I am in every frame of 'Mukhbiir': Sammir

Mumbai, July 17 (IANS) Actor Sammir Dattani, who was disappointed over his shortened role in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Corporate", is upbeat about his next release "Mukhbiir", in which he says he is in "almost every frame".

"My next release 'Mukhbiir' has me in an author-backed role. I am in almost every frame. It is a small role but a great film," the actor said.

"I was disappointed with what remains of my role in 'Corporate'. But since it was for the betterment of the product, I don't mind," Sammir told IANS in an interview.

"The film 'Mukhbiir' probably wouldn't have happened if it was not for all my past work. I have enjoyed being part of these big films and have no regrets at all. Every film plays a significant role in one's career," he added.

Excerpts from his interview:

You had two releases recently'

Yeah, it's very exciting. "Corporate" for the Hindi audiences and my first Telugu film "Amrutha Varsham" released on the same day in Andhra Pradesh. I think I am blessed.

How many actors must have had such an opportunity of two releases on the same day' I guess that's the advantage of working in different languages.

Your role in "Corporate" is small. Has it been chopped'

Yes, it is a small role but a great film. I must say I was disappointed with what remains of my role. But since it was for the betterment of the product, I don't mind. The film is always more important than any one character. I did the guest role because I wanted to be part of an exciting film, and so what if it has an ensemble cast! It is a new experience.

Also, working with Bhandarkar was a great opportunity. After my first film not doing well at the box office, I was waiting patiently to work with filmmakers whom I admire. My next release "Mukhbiir" has me in an author-backed role. I am in almost every frame.

Belonging to a business world, was it easier to play a corporate guy' How much did you contribute to the look of your character'

I connected a lot with Anmol's character because of my business background. Also, a lot of my friends are currently working in the corporate world and their life bears a resemblance to my character. So that helped me a lot.

The look of the film is very exciting and I love dressing formally. I made one major contribution to my character, and that was my unshaven look. Madhur was a little sceptical about it initially. But I convinced him that it is totally accepted in offices the world over and will also look nice.

It is being said that you did not promote "Corporate" as strongly as "Mukhbiir" because you had a guest role in the former.

That's not true at all. All my films are very important to me irrespective of the length of the role.

Now that your career is taking off, is it difficult coming to terms with the smaller parts in "Pyaar Mein Twist" and "Corporate"'

"Mukhbiir" has definitely given my career a big boost and it is a film that I am very excited about. But films like "Pyaar Mein Twist" and "Corporate" have helped me get where I am.

"Mukhbiir" probably wouldn't have happened if it was not for all my past work. I have enjoyed being a part of these big films and have no regrets at all. Every film plays a significant role in one's career.

Are you facing problems in Mumbai because of your career in the south'

Sometimes it is...when people deliberately declare me absent from Mumbai. Otherwise I see it as an advantage because I can wait patiently for that one exciting offer in every language without actually being out of work. Hence, in the past five years, I have done just four films down south.

I am also hoping my Hindi films will fare much better in the south. May be my audience, which rarely watches a Hindi film, will cross over. If that happens, it will be amazing because my producers can actually count on that market for returns, which is generally very small for Hindi films.

Do you sometimes wish you were a star-kid'

No, not at all. I have made satisfying headway. The industry is fair to everyone. I am very happy with the way I have been accepted here. My experience so far has been very pleasant. I have at every step been lucky to have helping hands from within the industry in spite of being an outsider. Just goes to show how warm people here are.

Besides, I think a star-son like Abhishek Bachchan would have been a superstar regardless of who his father is.

Future projects...'

I have two films with White Feature Films (Sanjay Gupta) and I am also doing a film with Murali Manohar (of "Provoked") besides others, which I am too superstitious to talk about until it actually happens.

You are being constantly linked to your co-stars.

I know... it was very annoying initially but now I don't pay much attention to such talk. I am basically a friendly guy and hence get along well with everyone I work with. People may have their own interpretation of that rapport. As long as my friends and co-stars don't misunderstand it and don't believe what comes out in the papers, I guess I will just live with it.

Even my parents, who are quite conservative, initially used to react strongly against such things but now have become comfortable with the idea that such things happen and cannot be taken seriously.

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