*Article from: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/
(ariticle below transcribed because of web linking problems
to the articles actual web page)
Do I look like a rapist?, asks Ranjeet
MUMBAI, Mar 1: Actor, villain and
bad man of the silver screen-that is Ranjeet. An excellent
performer, Ranjeet will always be remembered as a bad man,
of Hindi films, the role he mastered over two decades. "At
one I had over 80 films on the floor, where killing, kidnaping
and rapping was a must. Soon I was branded a rapist. Do I
look like one ?, asked Ranjeet.
Born Gopal Bedi, Ranjeet, as a child was very naughty.
At the age of eight, he would beat up all the boys around.
"In fact if any kid in the neighborhood was found crying,
everyone felt perhaps I have beaten them", said Ranjeet.
RanjeetÕs love for sports took him to National Defence
Academy (NDA). But at NDA, he got into a mess and was forced
to leave. "I got involved with the instructorÕs daughter.
This entire issue blew up and finally I was asked to leave",
said Ranjeet.
For someone who wanted to become a fighter pilot, all
his dreams were shattered with his dismissal from NDA. Disillusioned
and dejected Ranjeet found solace in films. He began watching
films, but it was Dev AnandÕs Guide which left a lasting impression
on him. He saw Guide several times and could talk, walk, act
and mimic Dev Anand in Guide. Soon the acting bug caught on.
Ranjeet started off with some roles on TV, then a Punjabi
play and soon decided to move to Mumbai.
"For months Ranjeet did not get any work. Perhaps he was
waiting for work to come to him, little knowing that was not
the way. Then came Sunil DuttÕs Reshama Aur Shera as Waheeda
RehmanÕs brother, followed by Mohan SehgalÕs Sawan Bandon,
where I played RekhaÕs brother. "I started playing brotherÕs
role.....then rapist", added Ranjeet.
Ranjeet became a successful villain with Sharmelle. "People
just loved me in Sharmelle", said Ranjeet. Kader Khan, his
co-star in several films said, ÔRanjeet was perfect as a toughie,
bad man, dacoit. Someone who could just carry the heroine
on his shoulders and walk away".
Ranjeet got fed up playing bad man, villain and negative
role. In fact even when not acting, people started seeing
him as a villain. "At parties women were uncomfortable with
me around. Even during my wedding some relative asked my Mother-in-law
if could not find anyone else for her daughter", laughed he.
Ranjeet made attempt to shed the Ôvillain imageÕ and produced
two films namely Karnaama and Gajab Tamasha, which flopped.
As for change, Ranjeet turned towards stage. "I did two
plays Hanky Panky and Papa DonÕt Preach". In both plays I
had a comic role and people and people loved me. Then I did
Jatra in Bengali. I wrote my lines and learnt Bengali. This
was the first time I was enjoying acting", said Ranjeet.
A villain, an actor, a producer, a TV star and above all
a good human being, Ranjeet seems to have it all, but that
is not true. He says he has a lot more to do in life. Meet
Ranjeet in Kuch Yaadein Kuch Baatein on Sunday March 1, 11
am on Star Gold.
