Your relationship with Paresh Rawal has been both long-standing and fruitful. When did your paths first cross?

It's challenging to recall the exact moment when you meet someone who seems like an ordinary person but possesses extraordinary talent. However, I distinctly remember my first encounter with Paresh Rawal. It took place at Salim Khan's residence during the casting for the film 'Naam'. We were in search of an actor for a particularly tough role—the antagonist who obstructs Sanjay Dutt's journey, a character pivotal to Sanjay's rise to fame.

What was your initial impression upon meeting Paresh?

Let me elaborate. Salim Sahib introduced him, saying, “This is Paresh Rawal.” I looked up to see a modest, almost timid young man who stood up respectfully and shook my hand. I learned he had a minor role in 'Arjun', a film featuring Sunny Deol and directed by Rahul Rawail. But what truly attracted me to Paresh was not his credentials.

What was it then?

It was his fervor for theatre that captivated me. Here was a newcomer, eager and trained in the performing arts, ready to infuse authenticity into the character. The role was that of a drug lord, living abroad yet deeply connected to India. Paresh embodied the essence of the land in his very being.

Your collaboration has resulted in several remarkable projects?

His portrayal in 'Naam'—particularly the haunting moment where he cautions Sanjay Dutt’s character about the perilous nature of their business—remains unforgettable. The intensity of that scene still lingers in people's minds. However, it was in 'Tamanna', Pooja Bhatt’s debut National Award-winning film, that Paresh truly captured my heart. He portrayed Tiku, a transgender individual who nurtures a girl child rescued from the streets of Mumbai. When I shared the story with him, he was visibly moved. He promised to invest his heart into the role—and he truly did. I have seldom witnessed such complete dedication to a character. I remember a poignant scene with Nadira ji, who plays a fading actress descending into madness, where he tenderly attempts to feed her. That moment, both gentle and heartbreaking, ranks among the finest performances I have seen in Indian cinema.

In my view, the highlight of your partnership was in 'Sir'?

In 'Sir', prior to 'Tamanna', he portrayed Veljibhai alongside his favorite actor, Naseeruddin Shah. While Naseer delivered a stellar performance, it was Paresh’s nuanced portrayal that left everyone in awe. He played a gangster with a bloody past, yet he was filled with admiration for the teacher who came to educate his daughter. His genuine respect for Naseer was evident. In 'Kubzaa', again as Veljibhai, he created a semi-cult classic, portraying another formidable gangster rooted in Kutch, capturing the essence of the earth on film.

Your final thoughts on one of the greatest actors?

As Paresh celebrates his 70th birthday, I reflect on our journey with immense fondness and appreciation. I remember how he supported a young, aspiring theatre director and producer trying to stage a play in Delhi, never forgetting his roots in NSD and the stage. His legacy continues through his son, Aditya Rawal, whose remarkable performance as a terrorist in Hansal Mehta’s 'Faraaz' reassures me that the lineage is strong—he will not only uphold the legacy but may even surpass it. So here’s to you, Paresh. Seventy years young, still shining brightly. You possess the energy, the essence, and the spirit of the soil in every role you embrace. I have a feeling that your most outstanding performances are yet to come.

Happy Birthday, my friend.