Though he finds certain things about life beautiful, internationally acclaimed Indian actor Irrfan Khan also wishes to see his “death with consciousness” as he is “very fascinated” with it.
Khan has mostly played serious and intense roles on-screen, but the 48-year-old, who accompanied his co-star Deepika Padukone and director Shoojit Sircar during a promotional event for Piku on Monday, said he would love to show more of his romantic as well as his comic side in films.
“I’m a shy guy. I’ve a lot of dreams. I’ve lots of issues. I see life as a very transient thing. I’m very fascinated with death. I want to see my death with all my consciousness, which I think is not possible,” said Khan.
“But there are certain things where I find life beautiful. I find this existence as magic like a chamatkar [miracle]. I have a sense of wonder... and I’ve love quotient in me. I would love to show my romantic side on-screen,” he added.
Piku explores the relationship of a father (played by Amitabh Bachchan), who deals with digestive issues, and a daughter (Deepika Padukone). Khan plays a mediator of sorts between the two.
The film, which also stars Moushumi Chatterjee, Raghuvir Yadav and Jishu Sengupta among others, will release in the UAE on Thursday.
Khan says he’s ready for romantic roles, “provided that the script appeals” to him.
“You always don’t want to do hard-hitting films but also want to do romantic films. I also wanted romantic roles as well as comedy, but I was waiting for the right script,” said the actor, known for his roles in films such as Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox, Qissa and Gunday.
“When I got this script [Piku], I agreed [to do it] as it has both elements — romance and comedy. In a way, this film has fulfilled my desire of doing romance as well as comedy on screen,” added the National Film Award winner.
On whether he aims for longevity in Bollywood like his co-star Bachchan, Khan say it’s “hypothetical”.
“I don’t know what I will feel or do after five years. There is no way I can decide about the future. I take life as it comes. I want to enjoy life... whatever I may do, but yes, I want to be engaged to my interests always.”
He is also a popular face internationally thanks to his Hollywood projects The Namesake, A Mighty Heart, Life of Pi and The Amazing Spider-Man. Next up is Inferno, with Tom Hanks.
Often, he is tagged as Bollywood’s export to Hollywood. But he laughs it off.
“I don’t disrespect [the tags], but neither do I take them seriously. These tags are the definitions given by my fans or media, but I go away from such definitions as I feel it limits people. The only achievement for me is when people recognise me and call my name with pride,” he said.
