'I don't shave when I am not shooting'

Several years ago, when this writer was assigned the task of asking winners of a popular awards show regular questions like 'did you expect it and how does it feel', the only winner who admitted to expecting the award was Paresh Rawal.

Used to replies like, 'no, the award has come as a pleasant surprise' and the like, I remember Rawals' matter-of-fact manner. His inclination to answer in monosyllables hasn't changed much, and his forthright manner remains intact.

The actor talks to Sonia Chopra about his funny role in Hattrick, how he is bored of comedy, and much more.

What role do you play in Hattrick?

I play Hemu Patel, a Gujarati who has been living in London for 16 years as an illegal immigrant. He lives with his wife Priya and daughter Nattie. Hemu is a huge fan of cricket and never misses a match in the local pub. He lies about being influential to his friends. He actually works as a janitor at the Heathrow Airport. His aim in life is to somehow acquire a British citizenship.

Where do his loyalties lie?

In order to get his British citizenship, Hemu fakes his patriotism for England. But in reality, his loyalties lie with India. Being a huge cricket fan, he wants the Indian team to defeat the British at cricket. He hates the British for ruling over India and this is his way of taking revenge. He thinks, 'Aur kuch nahin kar sakte, to kam se kam cricket mein to haraana chaihiye' (if nothing else, at least we should defeat the British at cricket).

There's a sudden spate of films on cricket and sports?

More so on sports. Also, Hattrick is not based on cricket as such; that's just a part of the story.

Are you a lover of cricket yourself?

I do enjoy cricket, but the game is over hyped. It's a case of overkill, and I have lost that kind of interest now.

You are obviously trying to do different roles, even within the comedy fragment. Was that your attempt with Yun Hota To Kya Hota?

Yes, that was my intention. I liked the role of Raju Bhai, as it required both a serious performance as well as comedy.

Why do you think the film didn't work?

That's an impossible question. There are 10,000 reasons why a film doesn't work. You can't really pinpoint. But I think it was a good film. Just because good films don't work does not mean we should stop making them.

Wasn't theatre your stepping stone to films?

Yes, Karim Morani saw me in a Hindi play and offered me Arjun. I was also inspired to get into film acting after I saw Naseeruddin Shah's performances.

Being a theatre person, what difference do you find in the two mediums?

Theatre is an actor's medium. An actor has little control over a film. Which is why most actors who have done theatre, and then come to films find the former more creatively satisfying.

You started your career as a villain and then moved to comedy. What do you enjoy doing more?

Any character that is challenging is enjoyable to the artist. It's important to be cautious enough not to get slotted. I would like to attempt to do all kinds of roles.

But currently you are slotted in the comic category. Are you trying to make a break from it?

Obviously. I am bored of comedy. And the audience will also tire seeing me do the same thing over and over again. There's at least some kind of fun in doing intelligent comedy, but I am tired of doing run-of-the-mill work. I am making a conscious effort to do different kinds of roles; you should see me in various diverse performances in a few months.

Do you follow the work of other comic actors like Boman Irani?

All of them are very fine artists. I am not just saying that for the sake of it. Boman Irani is a wonderful human being and a terrific actor.

Any comic role performed by an actor that you wish you had done?

No, that's not how it happens. I don't try to see myself in every role. If I like someone's performance, I try and learn from it. I don't try and imagine how I would have performed the same role.

What does Paresh Rawal do when he is not shooting?

I read, watch a lot of movies and spend time with my family. And most importantly, I don't shave.