Mere Baap Pehle Aap, Puri has showcased various facets of his acting skills

Be it his serious turn in films like "Mirch Masala" and "Dharavi", or playing comic roles in "Singh Is Kinng" and "Mere Baap Pehle Aap", Puri has showcased various facets of his acting skills, and in the bargain has gained an equal number of fans in India and abroad. Interestingly, Puri, who was in Kanpur recently, says he will again be seen in a serious role in his next film based on honour killings, after a long time.

Talking about the role, Puri says, "Yes, after a long gap I would be seen in a serious role. I am doing a film named "Khap", which is based on honour killing. I am playing the sarpanch in this film who strongly believes in the Khap system. But finally his attitude changes because of the twists and turns in his own life," Apart from this film, Puri says that he will also be seen in "Don 2" and "Agneepath".

Since Puri himself agrees that he'll be in a serious avatar after a long time, we wonder what kept him away from his forte for all these years? Puri responded, "It was not a deliberate attempt. It's just that these days, filmmakers offer me only comedy roles. But I don't think it's the fault of filmmakers either. For, it's the viewers who are at fault. It's because of them that very few movies have scope for serious roles and as result, filmmakers are left with no option but to toe the line."

But what really angers Puri is a lack of lead roles for actors his age. He rued, "Actually in Bollywood, filmmakers don't believe in designing films while keeping the age of actors in mind. It isn't like that in Hollywood. Filmmakers there have roles even for older actors and they believe in utilizing the skills of veteran actors," he says.

Then, what did he have to say about Big B going strong even now, especially with a film like "Bbuddha Hoga Tera Baap" still attracting viewers? "Frankly speaking, I am not Amitabh Bachchan," shrugs Puri, while pointing out, "I feel that I am no less skilled in acting than Amitabh, but the problem is that mere baap producer nahi hain."

Is that the case with Amitabh Bachchan, we ask, only partly in jest. And he shoots back, "Par woh industry ke baap hain. After all he is a megastar and producers love offering him roles that suit his age