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If you act, you mess up the role: Arshad
Arshad Warsi gives some gyaan to Hiren Kotwani on acting as he speaks about his next film Goal.
Circuit’ is full of spark when I meet him at St Andrew’s High School grounds late Saturday afternoon. His enthusiasm stems from all the training he’s been doing with international football choreographer Andy Arsah for the film Goal.
Arsah was roped in by UTV for the film that also stars John Abraham and Bipasha Basu. Director Vivek Agnihotri joins in for a slapstick exchanges.
Warsi takes to skipping and dodging the ball again.
Soon after, he takes a break and settles down for a tête-à-tête. “This is just a warm-up. There’s a format, a pattern,” he says. Warsi is not new to the game. “I’m an amateur. I used to play during my student days. But by the time Andy finishes with me, I’m sure I’ll be a decent player,” he enthuses.
Does he see himself doing stunts seen in football films like Escape To Victory? "It’s going to be tough doing various kicks and jumps, but you can be sure it will be us doing all those stunts. There will be no duplicates. It will be as real as it can get. No wirework either,” he says.
And injuries don’t worry him? “I’m sure I will get injured. As actors we’ll be careful, but we also will play some ‘professional foot ball’,” says Warsi. He says it won’t be difficult for him to juggle between playing the game and essaying the role in Goal.
“I like to get into the character and the part thoroughly.” Elaborating on his statement, he says, “Most of the artists in India act. When you act, you mess up the role. It has to be the real thing. That’s why I like working with foreign talents. They have their own theory of how to portray a character. It only enhances my performed.”
Warsi also stresses on the necessity of a choreographer for the film. “It will help a lot as the film is about an Asian team, that has to win a tournament to save their club. We’re playing professional players in the film.”
“You can fake playing a musical instrument like a guitar. But you can’t fake playing football. The moment you touch the ball, everyone knows whether you can play the game or not, and how well. If you are playing a role of a cricketer, you can’t fake it either as it will show in the way you hold the bat. The same goes for swimming as you’ll drown. I told this to Vivek. And that’s why having Arsah will be of immense help to the film.”
Warsi is getting restless now and asks for the ball. He gets it and he starts dribbling. “I’m going to be fit for the role. We have been told to follow a strict diet and exercise regime.”
But what about all the Christmas goodies he’ll have to miss? He says, “Woh toh chalta rahta hai. But I won’t break the regime,” he promises, as if, almost to himself. With the sun going down, Arsah urges Warsi to practice some more. As I leave, I turn around to see the two dribble the ball as dusk settles in.
