Shotgun Booms, Again!

Kidnap threats, a new play, Bihar’s perennial CM-in-waiting tells Ashlesha Athavale he’s found a new groove in his life

Shatrughan Sinha rehearsing for his play Pati, Patni Aur Main in Mumbai

"I am cool," says Shatrughan Sinha. In the immediate context, Sinha is referring to the recent kidnapping threat he received— "it’s a professional hazard"— but in general, ‘cool’ attitude governs a lot of what he does. Like the new play he’s acting in, for example. Titled Pati, Patni Aur Main, the play, produced by Sanjay Goradia, premieres today at Mumbai’s Nehru Centre, and has Sinha in a starring role.

"Of course, I’ve brought my one-liners to the play," says the Rajya Sabha MP, who wears his Bihari machismo on his kurta sleeve. Almost immediately, a sample one-liner follows: "Mineralkhand went to Jharkhand and criminalkhand remained in Bihar."

The brand of humour is unmistakably Shotgun, but Sinha proceeds to steer the conversation to the more serious. "The stage is the most potent medium for an actor," he explains. For Sinha, a "real" debut on the professional stage has been in the making for five years (he did act in a play, Yatri, immediately after graduating from FTII, Pune). When friend and Pati, Patni Aur Main director Ramesh Talwar, and producer-director Raman Kumar tested the idea on him, they found him more than amenable. "It’s been like an acting workshop for me," says the clearly excited Sinha. "When you’re a filmstar, it is the influence of personality, more than the acting, that determines your status. In theatre, it’s the opposite. There is no makeup man or co-star to help you. You’re before a live audience, not a camera."

Sinha admits that theatre has always been an abiding interest, but it was films that gave him his identity. Despite the dabbling in politics, acting — on screen and now, on stage — continues to be the big deal. "Der aye, durust aye (better late than never)", he says of his theatre foray. It’s just that most other crossover actors have made the transition from stage to screen. Not that it bothers Sinha.

The play, "a family affair, intended for the masses in general and husbands and wives in particular", also has a number of youngsters acting in it. Sinha, though aware of the fact that most of these actors are in awe of him, admits the interaction has been very fulfilling for him as well. "I feel charged up when I see them."

Politics, and now theatre, don’t seem to have put a permanent stop to Sinha’s film career. Film offers are always pouring in, but he regrets not having the time to make his screen comeback. "I might do one film," he hopes, or another play, later. That he is enjoying the stage experience is obvious when he says: "Acting in this play is like an extension of my profession. Or rather, it is the basic foundation in my profession."

Sinha also casts a keen eye on the new crop of Bollywood heroes—mostly sons of stars who were his contemporaries. "In our time, we used to praise Jeetu’s (Jeetendra) dancing, but look at Chintu (Tusshar) now. He’s so good." As fulsome as he is in his praise for debutant Tusshar Kapoor, Sinha extends sympathy in equal measure for Abhishek Bachchan’s bad luck so far. "Abhishek just needs a very good break, because a film’s success doesn’t depend solely on the hero’s ability to act. Even Amitabh didn’t do too well in many of his films in the beginning." Sinha obviously manages to find the time to watch the new offerings from Bollywood, and admits he’s looking forward to the Deol’s forthcoming release, Gadar.

Then, the humour rises to the surface again, and you can tell from the twinkle in his eyes that a Shotgunism is on its way. "Actors today are very keen on maintaining a good physique. But sometimes, the gym culture gives way to what I call agriculture, which is very funny." Agriculture, if you will, refers to the tendency of certain actors to forget acting and concentrate on performing PT well, "especially in song sequences!"

While he takes the kidnapping threat in his stride, and insists his family too remains nonplussed about it—"my assistant received the threat on his mobile, got worried and complained to the police"—Sinha slips into his politician’s avatar with admirable elan. Ask him when he will become the chief minister of Bihar, and you’re greeted with a shout of laughter. "Purush ka bhagya aur stri ka charitra (by charitra, I mean the many unpredictable moods of women), bata nahin sakte." Of course, he hastens to add the mandatory line: "It will be with the blessings of god and people when it happens." And this time, there are no Shotgunisms within earshot.