Film Industry: THE 60-PLUS ACTOR CLUB IS ON A ROLL

THE 60-PLUS ACTOR CLUB IS ON A ROLL

    Saif Ali Khan recently said that his career, as a Bollywood actor, is the best investment he has made. Truer words have never been spoken. Hindi film stars are currently raking in big bucks. While actors in the age bracket of 30 to 50 are called leading men and take home hefty pay packets (most of them are in the 100 crplus club), what is truly interesting is that even the 60-plus actors have never had it so good.
    Take Amitabh Bachchan for instance. Even today, Big B has producers lining up outside his door. Spoilt for choice, the Indian cinema icon, at the age of 70, can afford to pick and choose. Everyone from R Balki to Sujoy Ghosh is working on scripts for him. Filmmakers like Prakash Jha see him lending stature and support to a film like Satyagraha. The Big B is privileged enough to even have a Sudhir Mishra envision him as the leading man in Mehrunnisa.
    Ditto Rishi Kapoor. At 60, Rishi is the second-most in-demand actor in this slot. With two films on the floor, and three projects ready to roll between March and May 2013, Rishi has a chock-ablock date diary. Not to forget he is charging a handsome fee. Rishi says, “With God’s grace, I’m in an enriching phase in my career. Roles are being specially written for me. It is truly a happy and rewarding phase.”
    Same is the case with Mithun Chakraborty. The actor, who won appreciation for his performance in super-successful films like OMG Oh My God! and Housefull 2, is also inundated with film offers. Others actors in this category who are finding work and appreciation are Vinod Khanna (Dabangg 1 and 2), Randhir Kapoor (Housefull 2) and Raj Babbar (Bodyguard).
    Trade consultant Amod Mehra says, “Talent doesn’t age. Therefore, it is not surprising that these senior actors, who are good at what they do, are being rewarded.”
    Mehra also points out that in the 80s and 90s, the 60-plus Amrish Puri dominated, because he was perfect for the role of a stylised villain (Mr India, 1987) or the strict parent (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, 1995). With Mogambo’s (the character he played in Mr India) death, there was a brief void. However, now, senior actors are back in demand.