From tinsel dreams to discovery of India

When his dreams of becoming a Hindi film actor were shattered, he found solace on the small screen. After a few TV programmes, Suresh Menon, known for his sense of humour, is now also into scripting and spends more time and effort on Meri Jaan Hindustan, a travelogue, which he enjoys doing

“I love Meri Jaan Hindustan mainly because I get to travel a lot and also to get to know the people of my country. Having seen so many beautiful, breathtaking and exotic locations in India itself, I wonder why our filmmakers travel abroad for locations. We have so much to explore here. Another reason I like MJH is because I get to wear a lot of get-ups. Moreover, it has given me immense recognition. The programme has been a sort of discovery of my own country for me. I would love to do this kind of series all my life," says Suresh Menon who gave up his cushy job at the response department of one of the leading newspapers in Mumbai.

"I thought I stood a good chance to be the hero in South Indian films but I struggled for Hindi films as well. I began taking lessons in everything that an actor has to learn. But six months down the line, I felt that I was cut out for something different. I also realised that the hero needed to have a good accent, knowledge of pure Hindi/Urdu and that it was not my cup of tea," he quips.
Suresh remembers that it was Adi Pocha who gave him a break in Main Bhi Detective, "a whacky game show for UTV which came much before its time." This was followed by Shanti and Sorry Meri Lorry as well as some advertisements.

Soon film offers started pouring in and he did bit roles, that of the hero’s friend, in Dil To Pagal Hai and Priyadarshan’s Doli Sajake Rakhna and Kabhi Na Kabhi. But after that "Priyan ne phir mujhe darshan nahi diya", he laughs imitating the director very well.

Dejected, he switched back to television. And got noticed in Ikke Pe Ikka. "It was Sajid Khan’s idea that I play a South Indian with a heavy accent. I am grateful to him. Of course, initially I was very wary of playing a comedian. But I began to enjoy my work once I started doing it," he states adding that he got a load of roles after that and one of them was Jaane Bhi Do Paro. "Though there were times when I felt that it didn’t make any sense but I loved to imitate people and make them laugh. So now if there is a role of a South Indian, please think of me, be it David Dhawan or Steven Speilberg," winks Suresh.

Joining ETC as a veejay, Suresh did two shows MJH and Pandey Pillai which was also his concept. That is when he alongwith writer Suhas Shetty and director Karl Katgara decided to form a company. "Today our company Scripties is involved in a lot of scripting work and we are also working on ads. Archana Talkies is written by us. As for future projects, we would be writing for RT Produc-tions as well as Farha’s independent serial. It only shows that they have faith in us. Scripties is also working on a film script. Star Plus and ETC have been very supportive and encouraging," he says.

Talking about his serials, Suresh says he plays a gay in Cincinnati Bublaboo. Sajid No 1 is totally whacky and has been appreciated by a segment of society. "I loved it because I got to portray various characters." Sorry Meri Lorry was full of jokes and it was an experiment of sorts. In Pandey Pillai, he plays an hardcore Pillai while in Shanti, "for 40 episodes, I played a mad man in a pagalkhana and that was tough. The maddest thing I ever did was Filmi Funda for MTV," says the comedian.

For a person who waited eagerly for the Ganesh festival celebrated in his colony every year, Suresh says he learnt a lot from the skits he performed during the two festival days. "That gave me a lot of boost. I used to really wait for those two days.” He says that his parents are ‘slightly’ proud of him today when people praise their son. "Actually at home, it is Malayalam shows that take priority. MJH is the only Hindi serial they watch only for its locations. I think even if I win an Oscar tomorrow, their reaction would be a dull "TVel kando" (Saw you on TV)," he winks.

Talking about bad experiences, he says, "It was on the sets of Doli Sajake Rakhna when I was told that I was not a good actor. Insecurities crept in and that was scary. But thanks to all these channels, actors like me have got a chance to sustain. May all the satellite channels live long," he laughs.

Namita Nivas

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