Irrfan Khan, who turned 47 on January 7, is all set to conquer new peaks in 2014. This year, the incredibly adventurous actor is all set to start new films with super- directors Nishikant Kamath, Vishal Bhardwaj, Sujoy Ghosh and Shoojit Sircar. Most exciting of all is the Shoojit Sircar's film which brings Irrfan face-to-face with Big B for the first time.Says Irrfan "Can you believe it, during all these years in the film industry, I've never worked with Bachchan Saab or with Naseer Saab! Lekin script bhi toh honi chahiye! The screenplay has to justify our coming together. Finally I am working with Bachchan Saab in Shoojit's film."
At the moment Irrfan is shooting for a film with the Mumbai Meri Jaan director Nishikant Kamath. Says Irrfan cryptically, "It's a project which we've been mulling over for some time. It's a political thriller about corruption and moral accountability, very topical very relevant to our times." In Kamath's film, Irrfan shares screen space with Jimmy Sheirgill.
Talking about his first time association with different actors this year, the actor says, "I suppose 2014 is my year of first-time happenings. I'm working with Bachchan Saab for the first time this year. I'll also be directed by Sujoy Ghosh for the first time in a film where I'll be paired with Vidya Balan for the first time. I am looking forward to that as well."
The thriller directed by Sujoy Ghosh will be followed by another film with Vishal Bhardwaj. Says Irrfan, "Vishal and I share a very special rapport. I've done Maqbool and Saat Khoon Maaf with Vishal. In his new film Haider I make a guest appearance. Now we've locked in on another film which we'll collaborate on at the end of the year, so all in all I think it's another year of exciting challenges for me."
And to think just a month ago Irrfan told me he is a "jobless" actor hungry for new challenges! "Dekhiye, ek kalaakaar ki bhookh kabhi marti nahin. I'll continue the hunger for more challenging roles even after working with Nishikant, Shoojit, Sujoy and Vishal this year."