Salim Ghouse (1952-2022): 'His soliloquy as Lord Krishna remains with me'

Bharat Ek Khoj

My first meeting with Salim dates back to when he was a student at the Film and Television Institute of India [FTII]. He was Naseeruddin Shah's contemporary. I did some work with Salim, including Manthan [1976], when he was a student. Girish Karnad, who was the FTII director at the time, had told me that I should try working with these wonderful actors.

After he passed out of the FTII, we all saw the wonderful actor that Salim had grown into. He was a disciplined actor who would come thoroughly prepared on sets. In Sardari Begum [1996], he played a Bengali character called Mr Sen. He would do background research and homework before shooting for every role. He did not require many rehearsals, and would go straight in for a dead letter-perfect take. He was part of many episodes of Bharat Ek Khoj. His flawless soliloquy as Lord Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita remains with me to this day. It was a fine performance, and he gave a several-minute-long speech in a single take.

After Well Done Abba [2010], I didn't get an opportunity to work with him. I lost touch with him in recent years because he was busy working in the south film industry. He was like sugar in milk - he would effortlessly blend into every role.

Ghouse's best work

Subah (1987): Bharat Rangachary's television show, which was based on Sivasankari's novel, tackled drug addiction and peer pressure through its two central characters. Ghouse played drug addict Bharat.

Bharat Ek Khoj (1988): The show was the second venture in a long collaboration between Ghouse and Benegal. The actor went on to star in Trikal, Sardari Begum, Samvidhaan and Well Done Abba.

Vettri Vizhaa (1989): Ghouse, who juggled Hindi and south films, made his Tamil debut as the terrifying villain Zinda in this Kamal Haasan hit.

Thiruda Thiruda (1993): Ghouse played a gangster in Mani Ratnam's black comedy that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.