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| Mukesh Rishi, the son of the soil, has 100 movies to his credit | | Soft Talk | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Feb 17
Mukesh Rishi, the son of the soil and the famous Bollywood actor, who was in the city of temples recently, has nearly 100 movies to his credit including Hindi, Telugu, Punjabi and Tamil.
Early Times reporter Sandip Bhat had a detailed interaction with him at his Jammu residence. Here are the excerpts.
ET: How you started your career and reached Mayanagri (Mumbai), became the leading actor in Bollywood.
Mukesh: Well, it started way back in 1964, when my father Madan Lal Rishi had a business at Mumbai, before that he was having his business in Jammu. I used to go Mumbai and was familiar of the surroundings there, but was not interested in film industry that time. I was interested in playing cricket and had played lot of cricket at Chandigarh and other places, did my Graduation from Government College, Chandigarh in 1980 and was the vice-captain of the College Cricket team. I did my early schooling from Luthra Academy, Last Morh in Jammu in early 70's.
I went abroad to Fiji Island and New Zealand in 80's in connection with business but in New Zealand, I started working in modeling and from that time, I became more inclined towards acting and modelling, came back to Mumbai in 1988 and completed acting courses with Roshan Taneja and Madhumati.
So this is how, I started my career in acting.
ET: In how many movies you have acted so far and which was the best movie, you liked the most?
Mukesh: Till date, I have worked in 100 movies which included Hindi, Telugu, Punjabi, Tamil, Malayalam and others.
In Hindi cinema, I have played different type of roles in leading movies like Lofar, Baazi, Ramshashtra, Sarfarosh, Suryavanshi, Gardish, Judwa and many others. Gardish and Sarfarosh are the movies, I liked the most.
ET: Why you choose negative roles in films?
Mukesh: Because of my looks and physique, everyone suggested me to play villain as it suited me. One should play that kind of character in films which suits him. But in Sarfarosh, I played a very positive role with Aamir Khan it was a super hit movie. I played with lot of actors like Sunny Deol, Danny, Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amrish Puri and many others.
ET: How you keep an act of balance between your profession and family life?
Mukesh: One has to keep an act of balance between his profession and family. I am not over committed and am giving my full time to the family. They are very supportive and everyday I spare two hours for Gym. Money is not every thing to me. Any time, which I find free, I love to spend it with my family.
ET: Who else is in your family?
Mukesh: I have a son Raghav and daughter Satviki, besides my wife Kishni Rishi.
We have a well knit family and my brother is residing in Jammu and I love to visit my birth place off and on.
ET: At present, are you working in new movies?
Mukesh Yes, I am working in five films in Hindi and four films in Tamil and Malayalam. In fact, I am doing a lot of work in South film industry. Not knowing the languages of the South Indian, still I love to work in these movies.
ET: Any plan of starting acting school in J&K?
Mukesh: I would love to start an acting school, but I will not guarantee the student to lead the road to Bollywood. For this, one has to work hard and should not expect miracles overnight. I had a plan to open, not for minting money, but sincerely to help the locals in their aspirations. Balwant Thakur invited me recently to interact with the artists and students and in future also. Anyone, who wishes to avail my services or any kind of help, I am there to help him
ET: On recent hatred spread by Raj Thackeray's MNS against North Indian's in Maharashtra. Your comments
Mukesh: I would not like to comment on this as this is just a political gimmick. India is one and no one is allowed to divide it in the name of religion, regionalism, casteism and communalism.
‘India has faced several challenges in the past and will remain united for ever’.
ET: Would you like to join politics at any staged of your life?
Mukesh: No, not at all. I will never joint politics. I may help my friends who are in politics, but I am not personally interested in it.
ET: Have you any plan for shooting films in Kashmir?
Mukesh: Yes, I am personally in favour of having shooting of films in Kashmir. As we know, before the turmoil in 1990, every one from Bollywood used to choose Kashmir for shooting purposes. With the change in the situation, I see no problem in having shooting at Kashmir, which is considered to be the ‘Heaven on Earth’.
ET: Are you planning to come on small screen in near future?
Mukesh: If there is anything positive, I would love to offer my services. Nowadays, Television has become more popular and with the coming of private channels, Bollywood stars are doing lot of work in this medium. So, I will also not hesitate in doing so.
ET: If not actor, then what?
Mukesh: I tried everything else and became an actor, so here I am in front of you. I will love to continue work as an actor. We both are made for each other. Though I do not have acting background and there was no one in my family from this line.
ET: Where exactly you hail from Jammu?
Mukesh: We were living in Colonel’s Colony at Rani Bagh. My brother stays at Gandhi Nagar at presently.
ET: Any message, you want to convey?
Mukesh: I will keep on coming to the city of temples as the people of this city gave me enormous love and affection. Balwant Thakur also honoured me at this place. Being the son of the soil, it is my responsibility and duty to help my people.
My message to the people is ‘to be happy and never stop till the goal is achieved’.
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