Thaindian News

By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Jan 18 (IANS) Irrfan Khan has been offered a major role in Deepa Mehta’s film adaptation of “Midnight’s Children”. But this means the actor won’t be seen playing the lead in the next film by Mira Nair, with whom he did “The Namesake”, as the two would be shot at the same time.

Deepa met Irrfan earlier this month and offered him the role in the movie adapted from Salman Rushdie’s Booker Prize winning book. Ironically, this happened just about the same time that Mira’s offer to Irrfan to play the lead in her prestigious international project “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” fell through.

Apparently Mira had discussed the role of the progressive Pakistan protagonist with Irrfan and had even offered him the script. And even Irrfan too doesn’t deny the fact that Mira had offered him the film.

“While shooting with me she did bring it up. But that’s it. After that there has been no word from her on it. I hold no grudges about it. What Mira has given me in ‘The Namesake’ and ‘Kosher Vegetarian’ is incredible. I enjoyed myself thoroughly doing these two films and I’m sure we’ll work together some other time,” Irrfan said.

As for the Deepa Mehta’s project, Irrfan has apparently given it the green light. Deepa’s “Midnight’s Children” and Mira’s “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”, both based on literary works, will commence shooting at around the same time.

“Deepa has given me the script and I’ll read it as soon as my first schedule for Sudhir Mishra’s ‘Homecoming’ is over,” Irrfan said.

Literary works apart, Irrfan has been into stunts off late - last week he was hanging from a harness from the 18th floor of a building in Delhi in the shivering winter with nothing except track pants and a vest on.

Explaining his precarious mid-air plight, Irrfan said: “It’s the introduction scene in Sudhir’s film. And here I’m half-naked waiting to be pulled up with strings to the 18th floor. Fortunately I’ve the physique for it. I developed the build and stamina to try a stunt like this while I was playing the athlete ‘Paan Singh Tomar’ in my last film.”

As for the casting of “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”, director Mira said: “It’s early days yet. I don’t have an idea yet. I start casting in Pakistan first and then make my way to India.”