He’s acted in films like Hey Ram, Slumdog Millionaire and most recently in Ranbir Kapoor starrer Barfi! But even after two decades of movies, it looks like Saurabh Shukla will never give up his first love – theatre. The actor, reputed for his comic prowess was in Chennai on Saturday to perform at the Hyatt Regency, before which he sat down for a quick chat “Theatre helps me connect to myself,” he says, a tad introspective.
Although, he adds in retrospect, “I’m very conscious about choosing roles that I relate to — this way I deliver better.” Doesn’t the celluloid stage have a much wider reach, for any performer’s work? Shukla laughs and offers a healthy metaphor in response. “Biryani has a wide reach in India, that doesn’t mean we forget our dal chawal right?”
As far as food goes, the conversation meanders to Chennai’s cuisine without even a question in that direction. Its apparent that this performer is quite the foodie. “I love Tamil Nadu’s cuisine,” Shukla raves. “When we landed in Chennai, I took the whole cast for breakfast to Murugan Idli Shop,” he goes on, “and whenever I come here, I never miss out on rasam vada.” Turns out, he discovered it all during the making of Hey Ram, when almost a decade ago. “Chennai became my second home at the time,” the actor reminisces. “I made lots friends here.” His other big Kollywood connection came a few years later with director Shankar and actor Vikram in Anniyan.
However, the comedian reveals, “The person in the South that I have stayed in touch with constantly, no matter where I am is Mr Kamal Haasan.” Apparently, the two share a special bond, ever since they first met on the set of Hey Ram so many years ago. “Wherever I am, I call him,” he says, “and whenever he (Kamal Hasan) comes to Mumbai, he calls me.”
In fact, Shukla even goes on to hint at a potential project the two may be working on together in the future, but doesn’t commit to any specifics at this time. So what is Mumbai’s comedy-man working on next? It turns out, he’s stepped up in the cine world of law and order. From police inspector in Barfi! to judicial magistrate in the upcoming, Jolly LLB. “Judges are usually portrayed as carboard characters in Bollywood cinema,” the actor states, “but in this film, he has a full life and personality that comes through.” Also, in the works is his latest script for a satirical Hindi film that should be ready for production shortly.
Travelling cross-country for theatre shows, writing scripts and making shooting schedules – one has to wonder, where in the world does Shukla get the energy to do it all? He pauses, and then says with a smile, “Well, I don’t indulge in too much late night partying.”
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