PAst Forward

Let’s make one thing clear,Aftab Shivdasani has not been around in Bollywood for the past 20 years. His first film (as a child actor) may date back to 1987 (Mr India),he may also have been part of other 1980s blockbusters like Chaalbaaz,but the actor clearly remembers very little from his childhood stint with Bollywood. “If you say I’ve been around for the past 20 years,it makes me sound really old. I would say I have been around only for the past ten years as I debuted with Mast which released in 1999. Come on,I was just a child then,” says Shivdasani who was in the city this Wednesday to promote his latest film,Acid Factory.

True,but today,Aftab Shivdasani is more than just a kid. He is a man with a chequered career behind him,and a “world of opportunities” ahead of him. “I’m glad that I have not been stereotyped as an action hero or a romantic hero. Today,I’m open to anything exciting,” he says. Which is why,Acid Factory is “a wonderful challenge” for him. “It’s unlike anything I have ever done before. Suparn Varma (the director) has really pushed the limits in this one,” says Shivdasani.

His dapper suit,trimmed beard,genial demeanour (Namasteji,have you had something? Please don’t leave without having some food) and camera-friendly smile scream PR king but Shivdasani claims to be a “fiercely” private person. “I am not comfortable taking with the camera around. I don’t like discussing my private life. I keep myself fit because we have to move with the times and be perpetually presentable,” says Shivdasani.

When we try to referesh his memory about his child-actor days again,Shivdasani relents. “We were so innocent. All we cared about was having fun on the sets. Child actors today are so professional,they can give any of us a career advice or two,” he smiles.