Sanjay Suri wants more

Films like Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi…, Bas Ek Pal, Filhaal…, Jhankaar Beats, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, Pinjar, Dhoop, My Brother… Nikhil etc have certainly put him in the spotlight, though they may not have catapulted him to stardom.

But, Sanjay Suri wants to do some good mainstream cinema now. “I really want to do some sensible comedies now. You know what I mean?” he asks and continues, “Films which I can take home. It’s not that the present projects are not something I can brag about, but now, I want to tread different unexplored paths.”

Right now, he is working in a whole load of films — Alibaug, Sorry Bhai, Firaaq, Sudhir Mishra’s Sikander, and a supernatural thriller called Flat alongside Jimmy Sheirgill. But, Sanjay is really excited about Firaaq, Nandita Das’ debut directorial venture.

“This film is about the post-Godhra happenings. It is not dark but is very liberal and modern in thought,” explains Sanjay. It must have been quite an experience shooting for this film? “Yes, it is an intense film. But, I could borrow some experiences from my personal life for the film. I am born and brought up in Kashmir…there were instances when I had to grow a beard to be able to appear for an examination. And it was the reverse in Gujarat. So, I could relate,” sighs Sanjay, as he slouches in his chair.

He looks tired, but still looks handsome in a formal white shirt paired with denims. “I have come here from a 12-hour shooting schedule without going home, and I badly need sleep,” yawns Sanjay. But, however tired or caught up he is, he makes it a point to keep his website updated. “It is a great way to keep in touch. And, since I personally keep myself involved in the updates on the site, there is no misleading or false info about me floating there,” says he matter-of-factly.

We don’t want to tire him out further, so we ask him on to tell us a bit more about his releases before he signs off. “Sikander is about a Kashmiri kid who wants to play football, and Sorry Bhai is a romantic comedy where I play a very ambitious and focussed guy who is into stocks, while Alibaug is about friends coming of age. They all are terrific films,” says an excited Sanjay. Sanjay is also doing Anubhav opposite Gul Panag and Kabhi Up Kabhi Down opposite Perizaad Zorabian. The posters do look a wee bit mainstream — maybe this is the kind of cinema that Sanjay wants to do now.