Former adman and one of the first actors from the country to make it big in cinema and theatres in the West, Kabir Bedi, now makes a return to the Indian small screen as a chat show host.
Bedi, who acted in James Bond movie Octupussy and popular soap The Bold and the Beautiful, now plays an interviewer who explores the minds of famous directors such as Shekhar Kapur and David Dhawan.
Bedi, 61, last seen in Main Hoon Na, initially came to Mumbai with directorial ambitions. "The idea behind the show is to get to know the director's mind. My aim is not to confront or expose but delve into the experiences of the directors and have a conversation with them," he says. So far, for the show called Director's Cut, Bedi has interviewed 13 directors, including Shekhar Kapur, Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Santoshi, Anurag Kashyap and Prakash Jha, and there are plans to do 13 more.
"I have tried to include directors from all age groups. Personally as an actor I have worked with a range of directors all my life and have always wanted to have a peep into what goes in their minds. What prompts directors to choose their subjects, how they find inspiration, how they conceive a role and get precise performances from actors is what fascinates me," says the actor, who has just tied up a major project in Italy.
Also, Kabir Bedi is quick to add that "people are always interested in knowing about others." This he says is going to be the main USP of Director's Cut. "I am sure the viewers would love it, more so because I am involved in a conversation with the directors where I let them do the taking to their heart's content. We talk for hours to get a 30-40 minute show."
The versatile actor, who has directed films for advertising agencies like Lintas and O&M, dreams to direct a film and is still looking for the right project. Science fiction or fantasy does not interest him. "I am looking for rich drama and great human emotions. Given my background and experience in international cinema I will have no problems in getting my films financed, but for now I will always continue to act," says Bedi.
