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I
was never hero material but then I was lucky to work with the best
banners and heroines
 “I
have lost count of playing the role of father in various serials
over the years," is how Rakesh Pandey explains his 32 long
years in the celluloid industry. Hailing from Shimla, Rakesh was
inclined right from his childhood to act in films. Way back in 1966,
he joined the Pune Institute where he honed his talent. Having struggled
for almost three years he finally got his first break in Satyen
Bose’s Ansoo Ban Gaye Phool, sharing the screen with the legendary
Ashok Kumar. The veteran’s sudden demise recently shook up
Rakesh Pandey with fond memories. He reminisces, "I have been
associated with Dada Moni in many respects. I acted in my first
film with him. Just a couple of weeks before his demise, I had brought
a walking stick for him from Shimla. He was very fond of walking
sticks. He was more a father figure to me and I learned many things
from him. His humbleness made him one of the greatest human beings
that I have met so far. We spent almost three hours talking about
old times. I shall surely miss his presence."
In 1971, Rakesh
Pandey acted in Basu Chatterjee’s art film Sara Aakash as the
hero opposite Madhu Chandra. Since then, this versatile actor has
never looked back. He has acted in 50 odd films in Hindi and has
been instrumental in giving Bhojpuri films, a strong platform with
his contribution as an actor-director. He has acted in more than
50 Bhojpuri films, the major hit being Nasir Hussain’s Balam
Pardesia. His stint didn’t end there, for he went onto direct
two films in Bhojpuri and act opposite the then new heroines like
Neetu Singh, Mallika Sarabhai, Zarina Wahab and Asha Sachdev, who
went onto make a name for themselves. What about him? He’s
candid to confess, "I was never hero material but then I was
lucky to work with the best banners and heroines. I feel content
when I look back and have no regrets."
Currently,
Rakesh Pandey is busy playing father in various serials like Dollar
Bahu, Manzilein Aur Bhi Hai and Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye. How’s
it playing father in the serials? "Well! I have a daughter
and when these girls play my children in the serials, the vibes
are the same that I share with my daughter because of the age factor.
I am very soft and moderate in real life and the same way I act
on screen too. I am more in favour of daughters because I understand
them better. More realistic and practical. In Dollar Bahu I play
a teacher, so you see I guide my children to a higher platform."
He speaks very high of the cast and technical crew of the unit.
He’s a man who’s loved by one and all for his simplicity
and humbleness.
Rakesh Pandey
has written a script based on late Amrit Lal Nagar’s Manas
Ka Hans. He’s looking for a producer to see his dream come
true. He gets emotional talking about his project. "It’s
about Goswami Tulsidas. A very touching story in a musical form
with a true humane touch. Talks are on and very soon I will be directing
the serial." As a parting shot, Rakesh says, "Today, the
industry has become more money minded. Attitude is changing but
then we all have to move as per the time and changing scenario.
I am happy being myself."
—Johnny
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