The street plays he had participated have contributed a lot to his growth
Picture for representational purpose (Photo: DC archives)
Becoming an actor has been Assim Jamal’s dream since childhood. The wish that blossomed in his mind while watching movies in theatres as a kid grew with him. He became an actor first through street plays. Later, when he moved abroad to work in a bank, there was a gap, but cinema remained in his mind. Finally it happened, and Assim says, “If your passion is true, God will make it happen. Every day I dreamt of cinema and one day it came to me.”
Assim’s first movie was Kurukshetra directed by Major Ravi in which he appeared as a Pakistani official. His latest outing is Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi and he will be donning the role of a police officer in the upcoming Anarkali. The street plays he had participated have contributed a lot to his growth.
Walking down the memory lane, he says, “Theatre was a serious affair for us. It was an outlet to express our thoughts and opinions. All our evenings were filled with performances and those days made my stride in the movies much easier.”
After Kurukshetra, Assim got another Pakistani role in Dr Biju’s Veettilekkulla Vazhi and the movie initiated his friendship with Prithviraj. It was one art director who suggested Assim to Dr Biju.
“Dr Biju called me and, briefed me about the role that has just two scenes, but crucial ones in the movie, and he asked me whether I could do this role. I asked him with whom I have combination scenes. He told me Prithvi’s name and I agreed because I like Prithviraj,” recollects Assim.
Though Assim was a little afraid about acting in that movie, things turned out well. Prithviraj had liked his performance and he suggested Assim’s name to Amal Neerad for Anwar. That was a path-breaking character and Assim says, “If I am indebted to anyone in this industry for reaching this far, it is to him. If he hadn’t called me to Anwar, I wouldn’t have been noticed.”
The performance in Anwar fetched him roles in Honeybee and Pakida, which were largely appreciated. Though it was difficult to juggle two professions, he continued acting. He had no holidays, but his love for cinema encouraged him to work harder. Meanwhile, he also dubbed for the character of an Arab in the movie Aami, part of 5 Sundarikal, which he finds as great effort.
But, most characters that came to him were villainous. “It may be because of my looks. But, I am sure that I can do emotional roles and also make audience laugh through comedy. I am waiting for such a character,” he sums up.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
