Coming up the hard way

Though a star son in his own right, Puru Raj Kumar is slogging it out like any other new comer. And if he accepts a villain's role it is not for lack of choice, he says in a chat with SUBHASH K. JHA.

ONE FRIDAY in April he was seen in two films ``Uljhan'' and ``Khatron Ke Khiladi simultaneously in the theatres. Puru Raj Kumar, the guy who folded his hands, smiled and then raped the female protagonist in ``Hamara Dil Aapke Pas Hai'', is urbane, polite and soft-spoken in real life.

None of his father, the mythic Raj Kumar's legendary eccentricities in the son. Except the booming baritone which can hardly be called an eccentricity.

The only occasion when the affable Puru baulks is when you say, ``I'm `Shattered' after seeing his latest film `Uljhan'.'' There's an uncomfortable laughter on the other side. Ignoring the reference to the ill-conceived desi remake of the Hollywood thriller `Shattered', Puru says, ``But `Uljhan' did well in Hyderabad in the first week. What do you say to that?''

Doesn't a tacky low-budget film like ``Uljhan'' do more disservice than good to Puru's career?

``First of all I don't think ``Uljhan'' is a low-budget film. Pehlaj uncle (that's producer Pehlaj Nihalani to us non-nephews) didn't cut corners in the production. He spent quite a lot,'' Puru jumps to his producer's defence. A note of regret creeps into Puru's voice when he speaks about his voice being dubbed by someone else (Vivek Mushran) in ``Uljhan''. ``But that's because I was playing Vivek Mushran's character with a changed face.''

Before we can actually digest this information Puru moves on. ``Besides, `Uljhan' was part of my backlog of films. You'll be seeing me in some more of those in the near future. Then my fresh lot of films will start. In ``Vadh'' I get to star with Anupama Verma. In Mehul Kumar's ``Kabhi Kabhi Aisa Bhi Hota Hai'', Nana Patekar and Mahima star with me. In ``Sarhad'' I share credits with Rocky (Chandrachur Singh) and Mahima. The conversation inevitably veers to Papa dearest. Was it an advantage or disadvantage to have the mighty Raj Kumar for a father? ``If you mean in terms of a career, I'd say no, definitely not. You see, acting was a career I zeroed in on through the process of elimination. After going through various options I decided this was what I wanted to do. Dad had always kept his children completely away from the film industry. When I told him about my decision to become an actor, he made it clear I was on my own, that unlike other star-fathers he wouldn't launch me personally. On hindsight I respect him for his decision'', Puru trails off thoughtfully as he remembers those dark tragic days after Prakash uncle launched him in ``Bal Bramhachari.''

Yes he had worked with my dad in ``Muqaddar Ka Faisla``. But I don't think my dad influenced Prakash Mehra in any way to sign me. Puru shudders as he remembers the film. No comment on its quality. It's just that dad Raj Kumar passed away when ``Bal Bramhachari'' was released. I was completely numbed with grief. There I was receiving calls from New Zealand from fans saying the film had a roaring opening. But I couldn't react. I had gone completely blank.''

The blank balance has ebbed with time, as it always does. Puru regrets signing the wrong kind of films. But the villainous turn in ``Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai'' and the terrorist's cameo in ``Mission: Kashmir'' have done Puru a wealth of good. Why the out-and-out villain's role in ``Hamara Dil Aapke Pas Hai''?

``People think I did the role for lack of choices. Let them. I know how much of a dilemma I went through before saying `yes' to the film. I finally decided to do what you call an out-and-out villain's role because I feel the line dividing good and evil has blurred beyond belief. No one can define a villain clearly any longer''.

Whatever the definition, Puru isn't thinking of playing one in a hurry. ``If I did one villainous role I have several other films on hand where I'm the conventional leading man. Even my dad never believed in this image business. If I can at least be a non- conformist like him I'd consider it an achievement.''

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