I am not used to this adulation: Manav Kaul

Manav Kaul, who made everyone sit up and take notice of him in ‘Kai Po Che’ as the cunning mama, has again outdone himself in Citylights, where he plays Vijay sir, a small-town man corrupted by a ruthless city. We speak to the seasoned actor-director-writer about the offers coming his way, lacking recognition and perceived as being choosy.
Why did you take such a big break between Kai Po Che and Citylights? Had I done all the films that were offered to me after Kai Po Che, I would have been asked why I am doing similar roles.So I am happy answering this question than that. Kai Po Che was offered to me out of the blue. After one full year of waiting, Hansal came to me and offered me this script.
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Why the wait? Is it is the result of your being so low-key? Actually, I guess I was not reaching out to people, and that sent out the wrong signal. As a theatre director, I always approached actors I liked, and thought that was going to be the case with me too. So I kept waiting for people to approach me. But I guess that is not the norm in Bollywood. Finally, I have decided not to sit at home and waste my time. Instead, now I have started reaching out to people. I have met lots of people and have asked some like Anurag Kashyap to audition me and see if I could be a part of his projects. Citylights too came my way when I saw Shahid and told Hansal that I would love to be a part of his film, even if it was for one scene.
So are you okay with commercial films too? Nowadays the line between commercial and art house has blurred. Also, Kai Po Che was no art house. I am all for good script. Once I commit to a script, I can dance, jump, sing and so whatever my director asks me to. For example, Nawazzudin Siddiwue, once categorised as an indie film hero, is now doing Salman Khan’s Kick, and Irrfan did a brilliant job in Lunchbox.
Are you a director’s actor? Somewhat. I also give my inputs and give him various options, post which I do what the director asks me to do.
Does it help to work with good actors like Rajkummar? Yes definitely. We have worked together earlier and we trust each other blindly. In Citylights, I didn’t have to do much because I was just reacting to what Rajkummar was doing. We were complementing each other and that is how it should be.
Do you only choose roles that have many layers to it? Having many shades to a character gives me more scope to show my potential as an actor. However, I do not chose roles, scripts chose me.
ALSO READ: Citylights Review
We have only seen you doing serious roles. Are you comfortable doing comedy? I am not a comedian. As an actor I can only react to situations. Like for example, in Citylights, my character also has an angle of humour. People said my entry and the jokes etc made them laugh.
Coming to Citylights, did you feel left out in the publicity campaign, as only Rajkummar and Patralekhaa were highlighted? Not at all. It was a clever marketing strategy as Hansal Mehta and Rajkummar are the National Award winner duo. Also, it was projected as a love story and the audience is lapping it up. And how many people know me? I know I can’t pull audience. So I was the surprise factor in Citylights and people are now coming out of the theatres and asking, ‘Who is this man?’ They are also referring to my Kai Po Che performance, which is good. But the only thing is, I don’t want to repeat this character.
Does it hurt somewhere that people still don’t know you, despite the fact that you are a theatre veteran? Theatre has a niche audience. When I was doing theatre shows abroad, then also I knew that I am catering to a select audience. So I did not have unnatural expectations. And right now, I am living my dream. I am writing plays, directing them, acting — life can’t get better. Also, people — both from the industry and otherwise — are talking about my performance, which is good. I have friends and well-wishers calling me up from all parts of India. I am constantly charging my phone these days…Then there are veteran film critics, who have watched films all their life, calling me to say that they want to see me on screen more often. Hansal’s dad said something sweet. He said ‘I didn’t want you to die. I wished to see you more.’ This is all the more special, because I am not used to this adulation.
If you love acting so much, why don’t we see you act in plays which you direct? I do everything in a play, right from writing, directing, costumes, lights, set design etc, after that I can’t also act in them. Also, acting takes so much from a person! It requires full dedication and concentration.
Any directors you want to work with? There are so many! And many of them are friends. But I do want to work with Anurag Kashyap, Imtiaz Ali, Nitin Kakkar among others. I hope they take note of me sometime and cast me.
Any actor you look up to? Aamir Khan, Rajummar Rao, Irrfan, Nawazzudin Siddique, Ajay Devgn and of course, Daniel Day-Lewis. I have a long way to go.
Don’t you want to play the leading man sometime? If you look at it from my eyes, I was the lead in Citylights. It all depends on how you conceive the character. I became Vishnu for some time. And in my story, I am the lead.I have also just finished shooting for Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata hai, where I play Albert Pinto. But yes, I do want to play the conventional lead character, where I will have responsibility. People these days are writing mature stories, where they need mature performances. I think this is the right time for anyone to be in the industry.
Your character, Vishnu, faced humiliation while on duty. Have you ever felt humiliated in Bollywood? I have felt humiliated a lot of times. When I just came to this industry and did not have money, I used to do small roles as a junior artiste, and it is a tough task. You are humiliated every minute. But it is a part of learning. It teaches you a lot. If you have it in you, people will give you the opportunity. You have to believe that your time will come.
Has your time come? This is my time now. The kind of reaction I am getting is overwhelming. People have started appreciating my work. What else do I need?
WATCH: City Lights (trailer)