MUMBAI: Actor Vivaan Shah, who has grown up watching a lot of realistic cinema featuring his father Naseeruddin Shah, says the signature of Indian cinema is its emotion and drama, but the projection of realism has changed from the working class to the bourgeoisie.
Asked if he's interested in realistic cinema over commercial ventures, Vivaan told IANS here: "I think realism in Indian cinema transformed from proletariat to bourgeoisie. Earlier, dad, Om Puri, Amitabh Bachchan and other heroes of films used to play the working class -- whether it was a farmer, coolie, factory workers.
"Now you hardly get to see such characters even in what we call realistic cinema."
The actor, who made his debut in 2011 in the black comedy "7 Khoon Maaf", added that the characters nowadays have changed to middle and upper class.
"They are into '9 to 5' jobs and constantly seeking for a better lifestyle. I think this is an interesting phase in our cinema where a film like 'Trapped' and 'Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana' can co-exist," he said.
The 27-year-old actor is very excited about his forthcoming "Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana", directed by Manish Harishankar. The film also features Akshara Haasan, Gurmeet Choudhary, Ravi Kishan, Saurabh Shukla and Sanjay Mishra.
The film, which is slated to release on April 7, revolves around a royal marriage and situational comedy where the leading lady gets pregnant before marriage.
So what made him choose this film?
"Of course, I love the script and its star cast. I have the chance to work with some of the talented actors like Saurabh Shukla and Sanjay Mishra. Akshara Haasan is a childhood friend. The story talks about traditional institution like marriage and family values with a modern undertone," he said.
The "Happy New Year" actor, who has a theatre background, feels "it is a wrong notion that theatre acting is loud and film's (acting) is subtle. I feel like theatre is live cinema."
Is his father happy about his film choices?
Vivaan said: "He is happy."