Not so bad after all

Manika Ahuja 

Beware! Badman is back! No points for guessing, we are talking about the most-loved baddie of Bollywood, actor Gulshan Grover, who is in Chandigarh to talk about his latest film, Dushman, with ace director Mahesh Bhatt and the rest of the star cast in tow. 

Having acted in as many as 450 movies, Grover takes pride in being the undisputed titleholder of Hindi cinema's official bad guy. But there is something that the Bad Man himself is feeling 'bad' about — the conspicuous disappearance of iconic villains from the canvas of Bollywood! 

"Right from Amrish Puri as Mogambo, to Amjad Khan's memorable portrayal of Gabbar in Sholay — Indian cinema has witnessed some iconic baddies, who are rather hard to forget till date. But unfortunately, the dignity of the villain is being compromised today and that disturbs me," shares Grover, who feels it takes a supremely 'brilliant actor to portray a villain.' 

No glory

Grover also has a major problem when, "in the current movies, my actor friends playing negative roles, meet an end that is glorified out of proportion. I am sorry, but I have a problem with that glorified end. If you ask me, a villainous character should be humiliated and beaten so that the message reaches the audience that irrespective of who portrays a character with a negative tinge on screen if you are bad, this is the treatment you get!"  

Ban autobiographies 

While many rejoiced when actor Rishi Kapoor announced the arrival of his autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored, the book did not leave Grover quite amused. Wondering why? Well, hear it from him, "There is a part in the book where Rishi has made a mention of how, back in the day, Sanjay Dutt and I went to his place to beat him up over Tina Munim Ambani. Sanjay was having an affair with Tina and he had a 'fist-fight' with Rishi, who he took to be involved with her."  

Grover contemplates for a brief moment and goes on, "Now, look at the long span of time that has elapsed ever since that happened. But since it (the past incident) has come up again, look at the way how it is destroying people's happiness. So, as I see it, penning autobiographies should be banned! Or, if not that, there must be a legal provision directing the writer to seek permission from the people that he decides to mention in the autobiography." 

Dignity of the villain 

He switches over from the pensive mood, and gets back into his elements — talking about his unflinching love for villainous characters. "Dig out some old films, and pay close attention to the credits; you will see that the rest of the names were followed by an emboldened 'and Pran.' That is the power of these iconic negative characters. The dignity of the villain should not be compromised!"

So, the next time you find yourself silently mouthing dialogues such as — Mogambo khush hua or Kitne aadmi theey... a la late actors Amrish and Amjad, you know who to thank — the Badman, of course!

manikaahuja@tribunemail.com