A good film and al successful film

It's a rumour that Akshaye refused Nagesh Kukunoor's film. I hope it's not true but it touched a raw nerve with me.

Akshaye once said that he'd be rather in a successful film than a good film. He also once said that he doesn't like doing art movies because people will think that he's doing them because he's a commerical failure (this was after Taal and before DCH).

That's not a good philosophy at all. I know that he was disappointed by the response he got from Gandhi--My Father; he didn't get any award nominations nor any box-office success. He worked hard for over a year for the movie and he got peanuts in return. That doesn't mean he should quit looking for decent movies with nice roles written for him.

He has had his share of bo-office successes. At this stage in his career, unless a miracle happens, he won't become an overnight Hrithik Roshan. He deserves that stardom but it's not gonna happen if he has such a chilled out attitude towards movie-making that he won't take the trouble of getting a decent wardrobe or improving his physique and dance skills or increase his networking and start canvassing for roles. But, that doesn't mean he should compromise on quality filmmaking, which is more important for leaving a lasting legacy. 10 years from now, not many people will be watching Naqaab, Shaadi Se Pehle and Aap ki Khatir. I bet more people will be watching Gandhi--My Father.

He does very few movies as it is. Most of the year, he doesn't work at all. I don't understand why he won't accommodate off-beat movies if they come his way. I know that a lot of off-beat directors want to work him but are terrified of his reputation. He has never encouraged art directors.

We bemoan the fact that all he gets to do are crap movies which don't do justice to his talent at all and then he keeps refusing movies like Deepa Mehta's Earth and filmmakers like Kukunoor which do come his way. I hope he realises at this stage in his career, his fans majorly are from niche, class audiences who would rather watch him in quality stuff than see him doing Govinda reprises. I also hope he realises that vanishing for over an year in between films and making his fans wait for such long periods only to comeback with sub-standard comedies is not gonna do the trick either.

I don't mind him doing silly comedies. I just want him to do some good movies to balance that. I get angry at filmmakers who ignore such a talented actor but I also get irritated when he himself shoots down promising projects. I am a fan but not an uncritical fan and I get angry when I see his potential is not used, and yes, Akshaye is also responsible for that.

I hope he realises there's no unfathomable gulf between doing successful films and good films.