Entertainment

Irfan Khan and Tabu in Maqbool
Irfan Khan and Tabu in Maqbool

The Bard’s Bollywood remake


3/ 8/2004

BOLLYWOOD actor Irfan Khan grew up watching Naseeruddin Shah's films so when an offer came to star opposite his idol in 'Maqbool' he grabbed it.
And as the old cliché goes, "it was a dream come true" for the 38-year-old actor who played the lead role in the film which is a Bollywood remake of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Shah was a fortune telling corrupt police officer representing one of the three witches in the original play.
Said Irfan: "I was playing a lead role in a film with Naseeruddin Shah, things couldn't be better in my career.
"I've always admired him as an actor, he's always chosen very tough roles and wasn't afraid to try something different.
"When I found out he was going to star in 'Maqbool' as well, I was really excited. He's a great actor to work with, very professional and I learned so much from him."
'Maqbool' is director Vishal Bhardwaj's second film.
Members of the Mumbai mafia take the place of Scottish royalty. King Dunfor example is replaced by crime don Abbaji.
Maqbool (Irfan) is Abbaji's most trusted lieutenant. He is ready to kill or die for his boss but things change after he develops romantic feelings for Abbaji's beautiful mistress Nimmi (played by Tabu).
She uses her beauty and charms to seduce Maqbool and then asks him to kill Abbaji and take his place in the underworld.
Maqbool is reluctant at first but when he finds out that Abbaji's mafia kingdom will be inherited by his son-in-law, he decides to act.
Blinded by greed and his love for Nimmi, Maqbool kills Abbaji to take over his throne in the crime kingdom. But guilt takes a deep root in his mind and keeps on haunting him. More dead bodies keep piling up and it is only a matter of time before Maqbool's mafia kingdom will come tumbling down.
Said Irfan: "I think the film is very well done and really sticks closely to the story of 'Macbeth'. My character has to go through some very intense emotions because he's just racked with guilt. Maqbool is a very tough guy and doesn't want to break down, but if you watch the film you could see the intensity of the situation in his eyes.
"The film is definitely not your typical big budget commercial movie. I enjoy doing different roles and this was a very tough one.
"It is good for actors like myself that new film makers are entering the industry and making different kinds of film. It has opened so many chances for us. We are at a peculiar stage where films made with big budgets and bigger stars are failing, and small films are getting recognised. Different storylines are being experimented with, fresh characters are being written. I enjoy such films."
The film premiered in Manchester during the Commonwealth Film Festival and Irfan says he had a great time in the city and loved the Curry Mile.
He said: "Rusholme is like a little India, it was great. We were sat at a restaurant and people were coming over and asking for my autograph."
Although Irfan has been doing really well in his career he had never planned on acting.
He joined the National School of Drama, New Delhi, only because he did not want to study. Very soon, it became a passion.
In his final year of college, he was cast in Mira Nair's 'Salaam Bombay'. However, after a month-long workshop, his role was edited. Sorely disappointed, Irfan was not one to lose hope.
He started doing theatre in Delhi and then came to Mumbai in 1990. He did his first film the following year, Drishti starring Dimple Kapadia and Shekhar Kapoor. Following that, there was Tapan Sinha's 'Ek Doctor Ki Maut' and Shyam Benegal's 'Ward Number Six.'
He then starred in soaps with serials including 'Darr' and 'Banegi Apni Baat' making him a household name.
Since then he has widened his horizon with hit film 'The Warrior,' winning accolades in the London and French film festival and he hopes this will continue with 'Maqbool'.


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