Benegal, who worked with the noted actor in Bharat Ek Khoj and Well Done Abba, remembers his disciplinary approach towards his craft
Bharat Ek Khoj
My first meeting with Salim dates back to when he was a student at the Film and Television Institute of India [FTII]. He was Naseeruddin Shah’s contemporary. I did some work with Salim, including Manthan [1976], when he was a student. Girish Karnad, who was the FTII director at the time, had told me that I should try working with these wonderful actors.
After he passed out of the FTII, we all saw the wonderful actor that Salim had grown into. He was a disciplined actor who would come thoroughly prepared on sets. In Sardari Begum [1996], he played a Bengali character called Mr Sen. He would do background research and homework before shooting for every role. He did not require many rehearsals, and would go straight in for a dead letter-perfect take. He was part of many episodes of Bharat Ek Khoj. His flawless soliloquy as Lord Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita remains with me to this day. It was a fine performance, and he gave a several-minute-long speech in a single take.
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After Well Done Abba [2010], I didn’t get an opportunity to work with him. I lost touch with him in recent years because he was busy working in the south film industry. He was like sugar in milk — he would effortlessly blend into every role.
Ghouse’s best work
Subah (1987): Bharat Rangachary’s television show, which was based on Sivasankari’s novel, tackled drug addiction and peer pressure through its two central characters. Ghouse played drug addict Bharat.
Bharat Ek Khoj (1988): The show was the second venture in a long collaboration between Ghouse and Benegal. The actor went on to star in Trikal, Sardari Begum, Samvidhaan and Well Done Abba.
Vettri Vizhaa (1989): Ghouse, who juggled Hindi and south films, made his Tamil debut as the terrifying villain Zinda in this Kamal Haasan hit.
Thiruda Thiruda (1993): Ghouse played a gangster in Mani Ratnam’s black comedy that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
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