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.
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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