Censor Board Seems Like A Joke: Nana Patekar Opens Up In This Rare Interview

In his illustrious career spanning over three decades, Nana Patekar has brought to life several remarkable characters, many of which are etched in our memory forever – one such is his encounter specialist act (no-nonsense cop Sadhu Agashe) in Ab Tak Chhappan released more than a decade ago.

The ‘self-admitting’ eccentric actor is back with the sequel of the crime thriller, Ab Tak Chhappan 2 directed by Aejaz Gulab. As the film is nearing its release (February 27), we spoke to B-town’s loveable Nana about his most anticipated sequel, playing his dream role – Natasamrat, AIB Roast, Censor Board new rules, Welcome Back and more.

Must say, the conversation was as entertaining and real as his on screen characters.

Ab Tak Chhappan was a cult movie of its genre. How did it feel to play Sadhu Agashe again and how does the story move forward?

You should watch the film to witness it. The crime cycle has been changed absolutely. Earlier, underworld was mostly run by illiterate gangsters but now dreaded gangsters are educated which has resulted in organized crime. The political participation has also increased. And to tackle this kind of crime, Sadhu Agashe has been called back by the police force with his new modus operandi. Sadhu is 60 plus now and is physically not strong as he was in Ab Tak Chhappan. How he comes back and tackles the situation is what Ab Tak Chhappan 2 is all about. The film focuses more on Sadhu and the emotional turmoil that he goes through rather than underworld. Crime is the backdrop. Ab Tak Chhappan is still loved by people and appears on television at least twice a month. So there is no gap as such. I had to inject the Sadhu Agashe in me and that’s all.

You are a ‘real’ actor and portray realism like no other actor in Bollywood. Given the fact that the Censor Board has come up with a new rule, what would be edited out of ‘real’ cinema?

I don’t know. It depends in what context things have been said and how it’s perceived. For example, if I’m talking to a friend and tell him in a friendly way: ‘Ae bh@#$a, tune khana khaya ke nahin?’ that doesn’t mean I’m demeaning my friend and it shouldn’t be taken in a bad light. Which Censor are you talking about? Does it have any control on content that is being uploaded on YouTube? Anybody can have an easy access to porn films. So Censor Board seems like a joke. We shouldn’t advocate use of cuss words unnecessarily. The people at Censor Board office who give certificate to films should be sensitive and strong enough to understand the medium of films. Everybody thinks differently.

Reportedly, you were supposed to direct Ab Tak Chhappan 2.

Maine unofficially bahot si filmein direct ki hai! People say I interfere a lot in the filmmaking process. Yes, I do. But I don’t care whether they give me credit for that. I keep interfering with my directors on sets. What’s the harm in it? Aejaz (Gulab) is relatively new to Hindi cinema. Usko dandey maar maar ke seekhaya hain, toh kya?

You’re working on your next called Natasamrat based on Marathi play…

Natasamrat is an old Marathi play. The title character was played for the first time by legendary actor Shriram Lagoo almost 40 years ago. I saw the play when I was a kid and was quite fascinated by it. I wonder whether I’ll ever get an opportunity to play Natasamrat on screen. Fortunately, I got the chance now. It was in my system for a long time. I’m eager to let that character out of my system because it’s bothering me. Bahot takleef deta hai mujhe woh character since it’s a very emotional one. It’s a classic play. If you could play it properly, you can call yourself a great actor. We are planning to complete the film by mid April.

So, you’re sporting thick beard for the same?

Yes, we are shooting the climax portions first. I play a 70-year-old man who’s ageing. It’s quite emotionally draining. I’m not able to sleep. It’s totally in my system now. I didn’t want to promote Ab Tak Chhappan 2 since I was too engrossed into the movie.

You would be doing Natasamrat in Hindi as well?

Yes, but I can’t shoot the film simultaneously in Hindi as that would be too taxing for me, plus the cast will be different. It’s too heavy a role for me. Baad mein dekhenge, Amitabh toh Amitabh karenge… main toh main karunga.

You’ve played a wide range of characters, be it negative, heroic and comic ones. Which one has been challenging?

Har character takleef deta hai. Be it Natasamrat or Welcome Back. As an actor, you have to be very spontaneous. And every character takes something out of you not just as an actor but also as an individual. You need to have the capacity to switch on and off, and have to be very alert.

Any other characters which you’re quite enamored by and want to play?

I wanted to play Bhagat Singh but now it’s not possible considering my age.

For that matter, any biopic you would like to be part of?

I’m going to play Baba Amte soon.

Why is that you’re playing inspiring roles in Marathi cinema and not in Hindi cinema?

Unfortunately, actors like me are not getting good scripts and exciting roles. I feel I don’t fit into the commercial set up of Hindi cinema and couldn’t jell with people who are money minded. As an actor I’m getting job satisfaction playing good roles in regional cinema then why should I run after inconsequential parts in Hindi cinema which will give me little more money. I want to satisfy the actor in me.

There’s one issue that has divided the nation and Bollywood and that’s AIB Roast. What’s your honest opinion on it?

I heard about it but I’m absolutely ignorant of what happened in the show. I will not do it. If you’re with your family or with your closed ones, will you abuse in front of them unnecessarily? I won’t. Kyunki yeh humare sanskar hain. We’ve been brought up with moral values. I feel it’s wrong. Surprisingly, they did all that after buying expensive tickets. It may be happening in the west but yahaan log hazam nahin kar sakte yeh sab.

You wrote a love story almost three to four years back which was to be produced by Prakash Jha then. What’s the status?

Karenge… It’s not necessary that Prakash Jha will only produce it.

Your character of Uday Shetty in Welcome was hugely appreciated. What would you say about Welcome 2? How has it shaped up?

Welcome was a chichora role but it was difficult to play. I totally went by Anees’s (Bazmee) conviction. The sequel has also shaped up well.

We read disturbing crime stories every day. As an actor, you get an opportunity to play real characters like Sadhu Agashe. Do you think that’s a way to let your frustration out while playing such characters?

I’m very fortunate that I’ve got the medium through which I can let out my suffocation, suppression, anger. Just imagine what normal individuals must be going through in their daily lives. Do they have any outlet to let their frustration out?

What’s your fitness mantra?

I exercise for two hours daily. I’m 65. You need to work out. I still lift weights. It’s a visual medium. Nobody likes to see ugly body on screen, whether it’s a woman or man.

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