Raj Babbar in Toronto - An exclusive talk with StarBuzz

Raj Babbar, the Bollywood Star and an active politician was in Toronto last week for Parvasi Award Nite. StarBuzz had a chance to meet him at the Radisson Plaza in Mississauga and had a chat with him, during the press conference organized by South Asian Press Club of Canada. Raj Babbar started his film career in a very successful negative character role in B.R. Chopra's film 'Insaaf Ka Tarazu', eventually turned into one of the most wanted protoganists of the Bollywood industry in the 80's.
When asked by StarBuzz for the reasons as to why  most of the Bollywood actors took to politics, he said, "It is a very potent question and I do not know about others but I have been active in politics right from my college days. Perhaps it is the high energy level that works and if you compare both professions, in both of them you are communicating with people, and I enjoy both. By God's grace I have earned good name and I want to put it to good use." Surely he is doing that.

When asked about what he thought about the new generation of actors, directors and the new Bollywood, and whether the older generation could learn something from them, he said " They, the new generation, are now very well equipped, disciplined and trained in all aspects. They have a much better exposure. It is a 'naya daur'(New Generation/Time) and every decade of the film industry had its own 'daur' identity and style. Of course there is always something to learn from the new, as it is an ongoing process. In our times we could not think of going global".

"Indians all over the world have an emotional strength which makes them stand apart", Babbar added while talking about Indians settled overseas.

The discussion with him was over a lunch and he also seemed to enjoy good food.  He congratulated the management and Mrs Sethi of Radisson Plaza for his wonderful stay, hospitality and wholesome food in their exquisite hotel. "I am glad that I came to Toronto, Canada and visited you all here. It is a great city" Babbar said in a departing note.

- Meena chopra for StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto
-Pics by Ben Girn