Yashpal sheds 'villain' tag

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sheetal

@sheetald

Rocker

Posted: 19 years ago

Yashpal Sharma

Yashpal Sharma, brilliant in Lagaan, Chameli, Gangaajal and the recent Apaharan, is ready to mend his ways in a series of new films. The actor will now play the lead in Shyam Benegal's Chamki.

Underrated actor

"I play the protagonist's husband," he says. "Kamaal ki script hai! Apart from Prakash Jha and a few other directors, I'm not happy with the way Bollywood treats me. I'm neither paid well, nor offered the kind of roles I deserve. In fact, for Prakash's Apaharan, Nana Patekar and I have been nominated in the same category for a popular award. That felt good. But I feel ill treated and underused. Maybe it's time for me to be taken more seriously now."

Yashpal admits he hasn't been chasing roles. "Good roles come my way, but mostly in the offbeat circuit. I have the main villain's role, with Rahul Dev, in Anees Bazmi's Benaam. This is the kind of film and role one gets noticed for."

Child stars

He has played the lead in new Hindi films by Jahnu Barua and Paresh Kamdar.

"In Jahnu Barua's Chasing Butterflies, I play the main lead, a reformed terrorist who has lost a limb. It's the story of my relationship with a child. I keep remembering what happened to Balraj Sahni in Kabulliwallah, and Pran in Nanha Farishta, where they shared screen space with a child actor. I hope something similar happens to me."

But the film Yashpal hopes will do the trick for him, is Paresh Kamdar's
Johnny Johnny Yes Papa.

"I share the main lead with a small child. I can't tell you how beautiful the film is. It'll remind audiences of films like Vittorio de Sica's Bicycle Thief and Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful. I'm hoping to make the switch to more substantial roles and images with this film."

In the film, Yashpal shares the limelight with little Amit Pandit (the precocious Sardar child in Koi Mil Gaya). "It's the kind of film that will make or break me," feels Yashpal. "I'm very proud to be associated with it. I'm sick of playing the villain, but I can only do what I'm offered."

In Sushen Bhatnagar's Trisha, Yashpal plays the lead opposite Divya Dutta.

Yashpal Sharma's long journey

Yashpal Sharma is a well known actor today. A graduate in history and economics, he did his Masters in Indian Theatre from Chandigarh followed by a three year specialization course in acting from NSD.

He has played key roles in movies like Lagaan, Gangaa Jal, Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, Yahaan, Kisna and Apaharan recently. besides others.

He is working with highly respected directors and some of his forthcoming projects include Banaras by Ajay Mehra, Dharkan by Imran Khalid, Benaam by Anis Bazmi, Trish by Anant Kamath, Chasing Butterfly by Thanu Bhurua, Joney Joney Yes Papa by Paresh Kamdhar and Unnamed by Satish Kaushik.

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Yashpal sheds 'villain' tag

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