Not Irrfan, Kay Kay Menon was first choice for 'Maqbool'
Veteran actor Kay Kay Menon recently spoke about his career and his relationships with fellow actors Manoj Bajpayee and the late Irrfan Khan. The actor, who has been in the industry for nearly three decades, is currently awaiting the release of his JioCinema mini-series, Shekhar Home. All three celebrated actors entered the Hindi film industry during a period when directors were uncertain about how to utilize their talents.
'Filmmakers didn't know how to use us'
"I don't think filmmakers knew how to use us," Menon told Indian Express. "So we had to settle for playing villains and half-villains here and there." "We had a different equation, Manoj and I still do. Maqbool, for example, I was supposed to do it, and I could not, so Irrfan did it." He also revealed that Bajpayee was the first choice for Haider, but since he didn't have dates, Menon accepted it.
Menon on being typecast, his absence from mainstream films
Menon also addressed being typecast in 'serious roles' for a long time. Despite this, he maintains that he can be "seriously funny" and has never taken himself too seriously. When questioned about his absence from mainstream films, Menon stated that he is open to any film that is interesting and does not offend the senses. "I have nothing against anti-gravity films but my only problem is that as long as you make it believable, I am there to watch."