| | shaheen@mid-day.com | Playing The Lead:
Nana Patekar in the Marathi film Pak Pak Pakaak | Nana Patekar has just completed the Marathi film Pak Pak Pakaak.
The concept of the film is by Sai Paranjpe and is directed by her son Gautam Joglekar with Ashish Rego as producer.
The film also stars Narayani Shastri (Taashu of Kkusum, Rhimjhim of Piya Ka Ghar), Saksham Kulkarni and Prachee Shah. Patekar, who will be seen on the screen after a gap, finds this film singularly exciting. We ask him why… The title Pak Pak Pakaak is intriguing…
It is like a takia kalam; kids keep on saying it. We shot for the film on a start-to-finish schedule and it imbibes the true flavours of rural Maharashtra. That's what excited me. The film is about this kid and his doings. You are doing a Marathi film after a long gap?
After ages! It's been 20 years since I acted in a Marathi film. I don't even recall which film I did last. My association with Gautam Joglekar (director) goes a very long way. I've known him as a child. I knew his parents; that's the reason I agreed to do the film and also because of its unique plot of the film. What about the Hindi film front?
I am shooting for Prakash Jha's Apharan. I also feature in Ramesh Sippy's next to be directed by Milan Luthria and Rajkumar Santoshi's next. When I am not shooting in front of the camera, it's the other shooting for me. You seem to be extremely focussed on pursuing shooting as a sport?
I have always loved the game. First I did not have the money to pursue it, then, I did not have the time. Now I have both time and money to do it. I practice for at least four to five times a week. I'm trying my best to improve on my scores. Why have you almost disappeared from the Bollywood scenario?
I can't do the films that are being made today. There is no such thing as a positive or a negative role; it has to be a good role. The kind of scripts that excite me are lacking. That's why I am extremely selective. The role, the story, the film scripts. What about theatre?
It's a long time since I have done theatre. I last did Purush a few years ago. I wanted to stage Hayavadan. Theatre requires a lot of commitment and focus; you can't just do it otherwise. Do you ever seen yourself doing television?
No, never. I am too lazy to commit myself day in and out to a project. What's happening on the personal front?
I spend a greater amount of time at my Pune farmhouse than in Mumbai. I am content living in Pune now and practicing shooting. My son Malhar has now grown up. He is working with ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakar. Does he also want to join filmdom?
I don't know. How can I say? shaheen@mid-day.com | 
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