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Raza Murad turns romantic hero, was craving to do ‘something different’
New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) His tall frame, unique baritone and casting as a villain in multiple films left Raza Murad caught in the stereotype web that most actors struggle to break. It is after many years in the film industry, that the veteran actor has got a chance to play a romantic, vulnerable and innocent man in “Uncle On The Rocks”.
“A team consisting of youngsters came to me and I was intrigued as to how they thought of casting an actor with such a tough and negative image, in a romantic role. I was admiring their guts and their gambling instincts,” Raza told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
A romantic comedy short film, “Uncle On The Rocks” — created by young talents Prasun Jindal and Vedd V Rawtaani — sees Raza play the character of a 60-year-old man who wants to fall in love once before dying. He bribes his nephew to help him make his profile on Tinder, and from there begins the uncle’s tryst with love.
“I did not do a romantic role in the prime of my youth. Now that I have got to play the role, I have worked hard on it,” said the actor, who has featured in films like “Prem Rog”, “Henna”, “Ram Teri Ganga Maili”, “Khud-Daar”, “Ram Lakhan” and “Padmaavat”.
“I am a trained actor and an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). I was craving to do something different. An actor was not getting enough chances to prove his range… I am glad I got this chance to prove my versatility,” he added.
On a jocular note, Raza said: “My casting in ‘Uncle On The Rocks’ is like Rajpal Yadav being cast as Shahenshah or Akbar.”
Raza said in Bollywood, he is a part of a league which includes the likes of Ranjeet, Prem Chopra and Shakti Kapoor.
“This is a ‘hat ke (unique)’ slot. Somewhere people think ‘ye guzre zamaane ka slot hai (these actors belong to a slot from a bygone era), and they feel ‘hope our film won’t look outdated by casting them’,” he said.
However, he is hopeful the digital medium, which he feels is “here to stay”, will bring a positive change for actors like him.
Apart from intermittent projects like “Uncle On The Rocks”, Raza keeps busy with events, seminars and acting workshops.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.