New Delhi: Actor Yashpal Sharma, who has been part of films like "Lagaan", "Gangaajal" and "Aarakshan", will next be seen playing an item boy in Anurag Kashyap`s upcoming film "Gangs of Wasseypur".
The 45-year-old essays the role of a singer in the movie, who thinks of himself as a Kishore Kumar but in reality is a terrible singer.
Although he has a small part in the film, which recently premiered at the ongoing 65th Cannes International Film Festival, Yashpal said that he is happy to be associated with the movie. "It`s like a guest appearance, I am doing three songs...So it`s more of an item boy role. I am not throughout in the film but I am in bits and parts," Yashpal told PTI.
Recalling how he got the role in "Gangs Of Wasseypur", Yashpal said he asked Anurag to give him any role in the film because he wanted to do good work. "It`s not because of the script I said yes to the film but for Anurag. I trust him blindly and he is a fabulous director. Whatever work he does, he believes in it and does justice to it. We met on a flight when Anurag told me that he was making a film called `Wasseypur`. He showed me the script and songs. I asked him `Is there any role I can play?` He then offered me this role," said Yashpal.
An NSD (National School Of Drama) pass-out, Yashpal has been in the industry for over a decade and has been part of many hits.
Yashpal also said he doesn`t think just because the movie has gone to Cannes, he will start getting good work. "I don`t think that if my film is going to Cannes then I will get better work... I used to think like this when I was new to the industry. When `Lagaan` released I had thought now I would get good opportunities but it doesn`t happen like this," he said.
The actor portrays the role of a strict father in debutante director Gitanjali Sinha`s "Yeh Khula Aasmaan". "I liked the concept Gitanjali has chosen because today a lot of children are suffering from the pressure of competition because of which they have to sacrifice their dreams...
Parents just want to make their kids doctors or engineers they overlook what the child wants. "I feel bad that there are so many youngsters who want to pursue art, theater, music but aren`t allowed because of lack of support from parents," Yashpal said.
He will next be seen playing a cop in Prabhu Deva`s "Rowdy Rathore". Yashpal is also co-producing a film titled "Das Capital", directed by Dayal Nehlani and Rajan Kothari. The film is written by Shaiwal, who wrote Prakash Jha`s National Award-winning films "Damul" and "Mrityudand".