In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Anil spoke candidly about his experience of working with Nag Ashwin, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone in Kalki 2898 AD, life-changing role in Mirzapur and how he owes his acting journey to his wife Nandi George.
Kalki 2898 AD is going very well at the box office. Tell us how you prepare for your role?
I had a lot of fear about speaking in Telugu, as I don’t know the language. Sometimes I thought they would do it in both Telugu and Hindi, but they shot it entirely in Telugu. I don’t know exactly how I prepared for it, but it just happened. Yes. I was very scared during the preparation, because of the language. But it went very well, the director did it very well.
Your role is that of a very Gyani person. Was it difficult for you to understand the new world of Kalki?
Actually, I was made to understand, they made me understand. And then I understood and played it. And you used a very good word, Gyani. And the character’s name is Bani. There was an assistant there, a boy, Charan. He used to say the same.
And this character really knows the present, past, and future. And he is describing it all, you have seen it. He also makes a lot of predictions about Amitabh Bachchan’s character Ashwatthama and that 150 days pregnant girl, played by Deepika Padukone. All these things are being explained by this character. So this is a very big character and I am very lucky to have played him.
This character also has a very big responsibility to take this story further…
You have said a very good thing. That this is a responsibility and if we look at the meaning of the whole film, that he is narrating. I felt that this is a very solid character, a very strong character, that came on the screen.
How was your experience with Nag Ashwin, particularly on character building, animation-wise?
It was fantastic. I really enjoyed working with him. Because he is so cool and he was working so intelligently. It felt like he was not in this world. He was so focused on his work. I was scared about the language, so I worked a little hard on my character. But that man is completely calm, relaxed. He had no problem with Bani. He was completely confident with me.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Ashwatthama Transformation Unveiled in BTS Pictures
That means his vision was clear…
Absolutely. As you said, we shoot on green and blue screens. We don’t know what is happening. Because later on, the special effects are added. So, that was one thing. And his vision, we were in his mind. We were just working like puppets with him.
So, you became a director’s actor…
Yes. I have always been. But I will say this, his simplicity, his love, his body language was different. He is very different. I enjoyed working with him.
How did you feel working with Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan?
It was very good. I think every actor wants to work with Kamal Hassan and Amitabh Bachchan and such great actors like Prabhas and Deepika. And I consider myself lucky that my wish came true that I shared the screen with them. Though I was not able to share screen with Amit ji, I hope there will be something in Kalki part 2 that will bring us face to face.
Any memorable conversations with Kamal Haasan?
I got a chance to spend a lot of time with Kamal Haasan. When he used to come on the set, everyone would be removed from the set. And we used to sit next to each other. And Nag sir used to talk to him. He used to interact with me sometimes and I used to have a lot of fun listening to him. We didn’t discuss anything about future collaboration because he was very focused on his work. This is what I liked about working in a south film. They work with so much concentration and dedication.
And how do you feel when you work in Hindi cinema?
I like it here too. Some productions are very good. But comparatively, I will say that I liked them a little bit more. People do a very good job here too. And I have done a lot of work here. It has given me immense popularity, especially with Mirzapur. Now, Mirzapur 3 is coming and it is going to be much bigger. I can’t reveal much about my character or what happens next. But there are a lot of great things that you will not miss.
Your character, Lala, became quite popular…
More than the character, the dialogue that ‘bade harami ho beta’ has found a special place in the hearts and minds of the audiences. Sometimes, people just come to me and recognise me through this dialogue. It feels great to have such kind of recognition.
Let me tell you an interesting story. While we were shooting for Kalki, Nag Ashwin approached me and said he had watched Mirzapur. He wanted me to deliver this dialogue from the show. He even asked me to say it in Telugu and tried translating the dialogue for me.
Are you happy with negative roles or do you want to try something else?
Whatever I get, I will do it. I do my work with a lot of respect. And that is a God gift to me. The director and producer are happy with it. And I can do positive things as well. But I am enjoying it. I still have hopes to play a great character. One cannot say that I look like a lawyer in Lala or Lala in lawyer. I can play every character differently. And it has reached the audiences.
You always wanted to be an actor?
I did a lot of theater in my childhood in Delhi. So, it can be assumed that I wanted to be an actor. Actually, I wanted to be a cricketer. I play cricket very well. I used to bowl outswing very well because of my hand movement. But at that time, the resources were less. There were some circumstances. So it couldn’t happen. But I have found my way into acting and it feels like I am in the right place.
How would you like to sum up your journey so far?
I have received a lot of support from my wife. She is an incredible woman, and I say this not just because she is my wife. I have been doing theatre for many years without getting paid. Despite my theatre work not bringing in income at that time, my wife never asked me to do something else. I feel incredibly lucky to have her by my side. My wife, Nandi George, has always supported me, and I owe everything to her. If you are interviewing me today, it is because of her unwavering support. She cares for me like a child, even to this day.
How did you meet her?
I met Nandi through my sister, who was her tutor in Agra. From there, Nandi and I gradually got to know each other. I was quite shy, but she helped me come out of my shell. It’s a long story, but despite many girls being interested in me when I was younger, it was Nandi who stood out.
My son’s name is Neil Anand Joy (Neil George). He studies at St. Stephen’s College and is incredibly intelligent and wise. I often seek his advice. I also have a daughter named Neema. I’ve always encouraged my children to follow their own paths and to become good people above all else. Neil is passionate about cricket, and while he might not be interested in the industry, I believe that nurturing his own interests and values is what matters most.
How do you wish to be known?
It’s simple yet complicated. Some people live as if they will never leave this world, but I know that I am here to understand and learn. This keeps me grounded and prevents my mind from straying. Life is temporary, and it’s important to live well and make the most of our time here.
