I love playing a gangster: Prashant Narayanan

Chennai: Prashant Narayanan, who is known for his dark roles in films such as Bhindi Baazaar and Murder 2, is now shooting for television series Encounter. The show is based on real life incidents that will trace the lives of real gangsters from their early days to the day of their encounter. Prashant will be seen playing Shamsher Bhopali, known as the “killing machine”, who later fell in love with a junior actress.

Talking about the role Prashant said, “I love playing a gangster and therefore was particularly looking forward to this one. In a lot of ways the show reminds me of Bhindi Bazaar, except that it’s a lot more serious.”

Prashant, who was in the same theatre group as actor Manoj Bajpai in Delhi (incidentally also known for his powerful performance as the gangster Bhiku Mhatre in Satya), admits that there’s a lot to learn from his friend. “But we haven’t been able to keep that much in touch unfortunately. Our work took us in different directions, but we still watch out for each other’s films,” he says.

The actor has also been shooting for a Malayalam film titled Edavapathi with Manisha Koirala, but had to discontinue it due to Manisha’s ill health. “We’re waiting for Manisha to be perfectly fine. Once she is, we’ll resume the shoot,” he says.

Prashant has in the past, declined the offer to be on the hugely popular reality show Bigg Boss. Has he changed his mind since then? “I can do any show on television except Bigg Boss. Yes, I was offered the show but I declined it. I cannot live in a jail for money,” he says.

Apart from acting, Prashant is also writing a book which is expected to hit the shelves during Diwali.