Senior actor Amarkant Dubey talks about career and working with the new-age actors

Tell us something about your background.

I came to Mumbai in 1988. I had an audition in Vividh Bharati radio as an announcer. Luckily, I was selected. I just had one wish that I wanted to live and work in Mumbai. I never thought of becoming an actor, but I was fascinated by acting. As Vividh Bharati was all over India and at that time radio was the only medium, I was getting a little bit of fame as an announcer. Later, I even started writing radio programmes.

How did you get into acting?

Around 1991 when Zee TV was launched, it was a coincidence that I used to be neighbours with

Sanjeev Bhattacharya, who made a college campus serial similar to Chunauti. I had known him and we had worked together before as well. He told me that he was making a serial, so I asked him to give me some role. Later on, he got me to audition and I bagged the role.

What are the prominent projects you’ve done?

I have done Amanat Mama Motilal. I was there for as many as 250 episodes. There too I played a negative character. I also did a lot of episodic serials. People were recognising me in the industry by then and almost every production house knew me.

What is your role in Ziddi Dil Maane Na?

In the serial, there is an academy for commando training and its canteen’s incharge is Baba Dilbagh, which is the role I essay. As he’s old and working for 16 years in the canteen, he has jolly nature and does all the masti. Whenever they want to twist the story, they bring in Baba Dilbagh. He provides comic relief and it’s a very good role.

How much do you relate to your role?

As my character is that of a cook, it’s obvious that he is a foodie and I am a big foodie in real life too. That character is Punjabi, so I didn’t face any problem.

What are you learning as an actor from this role?

I believe every day we learn; so as and when the scene is performed I get into the character’s skin. If the director likes the scene, I feel happy and that becomes my learning.

How is this generation of actors compared to your generation?

In our generation there was no maturity; it was rare. This generation matures faster. They take their own decisions.

Does your age in the way of work?

People say that in my age bracket, there are a lot of artistes who have stopped working so there are not many artistes of this age. But if I get work, I will do it. Now I am free. With my limitations, if someone offers me work, I’ll definitely do it.