I am not caricaturing Mallya: Suhel Seth

Author and marketing maven Suhel Seth stars in Madhur Bhandarkar’s soon-to-be-released film, Calendar Girls. What makes this cinematic outing intriguing is the fact he essays a role based on Dr Vijay Mallya. Suhel’s been a friend to the businessman and one’s keen to know how he prepared for the role and if he had any reservations. Over to him...

Any reservations about playing Vijay Mallya?
Why should there be any reservations? Silly question. He is a dear friend; built many formidable brands and yes suffered failure but we can’t obliterate all he has achieved for the sake of one failure. In any event I am not playing Mallya: I am playing an industrialist who, like Mallya in the real world, also invests in a calendar brand. Therefore, I am not caricaturing Mallya. I am playing a character in the script. Simple.

Did you have any inputs to give in terms of the character?
I have acted in 138 plays: Khushwant Singh in his biography mentioned my role as Bhutto as the finest performance he had seen. So I am an actor who will of course give inputs as any actor should within the framework of the script. Which is what I did.

You have known Mallya for years. Did you check with him before accepting the role?
I didn’t check with him: in fact I shot for the film and did mention it to him and he was pretty delighted. In fact he even told Madhur that he should have been asked to play himself and perhaps he would have agreed. So there.

The wig in the film isn’t very Mallya. Agree?
As I said earlier, it is not Mallya because I am not Mallya. Therein lies the irony of your question.

Actors progress from Bhandarkar to Bhansali. You have done the reverse. Any comments?
Bollywood is not my bread and butter: I do it because I love acting. I don’t compare directors. I compare scripts and then assess my competence and more importantly the demands it makes on my time. And that is how all actors should and perhaps do work. Bhansali is brilliant as is Madhur as is Pooja Bhatt (for whom I did Rog) so comparisons of directors are odious. What you should see is the final product.

Which director did u enjoy working with more?
I have enjoyed myself with all: I have worked with Mrinal Sen; with Pooja and Mahesh Bhatt; with Bhansali; with Zoya Akhtar and now Madhur and each brings his or her own level of delightful insanity which is unique and worthy of being cherished.

If you could recommend another actor in your place to play Vijay who would it be?
I think Naseeruddin Shah would be brilliantly quirky.

How real is the character you are playing in terms of percentage? Did you do any research?
It is based on reality of the world we inhabit so I guess it will be real. No I didn’t do any research.

Will Mallya be upset or happy with his portrayal  in the film?
I am certain he won’t. There is nothing to be upset about. It is not about him.

So you think now that he is an actor Sid Mallya could have played the part?  
I don’t think I can comment on what Sid can or cannot do in terms of his thespian capabilities: this is a question you should address to directors and not actors.

Are you a collector of the Kingfisher calendar?
I am not a collector but a recipient of it.

Sid Mallya speak
What’s your take on Calendar Girls. Are you aware that Suhel Seth is playing your dad?
I’ve heard about it, but don’t really know too much about the project, or who’s playing who!

Have you seen any Madhur Bhandarkar film?
Sadly not. I don’t really watch much Bollywood.

Would you have agreed to be part of the film if asked?
Very doubtful!