“I love India” – Martin Sheen

By Subhash K. Jha -

December 5, 2014 - 10:51 AM IST

The very distinguished American actor Martin Sheen chats up with Subhash K Jha

“I love India” – Martin Sheen

You've now played another memorable part in Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain. Do you see Warren Anderson, the man responsible for 3000 deaths during the Bhopal gas tragedy as a villain?

Unfortunately he could not find enough courage within his being to at least stand up and be a human being. Can you imagine what guilt he lived with for 30 years? He couldn't find that moment of clarity to stand up and be courageous, to at least say sorry for what had happened in Bhopal and his involvement in the tragedy. For that reason, the film needs to be seen and viewed as a lesson to the West for being very very careful in dealing with their resources particularly human resources in the developing world.

All your sons are actors. Are you happy with that?

Frankly, I never saw that coming. I think I was the last one in the family to realize there was such an interest in my children for acting. I never encouraged or discouraged it. They began to get involved in the process of acting on their own. I realized that my sons shared the same joy in acting that I did. And they discovered it on their own. It made me very happy that they discovered the same joy in the acting profession that I had experienced.

You've worked with your sons?

Yes, I think some of the best work that I've done has been with my children. I don't know if you've seen it. But my son Emilio wrote and directed a film called The Way. It's a very powerful film that we shot in Spain. It's about a 1000-year old pilgrimage from the North of Spain to the Western coast. Emilio actually wrote the part for me.

And you've directed only one film?

Yes, I directed a film called Cadence back in 1989 with my sons Charlie and Ramone in it. I enjoyed directing that film. But I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoy acting. It takes a couple of years to direct a film. I enjoyed the work with the actors, crew and the process of filming. But I didn't enjoy the post-production, editing, distribution, etc. I enjoy acting. And I love walking away once the camera is off.

You play Warren Anderson as an unscrupulous imperialist?

What we tried to do - and I think we succeeded - is to show how charismatic these CEOs of Western companies are. They'll do anything to harm the local people and get what they want and then walk away when all hell breaks loose.

This sounds eminently exploitative?

This is an age-old story of how the West has taken advantage of developing countries, abused their people and labour and walked away with their profits. Much of our (American) success is based on that exploitation.

It's amazing, Sir, to hear you say that, considering you belong to the Western world?

It's true, isn't it? We can no longer escape our responsibility to the developing world. We in the United States are just 6 percent of the world population. Yet we use nearly 60 percent of the entire resources of the world including food. We have a huge responsibility. I think Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain is an opportunity for the young to see what not to do. It is important for us in the West to be fair and just and above all moral in our dealings with developing countries, for our own sake.

Are you familiar with Indian cinema?

I don't know any directors by name. But I met one of the most celebrated directors. Forgive me, because I can't remember his name. But his movie was The Life Of Pi.

Sir, that is Ang Lee....

Yes, a very charming man and has made a wonderful film. Also, I don't know who directed Slumdog Millionaire. That's one of my favourite films.

That Danny Boyle, Sir?

Oh, Danny Boyle. He isn't Indian (Laughs).

Tell me about your new acting assignment?

I just finished a television series entitled Grace & Frankie. It's a sitcom. I am pleased to have worked with Jane Fonda on this series. She is one of my heroes. It's a comedy about two married couples who experience volcanic changes in their lives. It's very human and also very funny.

It must be much more comforting to have good co-stars like Jane Fonda than bad co-stars?

(laughs) I've had equal measures of both. It's always more rewarding to have good co-stars

Are you at peace with you existence?

Well, we live in a somewhat rural community. Not that we live in the wilderness. We have electricity and water. But we live in an environment where there's so much wildlife that it encroaches into our home.

I am sure the animals know who you are?

I think I should go out and tell them who I am.

Interestingly you didn't even get an Oscar for your stellar performance in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now?

No, I haven't even got nominated. However I did get nominated a few times for Emmys for television shows. And yes, I withdrew from the nominations.

Why is that?

I didn't like the idea of competing with fellow-actors. If they give awards they should give them to all the nominees. Otherwise if you give only one nominee the award, it becomes competitive.

But what to all the awards functions - and there are at least 20 of them in India - if all the actors begin to think like you?

(Laughs uproariously) Oh gosh, I can't even begin to imagine. It's like there is a battle and no soldier turns up to fight.

Maybe soon we'll see you in an Indian film?

I'd love to be in one. I love your country.