Scenes from patriotic films usually start doing the rounds of social media every Republic Day and Independence Day. Along with Akshay Kumar’s monologue from Namastey London (2007), one scene from Neeraj Pandey’s Baby (2015) is widely shared on these days.
The scene in question shows Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer Ajay Singh Rajput (Akshay Kumar) confronting the terrorist Taufiq (Jameel Khan) at the latter’s residence.
During the encounter, Taufiq narrates an anecdote and says, “Religion wala jo column hota hai na, usmein hum bold aur capital mein Musalman likhte hain [While filling a form, we write ‘Muslim’ in bold and capital letters in the religion column].”
To this, Rajput narrates his own anecdote and retorts, “Religion wala jo column hota hai, usme hum bold aur capital mein Indian likhte hain [We write Indian in bold and capital letters in the religion column].”
The dialogue was met with applause in cinema halls. Commenting on the audience's reaction to the scene, Khan, who got noticed in the film despite having just one scene, said, “It feels good because that scene is very good. People have loved and appreciated that scene. Not only is its content good, but it has also been performed and directed well. Such scenes become viral because they touch the audience’s hearts and they like what is being said in them.”
He also revealed that he had refused to do the film earlier because of his role’s length [or the lack of it]. “I wasn’t willing to do it as it’s a small role," he said. "But I am glad I did it! People persuaded me and I am glad and feel honoured. I enjoyed performing that scene.”
Khan hailed Pandey as an incredible director. "He is a rare combination of a good director and a good human being," the actor said. "He knows what to do and has a lot of clarity. You won’t hear any screaming on the sets. You will always see him smiling.”
The actor was also impressed with Pandey’s personal conduct. “He is so grounded," he said. "Even after attaining such success, he gives the same amount of respect to a spot boy as he gives me, you, Akshay Kumar or Shah Rukh Khan. Very few people have such qualities.”
Khan started his acting journey with a supporting role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). He then went on to act in prominent films like Cheeni Kum (2007), Rock On!! (2008), Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012), Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-leela (2013) and Das-Capital: Gulamon Ki Rajdhani (2020). His web-series Gullak (Season 2) was released this month to a thunderous response.
The actor trained under veteran Naseeruddin Shah in theatre and considers this the turning point of his career. “I am not a trained actor. I haven’t been to the NSD [National School of Drama], FTII [Film and Television Institute of India] or anywhere. Whatever I learnt was by being with Naseerbhai. I call him my guru, but if you ask him he will not agree, saying he is not anyone's guru,” said Khan.
“He never made me feel as if he was teaching me and I was his protégé," he continued. "I just learnt while working, by observing and listening to him and coming to my own conclusions.”