To

Paresh Rawal

Everything that surrounds you seems incredible. The way you’ve stormed into the glamorous world of Bollywood with your amazing sense of humour is incredible and the way you are underrated, still, is also incredible. The mantra in Bollywood nowadays is to look hot and gorgeous by wearing sleeveless T-shirts, only to show one’s bulging biceps or to wear innerwear only if it’s out. In an era where looks reign supreme and acting skills are passe, you are undoubtedly a glowing exception. You neither have any glamour nor anything ‘macho’ to flaunt. But whatever acting potential you’ve got has urged me to write this letter to you. You portray every character with the same exquisite elan and the way you throw dialogues is simply astounding. You’ve taken the genre of acting to such a height which most other actors can only gasp at. The rare acting talent that flashes each time you stand in front of the camera remains missing from most of the overhyped actors. But with all the skills in your repertoire, which the other actors could only dream of, you still remain a ‘tragic hero’.

You are rated below Govinda, Johnny Lever type of comic actors, who force us to laugh rather than make us laugh, naturally. You may feel disappointed to hear that whenever I mention that I’m a true fan of Paresh Rawal, I get an ‘ignorant’ look!

But feel good to know, Sir, that if ever you come across this letter, you’ll find that there is a boy who truly values your talent as an actor, who doesn’t get perturbed by the glamour of Bollywood, but recognises you as an institution as far as the word ‘acting’ is concerned.

Pratyay Banerjee

(Tollygunge, Calcutta)