Hard work, with no luck: Prashant Narayanan's journey in Bollywood

The very elusive actor Prashant Narayanan talks about his debut in Malayalam cinema and life as an actor...

Was a Malayalam film an obvious choice when it comes to regional films?
I’ve done Shadows Of Time earlier, which is a Bengali film; but when an offer comes from an eminent director like Sibi Malayil, it could be in any language and I’d agree. My parents though are very happy that I’m doing a film in Malayalam.

What’s your role in Unnam?
I play the owner of a club who wants to expand his business and thinks up a plan to make a quick buck. It’s an aggressive character, with his heart in the right place.

Your role in Murder 2 made everyone sit up. How challenging was it?
Every movie I do is a challenge for me and if all my movies had the same marketing strategies that Murder 2 had, the audiences would have been abuzz a long time back. The only challenge that I felt was when it used to get too hot in those clothes (he plays a eunuch serial killer). I think I’ve done much better work and a lot of close associates too feel so. But I’m thankful that Murder 2 has made people sit up in their chairs, quietly...

Ever since your debut in 1995, you’ve played a lot of memorable characters. Is it all hard work or luck too?
Hard work — with no luck. I don’t think I’m one of those actors who will say that “It was so much fun on the set.” — I’ve never been able to do that, neither do I want to. I approach all roles with honesty.

Do you think networking is vital in the industry?
I’m in one of those positions where if you’ve thought of me while writing a script, that offer will come to me. I’ve never been into hard selling and am not going to go there either. As a concept, networking is vital but not in the long run. I have no ambition to see myself in the newspapers.

You’ve never been on a signing spree. Was it a conscious decision?
Signing sprees are done by people who want to kill the goose and not wait for the eggs. I’m secure as an actor and I don’t have to do all that. In any case, I’m pretty moody about taking up things.

TV, theatre, films — which is closest to you?
Films — its magic can never be replaced with anything else. They are all different media and I don’t think doing theatre is ever going to help an actor be in front of the camera. The entire notion that if an actor does theatre, he must be good is bull****.

You started as an assistant director. Ever contemplated directing a film?
Of course, I’ve already written five feature films and am in the process of meeting the right people with them. I will direct when the time is right.

Your future projects?
I’m travelling to Varanasi to shoot for Manish Tiwary’s Issaq and in December, I start another film with some really big names.

Would you say you’ve been stereotyped in the industry because of your so-called non-hero looks?
Non-hero looks? A lot of people might really not agree to this. By the time I die, I’m going to have one of the best DVD collections that will be envied by all actors!