Commercial cinema never offered me interesting roles: Pavan Malhotra

Mumbai: Actor Pavan Malhotra, who has garnered immense praise for featuring in several award winning, off-beat films, says he has never been offered exciting roles in commercial movies.

The actor has featured in National award-winning film "Bagh Bahadur", "Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro", Anurag Kashyap's "Black Friday" among others and he says he never takes up a role just for the sake of keeping him busy.

"I have never been offered interesting characters in a commercial film. I am offered the role of a father, but I have nothing to do in the film. I am not interested in doing jobs which as an actor I am not enjoying. I can't do it to pass my time and come back with money," Malhotra told PTI.

Malhotra says since he is not a producer or a director, he has to rely on others to approach him with subjects, out of which he chooses the best.

"Sometimes, even if there is a long gap, you have to wait. I am like a hunter, sitting on the 'machan', waiting patiently. But the waiting period shouldn't be so long that the gap makes you restless. As an actor, I want to be part of all kinds of cinema."

The actor is currently seen in "Mubarakan", which also stars Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ratna Pathak Shah among others.

The 59-year-old actor, who featured in the cult comedy series "Nukkad", says he absolutely enjoyed working with director Anees Bazmee and made sure the comedy wasn't caricaturish.

"It wasn't that just because it is a comedy film, we will make it caricaturish or just make faces. Comedy is all about situations."

Malhotra is all praise for Anil and says the actor has been working for so many years because he is still dedicated to his craft.

"Anil is so seriously into it, he has never been casual about work. It is very inspiring, he used to come on time and was so dedicated. That is why he has survived for such a long time and is still a star.

And Anil also inspires him to stay fit.

"I try to stay fit and look after my body. When I look at him, or even Shah Rukh Khan or Bachchan sir, I realise that I am not the only one. This profession demands you to be fit because you never know what role you'll play next."

The actor will be seen in Varun Dhawan's "Judwaa 2" in which he plays a cop.