I have been working there since 10, 11 years, I never felt a sense of any discrimination. Nil, zero. There must be very few actors who are invited abroad because it is expensive. They give me air fare, either first class or business class and first class accommodation in central London.
Never have I felt discrimination on the sets or in their behaviour whether they were assistants, production people, chauffeurs. They love me. I have never given them a chance by throwing any kind of tantrum. Yes, I know what my rights are and what I deserve and I ask for it. I haven't had to ask but I would ask if I'm not given that.
Sometimes the weather is also harsh. The weather is harsh in India also in the summers but it is killing to shoot in these studios. Our studios are pathetic, no AC, not very clean. There, the shoot depends on what your role is -- White Teeth was tough for me and so was My Son Ihe Fanatic. I did not even have a single day when I was not shooting. Only Sundays was chutti. Everyday I would go to the sets as a cameraman would because I was in every single shoot.
They start early, sometimes 7am, sometimes 6.30, and their shift is for 11 hours. Our shift here is supposed to be 8 hours, but now because filmmakers have learnt from television and have 9 to 9 shifts. Some filmmakers are more indulgent who carry on even further than that. Unko jab thakavat ho jayegi then they will say packup, they are not bothered about other people.
It's a joy working there. It's good work and when you come back it gives you pleasure. On returning you take a shower and look at the day and say 'Ah! Nice scenes we did!' And you relax and recover soon. Here sometimes you are doing nothing in the day but you are there for the shoot. You come home and it can be a very frustrating, with that frustration the tiredness does not go, you know. Good piece of work gives you that strength and kick.
Om Puri with Ismail Merchant, who most recently directed him in The Mystic Masseur