India is seeing a new linguistic trend: Amol Palekar

Languages and fine sensibilities are extensions of one another in the world of appreciation of modern cinema and stage — one has to have a feel and flair for the two to enjoy the mediums, said actor-filmmaker Amol Palekar in a literary forum at the ongoing 20th World Book Fair in Delhi.

“If I speak in one language, I should be able to complete the sentence in that language. If I speak in Marathi, I should end in Marathi. But today’s languages are assimilating so many influences,” Palekar said.

He said languages merge naturally in Indian cinema in a reflection of the new linguistic trends. “For example Urdu — Hindustani and Urdu are almost one in Hindi cinema. As long as you understand it, the language is Hindustani and the moment you don’t understand it, the language becomes Urdu,” Palekar said.

Palekar released two Urdu books, Jauhar-e-Adakari and Urdu aur Bollywood, at the World Book Fair.

The actor, who shot to fame in 1974 with Basu Chatterjees Rajnigandha and Chhoti Si Baat, said: “In our country... in every language we have a tremendous treasure which cannot be compared to any other country.”

One of his directorial ventures, Paheli, was based on a Rajasthani folk tale. “If we look at our literature, we will be empowered intellectually,” he said. A regular face on the Marathi stage, Palekar began experimental theatre with Satyadev Dubey in the early 1970s.

“In Maharashtra people are born mad — and the madness is for theatre and books,” he said. “We are talking about 100 years of Indian cinema, but in Maharashtra, theatre is more than 160 years old. Out of the 160 years, for more than 90 years people had been flocking to the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Sammnelan. They have a special love for theatre,” Palekar said.

“Traditional Marathi families would often sit together and read plays after work as a literary exercise,” he said.

“The Marathis also love books. An old Marathi book, — considered a classic about a mother’s love — sold more than 100,000 copies in a new edition at the book fair. I am extremely happy to be here,” he said.

According to Palekar, like books, “cinema is part of our lives”. “Cricket and cinema keep us together,” the actor said. “Everyone is an expert. How Sachin Tendulkar should play, how SRK should act, how a movie should be made... people pass judgment on everything,” Palekar added.