Cinema more satisfying than TV: Pankaj Kapoor

Kapoor feels the long hours for TV shows are not satisfying enough.

MUMBAI: Veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor, who was part of trendsetting shows like Karamchand, says that working in films is far more satisfying. He adds that he consciously moved away from television about a decade ago because the medium was changing.

“About eight to nine years back, I decided not to do television actively,” said Kapoor. “I felt the face of television was changing and someone like me would not be able to relate to the kind of work that is done today.” Kapoor also adds that the work hours were long and tiring but only resulted in 20 minutes on screen.

“A movie gives an actor ample time to work on his character,” said the 58-year-old, who has been a part of shows like Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Office Office and Mohandas B.A.L.L.B.

“Work for TV is almost as much as you do for any film,” said Kapoor. He believes that films are made in less time with more researched characters. “It is a satisfying experience because whether the film does well or not, at some point it will be seen by various people in various kinds of mediums,” he said.

Nevertheless, he is still open to small screen projects. Kapoor feels that a project in which the director and actor are given the independence that is required, he will sign for it.

“If worst comes to worst and it becomes a matter of survival, I might have to look into it,” said the actor, whose directorial debut Mausam failed to evoke the expected box-office response.

Versatility is something he would like to maintain throughout his career.

“Even at this stage of my life, I am looking at doing more roles and different parts where I can recreate different people. My goal as an actor is to create different people and to interpret them for my audiences,” he said.

The repertoire of Pankaj, a National School of Drama alumnus, includes successful plays, films and TV shows. He will next be seen in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola set to release by mid January next year. He has kept up his reputation of giving the audience something new every time.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2012.          

Like Life & Style on Facebook and follow at @ETLifeandStyle for the latest in fashion, gossip, entertainment