The clown prince

Actor Vinay Pathak talks to India Today about his upcoming performance in Rajat Kapoors Shakespeare Comedy Theatre Festival.

You play the lead role in Hamlet: the Clown Prince in Rajat Kapoors Shakespeare Comedy Theatre Festival. Are you scared of clowns?

I find them both eerie and fascinating. When I was six, a circus clown stared and laughed at me and then pulled a gag on me. The audience was laughing away. I had nightmares for four months.

Name a Shakespeare character you admire?

My favourites all are ones that I havent played yet. Prospero and Caliban from The Tempest, Iago from Othello and Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet.

A gaffe you got away with because the audience thought it was part of the act?

During C for Clowns, I once got on stage having forgotten to wear the striped underwear. My back was bare, so every time I turned the audience literally saw my brief-clad ass and roared. I thought I was having a great show. Later, in the wings, my co-actor Atul Kumar brought it to my attention.

Do fans of Bheja Fry still come up to you and say Its ringing???

All the time.

What do you say?

Shut this down dude. Theyre like Really. I say, Phone bulvale. Kaan baj rahe hain tere. (Get someone to call your phone. Its your ears that are ringing.)