The gravelly voice of Mukesh Rishi as ‘Bulla’ in ‘Gunda’ remains etched in Bollywood lore, with memes flooding social media even today. The actor, celebrated for his commanding screen presence, recently reminisced about the film’s director, Kanti Shah, in an in-depth conversation.
Shah, absent from theaters since 2015, once dominated a unique segment of the industry. Rishi lauded his expertise: ‘Cinema had two worlds then – the balcony elite and the front-row masses. Kanti understood the pulse of that audience and delivered films that resonated deeply with them. He was unparalleled in that style.’
Just months back, Rishi connected with Shah, who is brainstorming ways to revive ‘Gunda’. ‘The movie’s online now, so he can draw from it freely,’ Rishi advised.
Pressed on their ongoing relationship, Rishi was straightforward: ‘We’re not in frequent contact, and I have no clue about his present activities or projects.’
The interview highlighted ‘Bulla’s timeless charm, thrilling Rishi as new generations discover it. Shah’s legacy, as per Rishi, lies in mastering low-budget spectacles that packed theaters with unpretentious fans, proving that targeted filmmaking can create cultural phenomena.
