'Bollywood ready to cast supporting actors in lead

Vinay Pathak had played key roles in small budget films like 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', 'Bheja Fry' and 'Johnny Gaddar' and 'Mithyaa'.

NEW DELHI: With the new-age cinema making its mark at the Box-Office, Bollywood is no longer hesitating to cast supporting actors in lead roles, says actor Vinay Pathak, whose 'Dasvidaniya' is releasing on Friday.

Small budget films like 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', 'Bheja Fry' and 'Johnny Gaddar' and 'Mithyaa' became runway hits. Pathak had played key roles in all these films.

"Filmmakers nowadays are ready to cast any actor in the lead, provided the actor brings in Box Office success," he says when asked about whether Bollywood is maturing enough to cast supporting actors as protagonists.

The multifaceted actor says, "With new scripts being written in Bollywood, film-makers are ready to experiment. Multiplexes have reduced their risk with the increase in business."

Pathak began his career in Indian film industry with films like 'Fire' and 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' but remained unnoticed among the multitude of stars.

But the trinity of Vinay Pathak, Rajat Kapoor and Ranvir Shorey has made a successful mark with offbeat but successful small budget films.

"Stories are no more about a boy falling in love with a girl and a villain. Scripts have become the protagonists now," he says, adding in 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' "every character in the film was equally important".

The actor blames the stereotyping of actors as supporting actors, heroes or villains. But the actor is happy that actors like Naseerudin Shah, Anupam Kher and Boman Irani are breaking the stereotypes.

"Scripts are being written for these actors," he says citing the example of 'A Wednesday' starring Nasiruddin Shah and Anupam Kher.

Vinay, who is more famous for his comic roles in films is trying to break the image by playing serious characters in critically acclaimed films like 'Via Darjeeling' and 'Manorama Six Feet Under'.

The actor is also excited about his upcoming film "Mumbai Chaka Chak' where he is in the negative lead.

Talking about 'Dasvidaniya', which also stars Rajat Kapoor, Ranvir Shorey and Neha Dhupia, he says the film is a simple story. "It's basically about trying to look at our self awareness level."

While making it clear that it is not a comedy, he says the film has its own share of light moments. "It's a different and original film," he adds.

After turning producer four years ago with Lemon Tea Productions, Vinay is all set to work on another film after the release of 'Dasvidaniya'. "I am working on another story now," he says.