There isn’t much scope left for the traditional villain roles in the Indian film industry as the black & white characters have been replaced with grey ones weaved into scripts, actor Monty Nath, son of the legendary Prem Nath and Bina Rai, tells The News Porter in a freewheeling interview
—A brief montage video of Monty Nath created by a wellwisher on his birthday on 25th May 2022
By Ahmad Hamood (From Mumbai)
Walking under the towering shadow of a legend like Prem Nath and still being able to create a distinctive place for oneself is never easy. It becomes doubly difficult when there is another acting stalwart in the same household – someone no less than Bina Rai, Prem Nath’s wife. However, so enamoured was the famous couple’s younger son, Monty Nath, with the world of showbiz that he would make it a point to accompany his parents to shooting locations, put on their make-up, and oftentimes roam around the studio with the abandon of the child that he was, wanting to be photographed.
The 80s were when Monty Nath established himself with aplomb as a good-looking villain and went on to star in some hits of that decade like Ashaanti (1982), Teri Kasam (1982), Prem Rog (1982), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), etc. Like his father, he used to come across as a quintessential yet a likeable villain.
Born on 25th May, 1958 in the house of his parents in Malabar Hill, Mumbai, Monty kept alive the family tradition by acting in a number of films. His two sons, Adiraj and Arjun, are now taking the family flag forward having launched their YouTube channel, Major Mood Entertainment, and having shot a short film, Whats up Buddy, with Rajpal Yadav.
In a freewheeling interview with this writer, Monty Nath shared in some detail about his past and present and his plans for the morrow. Excerpts of the interview:
The News Porter: Your father and mother were both established actors. How do you reminisce about those early years?
Monty Nath: As a child, I used to accompany my mom and dad to their shooting locations. I remember how I used to put on their makeup and walk around the studio. I sat in the background as an extra behind my dad in the court scene of the film Mome Ki Gudiya, played drums in Baharon Ke Sapne and was there in the hospital scene in the classic Shor as well.
The News Porter: How do you feel when you look back at the days of your own debut as an actor?
Monty Nath: I had just passed out from school and was only 16 when I was offered a role in this film called Rahu Ketu where I was playing as my father, Premnath ji’s, son. In the very first scene I did, I had to face Dad so I requested him if we could rehearse the scene at home? But he just brushed off my suggestion saying, “This is your acid test. Do your preparation on your own. I will meet you directly tomorrow in front of the camera.”
He didn’t want me to look rehearsed. He explained to me that he was a theatre actor and believed in spontaneity.
The News Porter: Your father, the late Premnath ji was a legendary actor. Where would you put his stardom in today’s scenario?
Monty Nath: Dad is an all-time legend, and it’s to make it possible for today’s generation to view his stardom that I have made a 48-minute biopic film on him where I have interviewed 24 of his colleagues (all top stars), and compiled 24 blockbuster films of his like Aan, Barsaat, Bobby, Shor, Dharmatma, Teesri Manzil, Johnny Mera Naam, Janeman, Kalicharan, Roti Kapda aur Makaan and many more.
I have released this film on my son’s YouTube channel and link is available at https://youtu.be/hxaxUXajJ7M for all to view.
The News Porter: In your initial years you played a body double for Manoj Kumar. How challenging or difficult was it?
Monty Nath: As I have mentioned earlier, I was passionate about facing the camera. After I shot for my debut film Rahu Ketu in 1974, the film’s release got delayed and it was finally released only in 1978. During this interregnum, I Joined Mr. Sanjay Khan as his assistant in his debut directorial venture Chandi Sona. Thereafter, I joined my guru Manoj Kumar and worked with him in several films like Sanyasi, Dus Numbari, Aahutee and Kranti. Manoj ji was supposed to launch me as a hero in Bharat Ke Shaheed so I kept doing his body double shots as we were of equal height. One day, I was giving a daring shot for him at RK Studio when my uncle, (the legendary) Raj Kapoor spotted me and asked me if I would you like to do a cameo in his upcoming film Prem Rog. I immediately agreed and thus took off my acting career.
