Mukesh Rishi is famous for his villain roles, including Zafar Supari in Garv alongside Salman Khan. He also delivered an intense performance as a Muslim police inspector in Aamir Khan's Sarfarosh. Recently, Mukesh shared insights about these roles on Lehren, explaining how he landed them. In this latest podcast, he talks about his experience working with superstars like Salman and Aamir Khan, and also reveals his plans to join politics in a candid conversation. #mukeshrishi #salmankhan #aamirkhan
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00:00Salman also likes to sit in the evening, we used to chat, so he takes the initiative that everyone should sit.
00:06I was doing the film Bazi with Aamir, when he told me first that this is such a film, I have heard such a story, this is a role, you will do it.
00:15Sarfroshka was also like this, I did not try a single line from my side, because John Matthew was so much of his homework for every character.
00:24So when I used to see him doing it, I used to get a voice from inside, why do I have to change the character, why should I say that I should do this.
00:31So sir, like you became a politician in real life, do you have any intention in real life to come to elections, to become a politician, to work for the country?
00:41No.
00:52And sir, now let's talk, you did the movie Sarfarosh, in which you played Inspector Salim, your performance was very good, very good.
01:01So sir, do you agree that that film was a turning point for you, and in that you worked with Aamir Khan, so how was the journey with him and how was the picture all in all for you?
01:10It was a turning point, because I was doing Bazi with Aamir, when he told me first that this is such a film, I have heard such a story, this is a role, you will do it.
01:22So he pre-booked you there.
01:24No, no, he told me a story.
01:26When I used to get a chance in between, we used to sit, he also likes to talk, it is Aamir's nature.
01:32So he talks, such is the story, I have heard such a story, this is the role, if you do it.
01:37So I felt that a person is thinking of a positive role for me, so I said I don't have any problem, I am happy that you are saying this.
01:52So everyone knew this, Ashutosh Gowarikar sir also knew, so he said he will take the test.
01:58So I said, take it sir, what will I lose in the test?
02:02So everyone was a little, what did he say, I said nothing will go for me.
02:06Because till that time, I had 3-4 films running, I said what will I lose, if I don't do it, this is it, they didn't like it.
02:17I didn't lose because I am still not accepting that I am an actor, I am learning, doing, doing my best in what is happening.
02:23So this approach of mine, I felt was right.
02:26So I gave the test, those who didn't ask, I didn't force, those who said, I said okay.
02:33They didn't bring anything, so I said okay, give me 2-4 days.
02:37So we went, there was a writer, Mr. Patik, we sat with him and did the scene.
02:43While doing it, the cameraman and the director felt that we have got Salim.
02:51So while doing it, I was able to see in their eyes, in their gestures, that the matter is right.
02:57So that's how I got this film.
03:02And sir, your other film was a very famous action film, Garv.
03:07In that, you were the don, Zafar Stupari.
03:10And in that, you gave 60 crore rupees, took all the MLA's and made your CM, Chief Minister Govind Namdev sir.
03:18And in that, your face-off was with Salman Khan sir, the king of the box office.
03:23So tell us about that role, he had such a strong personality.
03:27And then with Salman Khan sir, how was your on-screen face-off?
03:31I think, when he was doing the film, I had already done a face-off with Salman.
03:36So, Salman was at ease with me.
03:42In that too, it was the same. Salman also likes to sit in the evening, we used to chat.
03:48So, he also takes the initiative that everyone should sit.
03:51This happens, every actor has his own approach.
03:54So, we meet in the evening, we sit, we chat.
03:57All this used to happen, it was a little easier.
03:59Otherwise, Salman was at the top, when the film was made.
04:02He is still there.
04:03So, he is still there.
04:05But to work, to do the work that is best for you.
04:11Otherwise, if there is a weakness, the directors are there.
04:15Whether it is a fight master or your director, they guide you, you do it this way or that way.
04:21Punit Iswarji, who is also your friend.
04:23Punit Iswarji is a strict man, he wanted it to be like this in his own way.
04:28In that, we had very little say.
04:31He had prepared it himself, my character and others.
04:36So, in the beginning, I understood.
04:39What is that, everyone understood that we have to do as they say.
04:43So, as soon as I saw him, the way he wanted,
04:48the way Rubab or the way he wanted, I followed him.
04:53So, this is also important for an actor.
04:56Because, what happens is, the director has heard the story so many times,
05:01has discussed it so many times, has written it so many times,
05:05it changes, then it comes in front of you, then it reaches you.
05:08So, many times, like it was the same with Sarfarosh.
05:12I did not try a single line from my side.
05:15Because John Matthews had so much homework for every character.
