Prateek Chakravorty

Watch that weight. Traditionally, no leading star can be endowed with extra kilos. No tummy flab, no sagging chins and certainly no balloon face. Which is why I felt wretched for a very appealing, technical savvy actor-cum-director Prateek Chakravorty who made his debut in a not-too-bad romcom titled From Sydney with Love.

Now this 20-something Prateek is talented, but because he’s faaaaat, either he’ll be typecast as the sidey funny guy slipping on banana peels, or left to his own devices to organise finances etc for his next film.
Because of his lineage, Prateek — grandson of yesteryear’s producer-director Pramod Chakravorty — could get another shot at the limelight but has to resolve whether he wants to limit himself to buffoonish, hamburger-chomping antics. Before him, Sikander Kher and Jackky Bhagnani (shudder) slaved at their near-obesity, losing practically half their bodies before facing the camera. Ditto Arjun Kapoor, whose makeover from Shrek to an Ishaqzaada, is the kind of story that’ll be quoted for years.
Like Rekha’s metamorphosis from a tub of lard to Umrao Jaan is. But then it’s up to Prateek, of course, to take his call. To make an acting debut as a Butterball was a dare, but that’s it. Here’s hoping his career-graph doesn’t end there.
Indeed weight issues have meant finito for even senior stars, at times prematurely. Shashi Kapoor, one of the most good-looking actors Bollywood has known (along with Dharmendra), suddenly quit taking an interest in his shape and size. One reason could be that he had incurred heavy financial losses on his movie productions. Another oft-cited reason is that he drank excessively after the passing away of his wife Jennifer Kendall. Consequently, the Adonis actor became unrecognisable, which was used to advantage however in Ivory-Merchant’s In Custody. His portrayal of a nawab gone to seed seemed to have a personal resonance.
Elder brother Shammi Kapoor went on to character roles as soon as his girth went out of control. And there was the curious case of Amjad Khan. After a road accident, intensive medication transformed the lean-‘n’-mean Gabbar into a heavy-set figure who could barely move from a chair, evidenced tragically in one of his last roles, in Kalpana Lajmi’s Rudaali.
On the other hand, a bit of extra weight never ever reduced the appeal of Rishi Kapoor. His double-knit sweaters became a fashion statement in the 1970s, and his talent for cool dance steps endeared him to the audience. The famous Kapoor tendency to add on kilos hasn’t affected his appeal to date, what with his remarkably buoyant performances, particularly in Do Dooni Char and Agneepath.
Take Vidya Balan. It’s generally believed that voluptuous heroines are preferred, by the Indian male viewers than matchstick zero-figures, which is why Kareena Kapoor’s bikini act in Tashan tanked. She has retrieved some of her kilos, but there’s Sonakshi Sinha who surely needs to lose plenty. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s weight gain after becoming a mother has been constantly critiqued. So how about letting her be?
Of course, looks have been of primeval importance to cinema everywhere. Like Hollywood is identified with such heroes as Gregory Peck, Rock Hudson, Paul Newman, Tom Cruise Leonardo di Caprio. It’s indeed the rare exception who can attain super-status.
Over time, personality projection has become a vital quotient as well. So, I’m not suggesting that heroes and heroines should look perfect and drop dead gorgeous.
I’m only lamenting the fact that actors who’re young and gifted may never get the opportunities they deserve because the movie camera just doesn’t take kindly to fat.
Head for the gym, Prateek!