NOVEMBER 2, 2009

MEET  YOUR  NEIGHBOUR

SATYA MUDGAL: A NEW FACE OF COMEDY

Comedy is writ large on his face. Even if he says or does nothing, the changing contours on his highly expressive visage will amuse one and make you wonder what’s up his sleeves next.

He is Satyavrat Mudgal, Agra’s own “Raj Pal Yadav+Mehmood and Johnny Walker,”

The long years spent in theatre have helped him perfect his art that borders on hilarity and buffoonery. When he first did a bit role in Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya as a local hangar-on with Abhishek, ten years ago, Satya’s gut feeling was “the journey has begun.” And when Slumdog Millionaire came, he knew there was destiny knocking at his door to get noticed internationally. “Though most parts of the Agra episode of stealing shoes and fooling tourists around the Taj Mahal were cut in the final product as opposition from the local tourism industry and guides forced director Boyle to strike a compromise, those associated with this Oscar winning project got a chance to see my histrionic talent and flair for desi comedy, pure and unadulterated,” Satya said in an interview.

The Agra region has a peculiar Hindi dialect, a queer mix of Urdu and Braj Bhasha with typical accents that sound sweet and vulgar. Satya has mastered this lingo and thus far remains the best exponent of  this cultural strain in Bollywood.

Leaving his pucca job in Army’s 509 base workshop after completing a five year course in architecture, Satya followed where his heart was, the theatre and films after the 1998 Tera Jadoo put him on the filmi track. His father was supportive through out saying architects are forgotten but actors never. Agra’s leading theatre personality Dayal Pyari chiseled and polished his theatrical talent and when “Atma Hatya ki Dukan” was staged, people said Satya has finally arrived. “So many people helped me Jitendra Raghvanshi, Vinay Patsaria, Vishwanidhi, Alok, I am truly indebted to all of them and to my city of monuments. Right now I have more than 15 films.”

Satya said after finishing my architecture course the first thing he did was to get married because “it is difficult for  theatre people  and others in the creative fields to enter wedlock. From 2005 apart from acting in films as a comedian I have taken to story writing and script writing as an assistant of earlier Ikram Akhtar. So I am now financially viable as a product in the industry, not having to struggle like many others.”

Satya has been seen in Kwara, Chal mere Bhai, Bibi no 1, Yeh hai Jalwa, Joru ka Gulam, Nai Padosan. He would soon be seen in Pyasa, Jai Balaji, Shirdi ke Sai Baba, Budha Balam, Nai Lugai, to name a few with distinctive Braj flavour. Manoranjan was his first independent project as a script writer. Then came Rafoo Chakkar, Kash Mere Hote with Johnny Lever. His bit roles in Amir, 1.40 ki last local and Bolo Ram with Om Puri and Nasiruddin to be released on November 18 have been appreciated. While shooting Bolo Ram he fell from 35 feet injured his spine and was in ICU in Mumbai for more than a week. “But that’s an occupational hazard,” Satya says philosophically.

He fondly remembers the four days of shooting at the Taj Mahal with Danny Boyle, director of Slumdog Millionaire. “Those people are so professional, no airs, so much of humility and politeness. No wonder they get the best out of artistes.”

Satya says the comedy scene is changing in films. “Now you need intelligent comedy, the IQ level of the cine goers is going up. Cheap and vulgar type comedy no longer appeals. All the time we are under pressure to re-invent, do something new, although the market for comedy worldwide is expanding.”

Satya resembles Raj Pal Yadav in looks, size and mannerisms. “With him, I will be seen in Kuch khel kuch masti, Lallan Calling, Bhooth Nath, Bolo Ram.” Raj Pal is a good actor, but I am not bad either,” he quickly adds.

Satya makes it a point to return to his roots in Agra every few months. “This is necessary to breathe freely some fresh air and also be acquainted with my roots. The city has given me an identity due to the Taj Mahal and the Pagal Khana. I have to give my best to justify my links with this city of romance,” Satya adds.