You started your career by doing lot of theatre, so what prompted this shift to films?
I joined theatre in 1961, did many plays and more than 2,000 performances on stage. I shifted to films because it's more lucrative obviously. You earn more, travel more.

Of course, the Amrish Puri of theatre and the Amrish Puri of films do have differences; in fact, we hurl shoes at each other. When I am doing theatre, I can pick and choose. In films, I am bound by the rules and limitations of the film. I have to work within these bounds. Of course, how well I perform depends on me. And theatre has definitely taught me a lot in this respect. Actually, it's only the media that change, the talent remains the same.

You have acted with two generations of actors. How do the actors of today compare with those of yesteryears?
In the past, actors considered acting a puja. Today, it is more of a duty, a job you are paid for handsomely so that you deliver the goods. The dedication has gone. Today, actors come and actors go. They have no formal training and come in because they are well-connected. In the past, if actors came, all of them remained, grew and matured into fine performers.

These days, there are no absolutes in films - no completely good guy, no totally bad guy. There are shades of grey as opposed to the stark black and white of yore. Does that mean that heroes are staking claim to the villains' territory?
It's a good thing that this is happening. This means that an actor performs various roles in one film. This makes his job more challenging. Moreover, he gets to explore his potential better. This is no threat to the guys who play villains; they, too, will have other kinds of roles to play.

What about your dream role... still waiting for one?
Yes. I have had many satisfying roles, but the dream role is yet to happen. Dream roles are those that are written well. My role in Virasat was good simply because it was so well-delineated.

What do you prefer doing - negative or positive roles?
That is immaterial. A role is a role. I am an actor and I have to do what I am asked to do. I have to abide by the script.

Which roles have satisfied you most?
Roles in Nishant, Manthan, Bhoomika, Hum Paanch, Muskurahat, Ghatak, Virasat, Pardes...

You've had the privilege of working with some wonderful directors. Who has been your favourite?
Shyam Benegal, Girish Karnad, Govind Nihlani, Subhash Ghai, Priyadarshan, Rajkumar Santoshi, Shekhar Kapur, Richard Attenborough... I've enjoyed working with all of them; they are all my favourites.

Do you plan to direct a film or start a software company like most other actors?
Not at all. I am an actor and will always remain one. Direction is not my cup of tea. I can't be that imaginative. And I don't think I have time to start a software company.

So tell us, how does it feel being clobbered by young actors?
Oh! I am not the one being beaten up. It's the good fighting the bad. I actually enjoy it. I yell and scream so that people realise that it is really terrible to be bad.

You have performed at the Balgandharva Rangmandir here. What do you think of the Pune audience?
They are culturally rich and very knowledgeable. When you perform in front of them, you know it is not a case of bhains ke saamne been bajana.

So what's the secret behind your long and successful career?
An actor should look after his health and body. The body is the actor's instrument and he should keep very fit. I am very particular about that and follow a regular exercise pattern.