The News Porter: Tell us about your work experience with Amitabh Bachchan.
Monty Nath: Amit ji is my godfather who initially recommended me to his producers so when Mr. Yash Johar approached me for his film Agneepath, I was already doing many roles of the principal villain. This role that Mr Johar was offering required me to be with Amit ji throughout as his bodyguard. I couldn’t refuse it as Amit ji was involved. We did some power-packed scenes together in Agneepath, especially when we go to rescue his sister (played by Neelam) and Mithun Chakraborty from Dharavi chawl. There was a lot of fire in our performance.
Later, I also started a film with Amit Ji and Mithun titled Luv Kush.
The News Porter: You were a good friend of Rajesh Khanna too. How was it like working with him?
Monty Nath: Kaka ji, as we used to call him (Rajesh Khanna), was a friend right from his second film (Baharoon Ke Sapne) days. He was a very sensitive person so when I was pitted against him as the villain in Ashaanti, he was thrilled because to create the real effect, he would take me into confidence and actually punch me. We had some powerful confrontational scenes in Ashaanti followed by another film Aawaz done with him. It was great fun working with him as he too came from theatre background.
The News Porter: You have worked with some intense actors like Sanjiv Kumar. Who did you find the best actor to have worked with?
Monty Nath: Yes, I have worked with several intense actors like my Dad Prem Nath ji, Dilip Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Pran, Mehmood, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Rajnikanth, Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Raj Babbar, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Govinda, Amjad Khan and many more. But the actor I relished working with – one who had an electrifying persona – was my other dear friend Hari Bhai (Sanjeev Kumar). He was so versatile he could portray any character, and play young or old with great intensity and spontaneity. Again, he was a power-packed stage actor.
The News Porter: You have worked with your childhood friend Kumar Gaurav in some films. Do you still keep in touch with him?
Monty Nath: I have worked with my childhood buddy Bunty (Kumar Gaurav) in as many as three films. Our first film together titled Teri Kasam was his second outing as an actor, where I shoot him followed by Hum Hain Lajawab. My third film with him was Ek Se Bhale Do, where I was portraying a great character who had a takiya kalaam (catchphrase) that went as Tan Tana Tan Tan. I remember that in- between the shots Kumar Gaurav would fool around using my takiya kalaam (Tan Tana Tan Tan) in good humour. By the grace of God, we keep in regular touch even today.
The News Porter: In today’s age of OTT, where do you see the scope for traditional villain roles. Would you agree it’s headed for extinction?
Monty Nath: Absolutely. There isn’t any scope left for the role of a traditional villain as the black & white characters have been replaced by characters with shades of grey weaved into the script. Melodrama, or tear jerker, is no more acceptable. Situational clashes are taking the content forward. One has to be creatively very effective, otherwise the fast forward remote is totally in the viewer’s hands.
The News Porter: Your sons are set for a career in the film industry. How excited are you as a father?
Monty Nath: I am very happy that both my sons, Adiraj and Arjun, are carrying forward the family legacy, and have launched their own YouTube channel (Major Mood Entertainment) and have released 35 videos until now. They have also shot a short film, Whats up Buddy, with Rajpal Yadav. My elder son Adiraj has trained at and graduated from Kishore Namit Kapoor Academy and is getting several offers to make his debut as a hero.
The News Porter: It’s your birthday today (25 May). We wish you the very best. You are active doing web series, and south and international projects etc. We look forward to many more productive years for you.
Monty Nath: Thank you! The show will keep going on.
Also read by the same author:
ICC T-20 WC brings back memories of our cricketing days in as-pretty-as-a-picture Sultanate of Oman – THE NEWS PORTER
A post-Millennial’s tribute to the ‘last Mogul’ of Indian cinema – THE NEWS PORTER
‘Writing retreat helps unlock writer’s block, boosts creative flow’ – THE NEWS PORTER
Dancing away the pandemic blues: An out-of-the-box way to tide over gloom – THE NEWS PORTER
Ahmad Hamood is currently pursuing his management studies from Mumbai. He takes up freelance writing assignments occasionally and likes to write on subjects he considers close to his heart.
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