I consider my craft as no superior to that of a carpenter’s. It’s an honour for a craftsman like me to inaugurate an exhibition of art.” Padma Bhushan Naseeruddin Shah was speaking at the launch of Swasti-the Creative Care Unit, an exhibition by upcoming artists organised by the HCG Foundation in the HCG hospital premises. The funds raised from the exhibition through a silent auction will support the cancer patients.

Shah chatted with Metrolife laced with his trademark witticism, straight from the heart remarks, his plays and his firm belief that ‘it’s difficult to change the world’. 

You are part of a cause that could bring in relief to the cancer patients. Is this part of your attempt to bring in some difference to the world and do one see streaks of a visionary in you?

Well, I don’t know. I don’t dwell too much on what the posterity will think about me. What we can do is stay within our work and do the best we can. Starting with small things. We can’t change the world. If one jumps the traffic signal if the policeman is not there, then one can’t talk of serving the starving millions of Africa.

Are you disillusioned with Bollywood? Why do you think that those who don’t watch Bollywood films are looked at skeptically?

I don’t watch them either. It’s just that it’s cool to like Bollywood. They are silly and trying to be either art (‘one that doesn’t have songs in them’) or trying to be like the 60s’ Hollywood musicals. The truth is they are not good at either. Even in the 70s, there was lot of rubbish being made called ‘parallel’ films. Even those directors then had succumbed to it. Art films too tend to use big stars, which stems from the deep desire to work with stars. And to reach a larger audience. But there are some who have stuck to their guns like Adoor Gopalakrishnan. He has never compromised. As for actors working for a cause, more often they do nothing more than lip service. Actors are paid for having a jolly good time.

But in an art film like ‘Ponthan Mada’ (Malayalam) you essayed an impressive role?

Frankly tell me, did you like it? I thought it was rubbish. May be language was also a barrier. 

How do you view yourself and why do you not beleive in ‘changing the world’?

I don’t believe in my omnipotence. When my son was born, my uncles said children don’t listen to you, they listen to everybody else. I tell my son not to use bad language, but then when I am on the road and some driver breaks the law, I also does what my son does.

But little drops of water...?

Yes we have to play our parts, but it will take millions of years. To begin with, just don’t toss out the garbage.

Cities are growing while rural areas still look for drinking water and lacks primary health care centres. As a sensitive artist, how do you look at these kind of inequalities?

What I can only say is that education is the bottomline. I am a Muslim and I would like to say to other Muslims is to take a look at these issues and not to focus on irrelevant subjects.

You were planning to do a play on ‘Saint Joan’ by Shaw. What is next?

We had plans to do it but we have not still done it. Soon we will be doing one on Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol.

So it’s adieu to Bollywood?

Maybe, I’ll do one movie a year and quote a heavy price. Usually Bollywood exploits, now I’ll exploit Bollywood.