By Hindustan Times
Naseeruddin Shah, who plays an encounter specialist in his upcoming film, says his character isn’t according to an actual cop. In an interview with Roshmila Bhattacharya, he opens up.
What made you sign the film, Maximum?
After back-to-back projects, I wasn’t within the mood to tackle another film. But I USED TO BE drawn by (director) Kabeer Kaushik’s conviction. I’d been impressed by his concern for the forces in Sehar (2005). Now, he’s back with this story of 2 encounter cops. I’ve always encouraged young filmmakers, despite the fact that the 3 debutants I worked with last year made terribly disappointing movies.
Is your character modelled on Daya Nayak (the Mumbai encounter cop who was within the news between 1997 and 2003)?
(Smiles) I don’t even know what Daya Nayak looks as if. Daya and Pradeep Sharma’s lives could also be fodder for the script, however the story is fictional. Encounters didn’t begin with them. As a child, I remember a friend’s cop father was referred to as the dacoit-killer of UP after he gunned down dacoits who’d surrendered. He reasoned that nobody would testify against them and they’d be out on bail in two weeks.
What’s your tackle cops who shoot to kill?
It’s easy to sentence them because we’re coping with human life here. Even a few of these cops (who were in jail until recently) are loose cannons. It’s a chilling realisation, but then, the lifetime of a cop is hellishly difficult given their ridiculous pay packets and job pressures.
Is the police fraternity more likely to be upset?
I can’t say. People get upset over trivialities just like the use of the word barber or a cobbler in a song.
Will the underworld take umbrage, for the reason that the film shows a Bollywood star with links to the mafia?
(Laughs) Unless their interests are harmed, I don’t see them getting upset. They've a whole lot of other problems to fret about.
When RGV ditched Naseer!
It’s rumoured that Naseer has signed Ram Gopal Varma’s Amma 3D being made in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and English. Naseer denies it, saying, “No, but Ramu surfaces every few years looking to interest me with a task. He came to me with Department and a personality who’s heard, but never seen within the film. I accepted, concerned about the novelty, after which he disappeared.”
