I still have to get my due in Bollywood: Satish Kaushik

New Delhi: Satish Kaushik may have earned rave reviews in international cinema circuits for his role of a "wanderer" in Dev Benegal`s `Road, Movie` but the artiste rues that Bollywood continues to slot him as a "funnyman."Indian films have a set pattern and you get slotted in an image very easily. I was good in comedy so I started getting such roles but as an actor you don`t like to do same type of roles," Kaushik told reporters.

"Western filmmakers have no such issue. They do not stereotype you. You are recognised for your work there," says Kaushik, who has acted in more than 60 Bollywood movies. The actor`s first major international role was in Sarah Gavron`s English film `Brick Lane` in 2007 and Kaushik, who usually plays comic sidekicks in mainstream Hindi films, had surprised everyone with the role of Chanu Ahmed, the middle-aged husband of a younger Bangladeshi girl in the film. After `Brick Lane`, Kaushik is back in the international arena with `Road, Movie`, where he stars alongside `Dev D` star Abhay Deol and Tannistha Chatterjee. "It is a fun movie. I play the character of a know-all wanderer. He knows about life and can fix things easily. It is a multi-faceted role. I am happy that Dev gave me a role which does justice to the actor in me," says Kaushik about his role in the Indo-US co-production. "It is one of the best times for Indian actors to make their mark in international cinema. Anil Kapoor is doing a major role in `24`. I am looking forward to adding good films to my portfolio," says the actor. `Road, Movie`, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last month, tells the story of a young man who travels with a truck and old cinema, which he has to deliver at an unknown destination. During his journey he meets a tribal woman and a motor mechanic. "The critics gave very good reviews to the movie and it makes you happy to hear good things about a role for which you have given your heart and soul," says Kaushik adding that their next stop will be Tokyo Film Festival, where the film has been selected in the competition category. Interestingly, Benegal, who is the nephew to veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, had promised Kaushik a role 25 years ago when they worked together for `Mandi` in 1983. "Dev had promised that he will work with me when he begins directing and I am grateful to him that he remembered his promise 25 years later. He is a great director and does not hesitate in improvising a scene. "We shot the movie in 50 degree temperature in Rajasthan and I had to wear a cap, shirt and overcoat. We really slogged it out but nobody complained because deep down we knew that we were working on something great," he says. Bureau Report