The Hindu : Front Page : Now a Kabuliwala all the way from London

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Now a Kabuliwala all the way from London

Mandira Nayar

THIS KABULIWALA IS AN ENGLISHMAN: Sir Rob Young, former British High Commissioner to India, in his new role at Delhi's Akshara Theatre on Tuesday. - PHOTO: ANU PUSHKARNA

NEW DELHI: It is a twist that would seem more real in fiction. A former British High Commissioner to New Delhi coming back here to act in a television serial as the much-adored Pathan in the classic "Kabuliwala'' might sound like something straight out of a Roald Dahl script, but there is nothing political about it. It is all for the love of acting.

"If someone had told me when I was leaving Delhi for London at the end of my tenure here as High Commissioner that I would come back to act in a TV film, I would have laughed aloud. Yes, it is a bit of a shock to be back in India to act! I have always been interested in acting and have performed in school and college. It is a tempting career, but insecure. There are more out-of-work actors than successful ones,'' chuckles Sir Rob Young, the former British High Commissioner to India who will now be seen on Doordarshan in the series "Kathanjali'' produced by Delhi's good old Akshara Theatre.

While Sir Rob may be continuing his connection with India in a different "avatar", this non-governmental relationship will probably bring him much closer to the country in a way that his years as a diplomat would never have let him. Exploring more than just the touching tale of the much talked about Kabuliwala, Sir Rob will also recite extracts from Rabindranath Tagore's "Gitanjali'' for the small screen. He will also be a "hero" in the more philosophical work of poet-filmmaker Gopal Sharman's "Two and Two''.

"I was in India for five years and hugely enjoyed it. My wife and I keep coming back. But this here now will be an additional layer of pleasure. I was hesitant at first. I thought whether it is right for an Englishman to act in an Indian serial for a very Indian audience. There might be a cultural chasm. But old friend Sharman of Akshara persuaded me,'' says Sir Rob with a smile.

As with India, Sir Rob has enjoyed a special association with Akshara Theatre too, having read poetry many a time over the years within the intimate confines of the small but vibrant theatre nextdoor to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Baba Kharak Singh Marg.

"It is a challenge to adapt to the small screen. I had to learn to restrict my gestures and facial expressions,'' says Sir Rob. "I think the two professions complement each other. In diplomacy you have to project, persuade, get people to listen to what you are saying and get people to concentrate on what you are stating. So there is some resemblance between the two.''

While Sir Rob still thinks that being a diplomat and an amateur actor is best, for his director Sharman his voice has the same quality as Sir Laurence Olivier. But not being carried away with his newfound career or his director's praise, Sir Rob says: "I have other interests. This is still a hobby. But a hugely enjoyable and fascinating one.''

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