Latest news with #BasuChatterjee
News18
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Rejected By Top Director, This Dwarf Actor Stole The Show With One Role
Lilliput recalled how an assistant to director Basu Chatterjee dismissed his dreams, citing his physical condition and saying people like him had no place in the film industry Actor MM Farooqui, widely recognised as Lilliput, recently shared his remarkable journey to Bollywood in a candid interview with Red FM podcasts. Despite many aspiring actors dreaming of making a name in the industry, Farooqui's path to success was fraught with challenges, particularly due to his height. Known for his roles in films and TV series such as ' Dekh Bhai Dekh ', ' Vikram Vetal ', ' Gutur Gu ', ' Shararat ', ' Shaurya Aur Suhani ', ' Razia Sultan ', and the popular web series ' Mirzapur ', Lilliput's journey was anything but easy. MM Farooqui, popularly known as Lilliput, got his stage name due to his dwarfism. In a recent interview with Red FM podcasts, he recalled living in his hometown, Gaya (Bihar), when a friend encouraged him to pursue acting in Bombay. Lilliput shared that he had done theatre in Gaya and was often regarded as one of the best in the city. So when his friend said, ' Aap Bombay aayiye. Aap Bombay aayiye to chhaa jaayenge (Come to Bombay, when you come you will be a star)," he began to wonder if he could really make it there. 'I came from a very poor family. We didn't even have money to take a rickshaw into the city. How could I dream of going to Bombay?" Lilliput recalled. But just as the thought crossed his mind, a friend who believed he could be the next Mehmood handed him Rs 150 for the journey to Bombay. 'I never thought about where I would live or what I would eat because I had no financial support from my family," he said. While his condition saddened his family, they never abandoned him. His relatives, too, were concerned, but he never let them see his struggles. Life in Mumbai proved to be harsh. Farooqui often went hungry and spent nights sleeping on the streets. Recalling those difficult days, he shared that he had only one set of clothes and could bathe just once a week. 'I used to go to a public toilet, take a bath, wash my clothes there, and then wear them wet. They would dry on my body under the sun." Lilliput also recalled a painful moment when an assistant to veteran director Basu Chatterjee bluntly told him he wouldn't make it in films. 'He reminded me of my shortcomings and said, 'All this doesn't work in cinema,'" Lilliput said. He believes the remark wasn't meant to hurt, but to convey a harsh truth, that people like him rarely get opportunities in the industry. Lilliput's fortunes changed with his role as Dadda Tyagi in the acclaimed series Mirzapur starring Pankaj Tripathi, Divyandu, Ali Fazal and Shweta Tripathi. His performance in the second and third seasons was highly appreciated, overshadowing even established actors like Vijay Verma and Pankaj Tripathi. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Moushumi Chatterjee was replaced from Gulzar's film because she refused to ‘compromise with my dignity'; recalls slapping actors who misbehaved with her
It's hard to believe you are 77? Kyun? Why is it hard to believe? Age is a fact of life. I've accepted it gracefully. I suggest other actresses also do the same instead of resorting to artificial age-retarding devices like Botox. You look half your age. Thank you! It is the way one thinks and lives. I don't indulge in any vices. I don't bitch about others. I am very happy in my world. I sleep with a clear conscience. I think that is the secret of what you call my ever-young looks. Are you saying you have no worries, no sorrows? Dekhiye dukh toh zindagi ka hissa hota hai. Sabko hota hai. Mujhe bhi hai. (See, sorrow is a part of life. Everyone has it. I do too). The trick is to overcome the adversities of life. I trick the tears with my laughter. Also, you know what they say, laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone. Main bhi roti hoon lekin akele mein (I cry but only when I am alone). How are you celebrating your birthday this year? I am in Kolkata. I have a Bengali film for release. It is called Aarii. It's my first Bengali film since Aparna Sen's Goynar Baksho twelve years ago. If you remember I started my career in acting in Bengali in Balika Badhu when I was just a child. So quite a homecoming? Yes, I am happy with Aarii. I liked my role of a newly widowed woman who bonds with her son. I am the central character. To get a role such as this at my age is not easy . Which are the films you consider to be important to your career? I can't remember them all. There were so many. I must have done hundreds. But yes, Balika Badhu my first film. Then my Hindi debut in Anurag. I played a blind girl. Tumhari Kasam where I again played a blind girl. Basu Chatterjee's Manzil with Amitabh was fun. Many years later I did Piku with him. I enjoyed that also. I also liked Pyasa Saawan, Udhar Ki Zindagi and Aa Ab Laut Chale. You were Gulzar saab's leading lady in Koshish but were replaced overnight. That's because I would never compromise with my dignity, no matter what. All that is in the past. Gulzar and I made up and did Angoor many years later. Coincidentally, Haribhai (Sanjeev Kumar) was my hero in Koshish, and also in Angoor. I lost a lot of roles as I wouldn't pander to anyone's ego. You were known to slap actors who misbehaved? They deserved it, they were sexist but I don't blame them for this. You have to see both sides of the coin. The heroes used to flirt with the heroines, and they expected the heroines to reciprocate. That is the only way they knew. They didn't know any other way. Men are brought up with mothers pampering them, wives pampering them, sisters pampering them . How do you rate yourself as a wife, mother and actress? I have given 25 percent of myself as a wife, 25 percent as a mother, 25 percent as an actress and 25 percent to myself, that belongs to no one else. So that's a hundred percent, right? God's grace is great. I am who I am. My conscience is clear when I sleep.
