'Even at the peak of my popularity in Hindi films, I have gone out of my way to act in regional cinema. I went and acted in Bengali, Kannada and did a film in Malayalam because I am a huge fan of Baloo Mahendra. So if something like that happens, yes, I will act again,' he added.

A leading persona of avant-garde theatre in India, Amol wowed the audiences for over a decade from 1970 with his boy-next-door image in movies like 'Rajnigandha' (1974), 'Chhoti Si Baat' (1975), 'Chitchor' (1976), 'Golmaal' (1979) and 'Baton Baton Mein' (1979) that carved a niche despite the larger-than-life heroes of that time.

Amol quit acting after his 1986 film 'Baat Ban Jaye' to concentrate on filmmaking and theatre. He, however, did a cameo in the Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Aks' (2001).

Probed more about his absence from the big screen, he said: 'Nothing really excited me, nothing was so challenging that came my way and fortunately there was no compulsion that I have to act.

'There is still no compulsion and this role (in 'Samaantar') does not mean that once again I'll open shop and start acting, certainly not until something excites me,' asserted Amol who last made the Marathi 'Dum Kata' (2008).

Amol has teamed up with his favourite actress, Sharmila Tagore, in the film. The actors are coming together almost after 30 years -- they shared screen space together in the Bengali film 'Mother' that was released in late 1970s.

The actor, who is featuring in his own film almost 30 years after his directorial venture 'Ankahee' (1984), was lured into 'Samaantar' by the central character Keshav Vaze.

'Keshav is at the pinnacle of his success and professionally a very successful industrialist. His days are very hectic with board meetings and all, flying in and out, but at the end of the day he is a very lonely man and this melancholy amongst the din and hustle bustle is what fascinated me.'

(Robin Bansal can be contacted at robin.b@ians.in)