Amol Palekar Boy-Next-Door Image: Veteran actor Amol Palekar, known for his iconic boy-next-door roles in 1970s cinema, recently opened up about the nuances of his performances that often went unnoticed. Speaking at the launch of his memoir Viewfinder (in English) and Aiwaz (in Marathi) at Jawahar Bhawan on Wednesday evening, Palekar shared how the film industry’s penchant for branding actors impacted his journey.
The Struggles of Being Branded
Palekar reflected on how being labeled as the quintessential boy-next-door came with its challenges. “In our film industry, it’s a tendency, a rule of sorts, where people are eager to brand you. I was very easily given this brand of being the boy-next-door. I like that tag. I was quite happy with that brand. What I was not happy with, right in the beginning of my stage, was that under this brand, people stopped seeing the variations of the boy-next-door,” he shared. Highlighting his versatility, the actor pointed out the stark differences between two of his most beloved roles—Arun in Chhoti Si Baat and Sanjay in Rajnigandha.
Exploring Contrasts in Iconic Roles
Both films, directed by the late Basu Chatterjee, showcase Palekar’s talent for bringing depth to relatable characters. “The boy I play in Rajnigandha is always late, keeps his girlfriend waiting and only talks about office politics. And the boy-next-door I played in Chhoti Si Baat is a man who follows a girl, likes her but can’t utter a word in front of her. So, one is ‘batooni’ and the other one can’t utter a word,” Palekar explained. Also Read | Malaika Arora Ditches Fancy Vacations For Cozy Train Journey
Despite the differences, a common thread runs through his performances—the emotional struggles of expressing love. “I think in none of my films I have uttered the words, ‘I love you’ or said to a girl ‘How much I love her’. Yet I was trying to explore these variations continuously,” he added.
Taking Risks: From Hero to Antagonist
Palekar’s fear of falling into repetitive roles drove him to take on unconventional projects. After a string of successful silver jubilee hits, he made a bold move by playing an antagonist in Shyam Benegal’s Bhumika (1977). “The industry was quite unhappy, most of them out of genuine concern. They were like, ‘You are a successful hero, why do you want to play a villain?’ But the artist in me was more excited at playing that kind of black character with lots of grey shades than playing just a lovable boy,” Palekar said.
He credited seasoned actors like Shashi Kapoor and Amjad Khan for guiding him during his formative years in the film industry. “Shashi Kapoor always kept on advising me, gave me perspective on how the industry runs and what one needs to do. In fact, so many people, including Amjad Khan, were also fond of me and what I was trying to do differently,” he revealed.
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