Riteish Deshmukh talks about politics, life and work

Riteish Deshmukh talks about politics, life and work

Actor Riteish Deshmukh's brother, Amit, has followed Deshmukh Senior, Vilasrao Deshmukh, (former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and currently the Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises) into politics.

Riteish chose a completely differently road, making his debut seven years ago with Tujhe Meri Kasam, carving a niche for himself in comic roles. He is prepping for his second release of the year, Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. For
a change, we refuse to talk shop with the 31 year-old actor and discuss life and politics instead.

"I was born into a political family. As a child, I remember seeing Shri Rajiv Gandhi at home and feeling awed. I also met Rahul and Priyanka and loved the way they conducted themselves.

I have had the honour of meeting heads of states, Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin. I also met Sharad Pawar and Sushilkumar Shinde. In Bollywood, my dad was very close to Mithun Chakraborty -- I have pictures of Mithun at my birthday party when I was six or seven -- and Subhash Ghai."

"When I decided to work in the film industry instead of politics, I'm sure people in the industry must have asked themselves, 'Jaane kahan sa aaya hai?' I expected this. Thankfully, no one posed the question to me directly.
u00a0
But I'm sure it must have been discussed."

Whose Choice Was It Anyway?
"I didn't join politics because it just didn't happen to me. But I don't really find it odd that a politician's son joined films. If I, a politician's son, work in films, I'm asked 'What are you doing here? You should be in
politics'. But if I were to enter politics, I would be asked, 'Why does a politician's son always veer towards politics and not give others a chance?' So, whatever a politician's son does, it is never the right thing."

"I love politics and find it as fascinating as our films -- it involves relationships, betrayals, suspense, drama. However, while a film can be irresponsible, politics cannot. As an individual, you can do as you please; but politics don't give you that leeway."

"Maybe, because my elder brother, Amit, was inclined towards politics, there was less pressure on me to follow suit. If I had joined politics, there would have been comparisons. And comparisons are not healthy in any situation."u00a0

Films Chose Me
"I had immense knowledge of films. I'm a Hindi film buff. In the 1980s and 1990s, I watched every film 15 to 20 times. I was not into English films. I saw my first English film when I was in FYJC!"

"But I never wanted to be an actor; I did a film because I was offered one. I liked the script and decided to give it my best shot. I thought my first film (Tujhe Meri Kasam) would also be my last film. I was ready to say goodbye after my first film released. But it led me to another one, and after seven years I'm still doing films and enjoying myself."

"I was apprehensive about telling my father about my film, since it was a new field that had nothing to do with my education. Also, I would have come across as glamour-struck. My father was the CM at that time. When I finally told him I wanted to act, he told me to follow my heart."

In Retrospect
"My family has never given instructions about what I could and could not do on-screen. They loved me in Rann, Bluff Master, Dhamaal, Malmaal Weekly and Masti. Our conversations at the dinner table are still the same as they were earlier; we discuss cricket, movies and politics."

"In both, politics and acting, the final verdict of accepting or rejecting you lies with the public. I have made my choice and I find immense pleasure in acting."

Rteish quizzed on politics
When was the Constitution of India adopted?
Riteish: 1950
Right answer:u00a0January 26, 1950
Point: 1

What's the monthly salary of a Rajya Sabha member (excluding allowances)?
Riteish: How would I know? Let me guessu00a0... 15,000?
Right answer: 16,000
Points: 0

Who is the Vice President of India?
Riteish: I will let you know before the quiz ends... (after 3 minutes) Ansari, I just remembered the entire Lok Sabha issue.
Right answer:u00a0 M. Hamid Ansari
Point: 1

Which political party does Barack Obama belong to?
Riteish: Republican? No, Democratic! George Bush was Republicanu2026 I don't follow American politics much.
Right answer: The Democratic Party
Point: 1

Which portfolio does Pranab Mukherjee handle?
Riteish: Finance
Right Answer: Finance
Point: 1

Of which state is Nitish Kumar the Chief Minister?
Riteish: Bihar
Right Answer: Bihar
Point: 1

Who is the Governor of Maharashtra?
Riteish: There has been a change this year... Jamir was the Governor last year
Right Answer: K. Shankarnarayan
Point: 0

When did Vilasrao Deshmukh become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra?
Riteish: For the first time, 1999
Right Answer:u00a0 October 18, 1999
Point: 1/2 (lost 1/2 point because he remembered the year, but not the date)

A Lok Sabha member is a Member of the Parliament. True or false?
Riteish: True.
Right Answer: True.
Point: 1

Which Prime Minster succeeded Rajeev Gandhi?
Riteish: VP Singh
Right Answer: VP Singh
Point: 1
Score: 7.5/10

Men are from earth, women are from Venus
In Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, Riteish plays unlucky-in-love Rajesh Parekh. His world is turned upside down when he meets Tara (Jacqueline Fernandes), an alien from Venus, who has landed on Earth in search of true love.