05:21So, when I used to see him doing it, I used to think,
05:24why do I have to change the character, why should I do this?
05:28When this is so good, even if I do this, the work is done.
05:32So, the things that I learned with everyone in the beginning,
05:36in that, I am confirmed on this point.
05:39That what is visible and what is good,
05:42what is the need to be smart about it?
05:45Actors like me don't need it.
05:47You don't over-improvise.
05:49See, your environment tells you,
05:52whether you should do it or not.
05:55That there is a need.
05:57Because our characters, sometimes,
06:00even Sarfarosh's character was not one that could be experimented a lot.
06:04There was no such scene that,
06:06he is serious here, he goes home, he is laughing, he is playing with his daughter.
06:10It was not like that.
06:11So, one line is straight.
06:14So, we follow that.
06:16So, my personal life experience,
06:19that came in all my work.
06:21I am not an indoor person.
06:23Even today.
06:24I have lived in an open house.
06:27I used to roam outside.
06:29With friends.
06:30Someone's father is in the police.
06:32Someone is in the army.
06:33So, I have seen all this environment.
06:35So, as an actor, when your power increases,
06:39to grab things,
06:41you get overwhelmed with these things.
06:46You know what you are seeing.
06:48When you go to the market,
06:50you may see dresses.
06:52So, I may be an actor,
06:54I may pay attention to a particular person.
06:57How is he behaving?
06:59What is his language?
07:00So, the person next to me,
07:02may be seeing something.
07:03What is the arrangement of food?
07:05How should I wear?
07:07What kind of glasses are good?
07:09So, this becomes everyone's own.
07:11That's how you grab things.
07:13So, you get polished inside.
07:15Then, from time to time,
07:17you become an actor.
07:18Real life roles.
07:19Yes.
07:20So, there was not much variety in such roles.
07:24Yes, we knew the lines.
07:26That he doesn't have a family.
07:28Like, when we talked about the womb,
07:30this man didn't have a family.
07:32He was of the same kind.
07:33He was talking about his own goal.
07:35That I should keep making films.
07:37I will do this, I will do that.
07:39So, there wasn't much variety in that.
07:41But, later on, I got many roles,
07:44in which that thing comes.
07:46That you can say,
07:48Sir, look at this, if you like it.
07:50That comes gradually.
07:52So, that is happening to me too, gradually.
07:55Because, I am working in South India too.
07:57I am doing it everywhere.
07:58There are upcoming films,
08:00in which people may see a different form.
08:03So, it keeps happening.
08:05I am not in a hurry for that.
08:07Sir, there is one more exciting question.
08:09A bit of a trick question.
08:11Sir, you have become a politician, a minister,
08:13in many movies.
08:14And, even if you don't become one,
08:16you are a brother.
08:17So, your government comes.
08:18So, Sir, like in real life,
08:19you have become a politician.
08:21In real life too,
08:22do you have the intention of coming to elections?
08:24To become a politician?
08:25To work for the country?
08:27No.
08:29No.
08:31Is there a reason, Sir?
08:32No, no, there is no reason.
08:33I don't have it.
08:34I do convessing,
08:35for my friends.
08:36I have been there many times.
08:37I go there.
08:38But, I don't have it.
08:39No, no, Sir.
08:40I don't think that I can become a politician.
08:43No.
08:44Sir, it is a very difficult job.
08:46It is a proper job.
08:48One has to respect that.
08:51A politician is not like,
08:53if nothing is happening,
08:54I will do it.
08:55No, Sir.
08:56A politician is a hope.
08:58You become a hope for that poor man.
09:01Just like a politician
09:02becomes a hope for that poor man
09:04when he wears a politician's uniform.
09:07How many hopes do you have?
09:09How many will you fulfill?
09:11What difficulties will you face?
09:12Everything comes.
09:13When this happens inside you,
09:16then you face the same difficulties
09:18that I am facing today as an actor.
09:21I am shooting somewhere.
09:22It is a cold weather.
09:23The temperature is 6 degrees.
09:25And the clothes are not warm.
09:27So, I do it.
09:29So, I face those difficulties.
09:31Because it is inside me.
09:32And I am prepared for it.
09:34I don't care where I go,
09:37how hot it is.
09:38No, I don't care.
09:39Because I enjoy it.
09:40It is my job.
09:41But if I go against it,
09:43then it doesn't work.
09:44Why should I lie to myself?
09:46That I will wake up at 2 am
09:48and someone will come with a problem.
09:49It is not inside me.
09:50So, everything is not mine.
09:52And those who are doing it,
09:54they are specialized in it.
09:57Those feelings are inside them.
09:59So, it is better.
10:00Correct, sir.
10:01Absolutely correct, sir.