Irfan Khan
Though for the fast few years, many actors including Naseeruddin Shah have tried to portray the character of Mahatma Gandhi in various films, not many have forgotten the powerful performance of Ben Kingsley as Mahatma in Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi. Likewise, not many have forgotten Roshan Seth’s performance as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the same film.
But probably there was one difference between Ben Kingsley and Roshan Seth. Whereas Ben Kingsley was an outsider, Roshan Seth being an Indian like Nehru himself, got many more chances to play the character. Irrespective of who plays the other characters, Roshan Seth has always been the first and the only choice of most film makers to play Nehru.
But now, Joe Wright, a British film maker who is planning a movie on important historic events in British history during the times when India’s freedom struggle was at its peak, has decided to cast talented actor Irfan Khan in the character of India’s most prominent freedom fighter and India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.
No doubt that he is a talented actor, but Irfan as Nehru? “Why not?”, asks Irfan. “I may not look like the former Prime Minister but I can pull off the role successfully through my acting skills.”
Irfan said, “Though, Ben Kingsley played Gandhi to the utmost perfection, every actor who has taken up the role after him, has brought in something new to the character. Similarly, though Roshan Seth has portrayed Nehru to perfection, I would also add something new to this character.”
Though the film is going on the floor now, this role was offered to Irfan at the recommendation of Danny Boyle, while Irfan was shooting with the director for Slumdog Millionaire.
Image Source: Yahoo Movies
