When you visit his website, you will be greeted by a homepage where Amol Palekar describes himself as “an actor by accident, producer by compulsion and director by choice”. But there is more to the man. Before he thought of venturing into acting, he studied fine arts in Mumbai’s prestigious J.J. School of Arts and even held several solo exhibitions. However, it was not before long he realised that his heart lay in acting.
When he made his debut in Hindi cinema in Basu Chatterjee’s Rajnigandha, his boy-next-door persona made him a household name and he went on to rule the silver screen in the 1970s. It was in the 80s when he forayed into direction and found his calling there. His directorial debut was a Marathi film titled Akriet. Paheli (2006) is one of his most well known films as a director and it was also Indian’s official entry in the 2006 Oscars.
He says, “I made my directorial debut in 1980 and till date I continue to make films because I want to share a particular story — that story sometimes determines the language and also the cast. I’m really fortunate that I’ve been able to make films without thinking of ‘market demands’ and the audiences has loved and respected me for the themes central to my films.” Amol’s latest directorial venture is a Marathi film titled We Are On, Houn Jaau Daya. “The film is in the same gharana of Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee films. No slapstick, no farce, no vulgarity, no item songs. It’s a simple situational comedy, a complete family entertainer,” he says.
Ask him if he is also planning to make a comeback in acting like his contemporaries Farooque Sheikh and Sarika, and Amol says, “How did you not mention Sridevi? She had made her debut with me in Solva Sawan way back in 1979.” He continues, “I am not acting by choice as the scripts offered to me do not challenge me as an actor. I don’t need to accept roles that are negligible nor do I have the monetary compulsion to keep doing uninteresting roles.”
Amol cherishes the experience of working with his leading ladies such as Zarina Wahab, Tina Munim, Smita Patil, Deepti Naval to name a few. “Several pairs on screen these days recreate the kind of on screen chemistry I shared with my co-stars. But to name one is difficult.” He admires how the current generation of actors are extra cautious about the way they look. “Today, every leading man has a beautiful physique. The health consciousness has increased among the youth due to our six-pack heroes. During my time we had only one Dara Singh. Even Amitabh Bachchan had no compulsion to flaunt his topless body nor did Amol Palekar need to join the gym,” he says.
Amol feels cinema has changed as much as the society has. “Technically, we are far better. The understanding of cinema as a medium has changed. The industry has become more disciplined now. The look, the grandeur, the fast cutting style of the edits, stunts, special effects… so many things have changed. Unfortunately, the content of Hindi cinema hasn’t changed. But thankfully, there are a few exceptions every year that offer you out-of-the-box stories that are loved by the masses too,” he says.
As of now, Amol’s plate of work is full with eight feature films, two Hindi serials and a documentary of the legendary singer Kishori Amonkar. “When I am not working, I like to relax, watch some live coverage of any sport.” Ask him about his next Hindi film and he says, “Whenever I have a script that demands a film in Hindi with a star cast, I’ll do it.”