Kolkata: Actor Ashish Vidyarthi, known for portraying baddies in films, is happy that Bollywood's famous villain Pran will be honoured with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award.
"Yes, it's a huge thing. His impact on the Indian society cannot be understated. For many years no kid was named 'Pran'. Just imagine he had such a big impact," said Ashish on the sidelines of a programme here Tuesday.
Pran, who acted in over 350 films, became an object of hatred after his portrayals of a bad guy in a series of films, including hits like 'Madhumati', 'Ziddi' and 'Ram Aur Shyam'.
But he also did character roles in films like 'Upkaar' and 'Zanjeer' and it helped in changing viewers' perceptions of him.
"...it's been amazing and the fact that he has worked in such amazing films again not just as a villain," said Ashish.
The 93-year-old was named for the Dada Saheb Phalke award - the highest honour in Indian cinema - earlier this month.
"He is a very inspiring person. I have worked with him once so that is something I hold very dear to me," said Ashish recollecting old memories.
Ashish, famous for his portrayal of negative characters in movies like 'Vaastav', 'Daud' and 'Soldier' and other Bengali and south Indian films, launched an audio CD 'Blue Strings' at the event.
He has been in the industry for 22 years but Ashish Vidyarthi says he's still learning and his motto is the same as that of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs - 'stay hungry, stay foolish'.
Jobs had used the expression during his famous address to students of Stanford University in 2005, urging them to never be satisfied and be always willing to learn.
"It's been 22 years in this industry and more than 300 films. But I still am hungry and I still am foolish - to use the term, which has been made famous by Steve Jobs," said the actor.
"So I'd love to stay hungry and stay foolish and do some interesting parts and keep being on-goingly inspired every moment of my life, not just when I am working," he added.
"I love actors and I get inspired. Each time I see a performance, I start comparing myself and most of the time I find myself lacking," he said at the launch of 'Blue Strings', an instrumental CD by new musician Partha here.
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