Rajasthani filmmakers busy copying Bollywood: Surendra Pal

It wasn’t an easy task for Rajasthani filmmaker Rajendra Gupta to convince actor Surendra Pal, famous for his role as Dronacharya in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, to act in his film Nanibai Ro Mayro.
Considering that the Rajasthani film industry is currently fighting for survival in the state, Pal was reluctant to say yes to a Rajasthani movie. He, however, changed his mind after reading the script.“It’s not that I didn’t want to do a Rajasthani film. I love Rajasthan, its culture, music and language. My forefathers are from Rajasthan. But the industry is in a very poor condition these days. Thus I wasn’t too keen on doing this film. But the moment I heard the script, I said yes,” says Pal in a chat with us.
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RAJASTHANI Filmmakers lack originality
The actor who has essayed several roles on TV and films feels that the filmmakers here lack originality. “Rajasthani filmmakers are busy copying Bollywood films. Instead, they should showcase the culture and heritage of Rajasthan in their own way. There is a lack of originality and freshness in the ideas of filmmakers, which is one of the reasons a Rajasthani film doesn’t get decent crowd in theatres. My main reason of doing Nanibai Ro Mayro is that it has a new story,” says Pal.
The actor also attributed the lack of government support as the reason the industry is lagging behind. “Even though the state government has doubled the amount of subsidy from `5 lakh to `10 lakh for Rajasthani films, it’s not enough. Aaj kal `10 lakh mein kya hota hai?” he asks.
RAJASTHAN PROVED LUCKY FOR ME
Pal shot for a film titled Ghulami way back in 1985 in Bikaner. “The film was directed by JP Dutta and I played the role of a dacoit in it. We shot a few scenes in Bikaner. That was the first time I shot in Rajasthan and the film went on to become a hit. Rajasthan proved lucky for me,” he says. Pal says he is a big fan of Rajasthan’s staple dal-baati churma. “I make sure I have dal-baati churma whenever I come to Rajasthan. It’s my favourite,” he says.
Playing the villain, Tamraj Kilvish, in Shaktimaan made me famous among kids
Even though Pal has done various films, his first love remains TV. “It is because of TV that I got recognition. People still remember me for my role in Mahabharat. Shaktimaan’s Tamraj Kilvish made me famous among kids. So I love to be called as a TV actor,” he says. “Even though so many private channels have come up, I still love Doordarshan. Main aaj bhi Doordarshan pe shows karta hoon. And I charge a very nominal fee to do a show on Doordarshan. I owe a lot to DD,” Pal adds.
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