha hai kiyon kay iss mein tharak hai aur paisa bhi bunn jata hai. We need people who understand art in all its manifestation. Today, people associated with channels are spoiling their own programming. Even if a good drama is made they don't let the viewers establish a relationship with it. The quantity of ads, their quality and running time is not checked. People associated with TV channels are earning in millions but they don't pay artistes unless and until (s)he is a big star. It's high time Pemra looked into it.