One thing that strikes you about Farooque Shaikh is that he doesn't take himself too seriously
He keeps cracking jokes at his own expense. Interestingly, the veteran actor who has worked with varied filmmakers recently completed 40 long and eventful years in the industry.
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Who: Farooque Shaikh, Actor
What: Speaking about doing what he loves the best
Pic/ Pradeep Dhivar
Presently, he is thrilled about his upcoming film opposite Sarika. He sounds stoic in his tête-à-tête with CS about career and roles that are written for ‘older people’ in Bollywood.
Regrets can wait
As an actor, one will always have some regrets about the filmshe did and the ones he missed. But in my case, I like to believe that I did whatever I could and to the best of my abilities. Asitis, I never had sky high ambitions in life.u00a0I never thought of myself to be a superstar or something to that effect. I just wanted to act and that’s what I’ve done so far and intend to do in the future as well.u00a0
No direction
A director’s job is the toughest in a team. And I feel direction is better left to those who can and have it in them to do what it takes to carry the burden of a film. I’m certainly not that person as I don’t harbour any dreams of making a film someday. I’d rather stick to what I love doing -- acting. Besides, I don’t have the intelligence nor the patience to helm a project. Even if I think of doing so one day, I still haven’t completed my first innings as an actor yet to start on this. Lets see when that happens (smiles).
Age no bar
Just because I’m a sexagenarian doesn’t mean I’ll have to give up on my dreams of doing good roles. On the contrary, I feel young filmmakers today don’t care much about such regressive ideas. Today, we have films for all generations thanks to wonderful characterisations. Of course, the marketing of films differ on the basis of available funds but to an actor, what matters is a good script.
On stage histrionics
Of course, I am fond of theatre because that is where I come from. If it wasn’t for theatre, I wouldn’t have become an actor in the first place. And thankfully, I’m still active on the stage. In fact, next month, we’ll be having one more show in USA of our long-running play Tumhari Amrita (with Shabana Azmi) by Feroz Abbas Khan.
Fashion statement
The reason why I’m often seen wearing Lucknowi chikan kurta and pyjama is for the simple reason that I can wear them anywhere I want to. Be it someone’s wedding or funeral or even to work, its a suitable outfit for any occasion. u00a0In any case, I’m too lazy to think about what to wear and what not to wear. It’s an attempt to simplify life by focusing on things that require my attention. That’s all.u00a0