There was a time when you would have had to struggle to recall films that Ranjeet wasn’t the villain in. However, the veteran actor is now enjoying a new genre — comedy. After a bit role in Housefull 2 (2012), the 73-year-old has started working on Saurabh Varma’s next, that falls in the same genre.
After playing a villain in so many movies, how did you make the transition to comedy?
Today, films don’t have villains, vamps or comedians. The stories have changed, and we have to change with times. I enjoy doing comedy. Even when I did comic plays, people told me that I should have been a comedian. They were surprised in the same way they used to get surprised when I told them I don’t smoke, I don’t eat non-veg food, and I am only a social drinker.
Why don’t we see you in films or on TV more often?
I cut down on work a few years ago as I felt there was too much double meaning dialogue and a lot of vulgarity in films. I didn’t want to do that anymore. The world is changing, and with the corporates in the picture today, relationships have become plastic. I can’t run after roles. People know who Ranjeet is; if they need me, they will come to me.