The ultimate Irrfan Khan

Inspired by a true event that took place during the construction of an overhead Metro bridge on the Andheri-Kurla Road in suburban Mumbai, Madaari will hit the screens on July 15.

We speak to Irrfan Khan who will be seen in this social-thriller along with Jimmy Sheirgill and Tushar Dalvi. The versatile award-winning actor is at ease on his visit to Bengaluru as we sit down for a candid conversation. He won many hearts with his roles in Piku and Talvar recently, but this time around, he is doing something completely different with his role as a vigilante.

Recalling some of the experiences during the making of the film, the actor, who is known for his unconventional roles says, “We went to so many cities in India and each of them was so beautiful. Since it’s a serious film, the director Nishikant Kamat kept the atmosphere meditative and quiet. It’s based on a real life incident. But I would like to give the credit to the writer.” Irrfan sports over half-a-dozen looks in the thriller.

The writer of the film is Irrfan’s wife Sutapa Sikdar, who has turned producer with Madaari. The couple met each other while studying at the National School of Drama (NSD).

“My wife is my biggest critique, like all wives are. The film reflects our present system and what a common man goes through. Why an ordinary man does things that are extraordinary. Sutapa, Shailja Kejriwal and I decided that we will work as a team. The challenge was in playing with different looks. Also, the title of the film was difficult to come up with. One night, I came up with about eight titles and one of them was Madaari and everyone liked it,” says Irrfan.

Rajinikant’s Kabali will also be releasing this month and the posters of both the films have an uncanny resemblance. We wonder what the actor feels, and he replies, “When I made the statement about the poster, I didn’t mean anything and it was just a joke when I said ‘Dekho inka bhi poster aisa hai.’ I have huge respect for Rajinikant.” Prod him about the other controversial statement he made recently about Muslims, and he says, “I think it’s better I don’t comment on such issues. Let’s not discuss that matter now.”

Bengaluru, he says, has changed, “I like the weather but the infrastructure is going from bad to worse.” So what is Irrfan doing when he’s not acting? He replies, “Wildlife is my passion and also country living. I also love adventure sports and have tried sky diving, rock climbing and surfing.”

What’s next in the pipeline for the talented actor and he reveals, “Hindi Medium will be next and then after that is Inferno and then Song of the Scorpions, a European and a Hollywood film. I travel out of India for about six months. Sometimes, my family joins me when I’m travelling. Our last trip together was to Singapore.”