From screen to soul....

After theatre and films character actor SURESH OBEROI is ready to enter the world of the soul. He tells K.KANNAN how....

As a 33-year-old man selling medicines in Hyderabad, Suresh Oberoi did not enter the film world purely by chance. With a rich background in theatre and mimicry, he manoeuvred his way into filmdom with ``Ek Baar Phir'' released in 1980.

Two decades hence, this veteran of nearly 275 films has chanced upon a second career. This too has not come to him purely by accident. He has slowly inched towards it. For 11 years now, this gentleman star has been holding ``Soul Classes'' abroad and is planning to launch the same in the Capital in April this year.

``I have learnt certain things in life and I want to share them with others. I was a very angry, dominating and a sad person. I learnt to be positive and calm. What I learnt I want to share,'' says the seasoned character actor in his famous baritone.

Here in the Capital to receive the Outstanding National Citizen Award from the All India Achievers' Conference, Oberoi says he is slated to do two films this year, one with Ram Gopal Varma and the other with Agastyan. ``Both films have Fardeen Khan in the lead role,'' he says. He has, however, stopped acting in television serials. ``In fact, I have done only two -- `Daastan' and `Kasak' -- but they have gone on for years.''

A ``good, disciplined actor'' that he is, Suresh Oberoi is satisfied and content with his career. ``I have had so many memorable films -- `Shraddhanjali', `Kanoon Kya Karega', `Aitbaar', `Rishta Kagaz Ka', `Ghungroo', `Kaal Chakra', `Anaadi' and `Mirch Masala' -- and while earlier, I used to be excited and wait for roles, these days, I have learnt to take it in my stride.''

Oberoi says right from the start, he always used to do two or three films at a time. ``I have played a hero in `Tumhare Bina' and in `Ek Baar Phir', but do not forget that I joined the films late. I also did not want to be a hero overnight and then fade out suddenly,'' he observes, looking back on his career.

Talking about his present pre-occupation, Oberoi says his ``Soul Classes'' are in the form of a two-day workshop in which he launches people on a course of self-enquiry, self-analysis and self-realisation. ``We have different modules for corporates and for individuals and our guest lecturers include the world's leading psychiatrists, motivational speakers and leaders from all walks of life,'' he says.

Having held classes in the Gulf and in Mumbai for the past 11 years, Oberoi is also planning to write a book -- titled `The Art of Blissful Living' -- based on his personal tragedies and experience.

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