Be it going undercover to report crime stories and printing them under a pen name or playing
different roles in the uniform of the regiment, for John Aguiar, a well-known
journalist and currently an Information Officer at the Department of
Information and Publicity, finding the truth is paramount. Happy at the
opportunity of playing part of his real time persona on celluloid, which also
signals his debut in acting in Konkani films, John says that in films, the
length of a role is not always supreme. What matters is the substance it holds,
he says. He adds, “I have played a minor role of a cop who has to arrest a
member of the police force himself. I had just two dialogues but it was a
completely different experience as I was acting in the midst of well-known
artistes such as Prince Jacob and Tapan Acharya.”
Donning the uniform is not new to John. He
has been the PRO (Public Relations Officer) for the Goa Police Department and
is also the Company Commander for Home Guards. Talking of his experience acting
in a film, he says, “A reel life character depends on the story and the
character is accordingly shaped. In real life, there is the element of
unpredictability. There is also a system of formalities and procedures that have
to be adhered to.”
He has been the recipient of the
prestigious President’s Home Guard and Civil Defence Medal for meritorious
services in Home Guards in 2012 and the recipient of the Goa Chief Minister’s
Gold medal for meritorious services in Home Guards in 2007 and the Director
General of Civil Defence, New Delhi commendation for meritorious service in
2013.
Speaking about his tryst with acting, John adds, “I feel I am a
born actor. I have acted during my college days in plays for gatherings and at cultural
events. I have written street plays in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and plays
that were aired on All India Radio and staged for Doordarshan.”
A few years ago, John made a short film to create awareness on
dengue. His future goal is to make a Konkani film. “Making a film requires
time. I want to make a Konkani film but I am currently unable to devote the
right amount of time to it, so I will possibly go ahead with my plans after
retirement from service. I have a concept running through my mind. It’s about a
young man in the Indian Army. It will have the theme of patriotism and devotion
to the country and family and will shed light on the sacrifices a soldier has
to endure at the borders for his country.”
Besides
films, John is also excited about his latest Konkani track ‘Tujea Moga’ that is
yet to be released. Known as a romantic poet, John has penned four books of
Konkani poems – ‘Jinn’, ‘Paulam’, ‘Gulmohar’ and ‘Saanz’. Talking about the
track and what inspires him, he says, “It is a love song. Inspiration can
strike you at any time so I always keep a pen and paper at hand, to jot what
comes to mind and keep it in my pocket to work on later. Sometimes I note it
down on my mobile. I hum a tune and a song is born,” John says.
