That’s Adil Hussain in the picture with me. The acclaimed actor from Assam has built an extraordinary career, moving effortlessly between mainstream Bollywood and independent international cinema. Regrettably, until this week I had seen only ‘English Vinglish’, largely because the film was about Sridevi. That same year, Adil appeared in Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning ‘Life of Pi’, a film the world embraced and I somehow managed to miss.
Yet Adil remembered me. We had met only briefly in 2012, but when I arrived this week for a preview of his latest film, ‘Max, Min & Meowzaki’, he greeted me with the warmth of an old family friend. His humorous eyes lit up, a broad smile flashed across his tanned face, and, careful not to spill the coffee in my hand, he reached out to shake it. I liked him immediately.
Truth be told, I had gone to the screening somewhat reluctantly. The film’s publicist is a friend, and my film critic insisted I would enjoy its slice-of-life story. I had every intention of making a discreet exit during the interval. Instead, I found myself pouring a second cup of coffee. The first half had drawn me in.
‘Max, Min & Meowzaki’ is unapologetically arthouse cinema. It isn’t designed for the Bollywood box office, which is a pity because it deserves an audience. After a successful run at international film festivals, collecting awards and honours along the way, it explores grief, patriarchy, generational trauma and flawed parenting through everyday people caught in extraordinary circumstances. The performances are uniformly excellent — Adil Hussain, Mandira Bedi, Nafisa Ali, Nassar, and even Meowzaki, the cat who lends the film its delightful title.
After the screening, Adil stood surrounded by film critics, patiently answering every question. He never hurried anyone. More importantly, he listened. There was no performance in the conversation, no celebrity in the room demanding attention. Only a thoughtful man giving everyone the courtesy of his time. When he glanced across the room, I caught his eye and nodded my appreciation. He understood instantly and smiled back.
My critic asked if she could take a photograph with him. The first one didn’t come out well. She apologised and asked if they could try again. Adil smiled. “You don’t have to be sorry,” he said. “Let’s take a few more so you get the perfect picture.” Then he walked her towards a window where the light was better. Like a good actor, he knew exactly where the light was. Like a good human being, he wanted someone else to have their perfect moment in it.
Perhaps that’s why Adil Hussain leaves such an impression. He is one of those rare actors whose intelligence precedes him into a room. He carries an unforced gravitas, and a conversation with him seems to reveal as much about life as it does about cinema. Some people are remembered for the characters they play. Others, quietly, for the people they are.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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