A teetotaler in real life, Pankaj Kapur plays the role of a boisterous, alcoholic zamindar in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. In the film, he is a wealthy industrialist, Harry Mandola, who loves his drink a bit too much. For Kapur, who does not even drink socially, playing an alcoholic wasn’t easy. Says the actor, “Yes, I had to do a bit of research. I observed many friends who drink. It was of great help. I also watched a lot of people from various walks of life and asked the unit people for a few tips. Vishal was a great help too.” He adds that the basic requirement to play any role is always dedication and hard work. “To understand the craft, to accept and give what the director wants is more than enough. I have tried to do what Vishal had visualised.
