(From left) Chaalis Chauraasi director Hriday Shetty, Naseeruddin Shah and Ravi Kissen address a news meet in Patna on Friday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, Jan. 13: Naseeruddin Shah came to the city today to promote his latest silver screen venture, Chaalis Chauraasi, but had a piece of advice for practitioners of his old love — theatre.

Shah, one of the leading lights of the parallel cinema movement who made a smooth transition into the mainstream Bollywood, Hollywood and English cinema, had one overarching suggestion for theatre practitioners in the state: “For theatre, actors are required, not infrastructure.”

The thespian, of course, is well versed in the art of the stage. A Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner, Shah was also one of the earliest students of the National School of Drama, New Delhi. He is also the director of Motley Productions, a theatre group he formed with Tom Alter and Benjamin Gilani in 1977.

Today, he said: “Those who are interested in theatre cannot keep complaining about the lack of infrastructure or the government’s apathetic attitude. Rather, they should join hands and perform. That’s how it is done. It is the performance that matters, not the stage.”

Shah, who recently charmed everyone by shaking a leg with Vidya Balan in Ooh la la…, also claimed: “I have always done films on my own terms. It is because of the script, storyline, co-actors and director that I join a project; not because of the length of my role or its commercial viability. The project should interest me as an actor.”

His fans, who will buy tickets for weekend shows, will be hopeful that Chaalis Chauraasi, is also one such project.

The film, directed by Hriday Shetty, explores the genres of humour and revolves around the misadventures of four cops. Shah plays one of the policemen, while Atul Kulkarni, Kay Kay Menon and Bhojpuri star Ravi Kissen essay the other three.

Chaalis Chauraasi, unlike some of his other films (Aakrosh, Mirch Masala) will not deliver a strong social message, said Shah. “What message is there in Dabangg? That was such a huge hit. Cinema is a form of art. It should be treated like one,” he shot back when asked about the social implications of his film.

The film’s director said the love of the people of Bihar had drawn the cast and crew to Patna. “Artistes know only the language of love and are hungry for appreciation. Bihar drew us this time. I appeal people to go and watch the movie. It is a healthy and entertaining film. Everyone will love it,” Shetty added.

Ravi Kissen, too, asked his admirers, who are more accustomed to see his histrionics in Bhojpuri cinema, to catch his latest Bollywood outing.