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Marathi movies have a lot of cultural depth: Gaurav Ghatnekar

Gaurav Ghatnekar
Gaurav Ghatnekar (Photo by: Gaurav Ghatnekar)

Popular Marathi actor Gaurav Ghatnekar speaks exclusively to Nation Next about his upcoming movie Kaay Re Rascala, which is produced by Priyanka Chopra. He also shares his views on the rising scope and scale of Marathi cinema, his learnings from his acting guru Naseeruddin Shah and his marriage with Marathi actress Shruti Marathe.

Excerpts:

You had essayed the role of Lord Krishna in a mythological drama series called Dharmakshetra on Epic channel. How was your experience playing such an important character? What preparation did you have to do to play Lord Krishna?

It was wonderful! To play the character of Lord Krishna was amazing because I feel he was a great politician. A lot of politicians revere him for the same reason. I read a lot of books to prepare for my character. I read Bhagavad Gita. I did a bit of research on Mahabharata and read books like  Yugant? and The difficulty of being good by Gurucharan das. These books really helped me, as our show was quite different from the original Mahabharata. Our show was basically about what happens post Mahabharata. All the characters die and go to the Chitragupta Sabha. It was (the show) about who’s going to heaven and who’s going to hell.

You landed a lead role in the upcoming Marathi movie Kaay Re Rascala produced by Priyanka Chopra. How did you get this role?

I had spoken to the director Giridharan Swamy earlier, who wanted me to play the lead role in this film. At that time, we didn’t have a producer; we were looking for one. I was in Bali for my honeymoon when Swamy called me up. He said that he wanted me to meet the producer. When I landed in Mumbai, I was asked to turn up at the production house – Purple Pebbles Pictures. It was then when I learnt that Priyanka Chopra would be producing our film. I told Swamy that had he told me earlier about the same, I would have postponed my wedding! (Laughs) I must say I had lady luck working for me!

Please tell us something about your role. How was working with Priyanka Chopra?

I’m playing a conman in the film. My character believes in smart work over hard work. This attitude is contrary to what I’m in my real life. I feel smart work happens only when you work hard. It’s quite interesting to play a character, which is stark opposite to you. I met Priyanka during the success party of Ventilator. She had even praised me for my performance. I had spoken to her during our poster shoot and that’s when she told me how she was confident about Kaay Re Rascala. Despite she being busy with her daily commitments, she knew what was happening on the sets on a daily basis. There was a report that was going to the US (to Priyanka Chopra) at the end of our shoot. After going through the report, she would make certain changes wherever required.

Of late, many prominent Bollywood actors have been producing Marathi movies. Do you think the scale and scope of Marathi movies has grown since then?

Definitely it has grown manifold. Earlier, Marathi movies had a lesser budget of mere 20-30 lakhs. Today, the budget has increased to a few crores. Producers are willing to invest huge money now. I even heard that Red Chillies Entertainment is also planning to produce Marathi movies. Marathi movies have a lot of cultural depth in them. There’s good literature, stories, etc. Content wise, there’s a lot to explore in Marathi movies.

You recently tied the knot with your co-actor Shruti Marathe. How is it when your co-star is your wife? If you were to work with her now, what would really change?

We didn’t fall in love while shooting. We were friends and we would discuss our respective careers. I remember my acting teacher Naseeruddin Shah telling me once, You?ll only be happy if you marry an actor. Because, you both would understand each other’s insecurities. We don’t have a 9 to 5 job. We have night shifts as well. Shruti and me are busy in our own work throughout the day. Marrying an actor is a blessing for actors who want to survive in the industry for a long time. Shruti and I have decided that we aren’t going to work together. We’ve explored every unseen character and dimension of ours. I would like to explore something new now. But, if there’s something exciting, we?ll certainly consider it.

Read more: Salman records his first ever Marathi song in flat 45 minutes!

How has Naseeruddin Shah, your acting teacher, helped you in improvising your acting skills

He told me that there’s no difference in theatre and television. It’s only the medium that’s changing. You just have to make minor adjustments. He always asked me to keep things simple when it came to acting.

Please tell us about your upcoming projects.

I’m considering a couple of scripts right now. I’m also a part of a web series, which is soon going to be viral. I’m also doing a play Mr. And Mr. in Mumbai.

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Marathi

Amravati’s Shiv Thakare bags Maharashtra’s ‘Most Desirable Man on TV’ title in 2019

Published

6 years ago

on

January 24, 2020

By

Nation Next Newsroom | Nagpur
Shiv Thakare

Amravati based choreographer who rose to fame after winning the second season of Bigg Boss Marathi – Shiv Thakare popularly known as aapla manus secured the top spot in the list of Maharashtra’s Most Desirable Man on television for the year 2019. While speaking to Nation Next about his achievement, Shiv Thakare narrated his entire journey from doing choreography to participating in reality shows and relocating to Mumbai.

Shiv Thakare

When asked how does it feel, an elated Shiv in Marathi said, “Ekdam badhiya waatat aahe! (I’m feeling great). Till few years, I wasn’t even included in the nominations of the competition and this time I was not just nominated but topped list. I think it’s entirely because of the love and faith of my fans in me. Also, one should have faith in God and work towards achieving their goal.”

The 30-year-old had worked for and performed in several reality shows apart from Bigg Boss Marathi, Dam Dama Dam (dance reality show) and Roadies, was always intrigued by dancing hence he started his career as a choreographer in his early twenties by training school students in his hometown.

Gradually, Thakare started his dance academy ‘Royal Group Shiv Dance Studio? and later participated and even won Dam Dama Dam on Doordarshan. At 24, after completing his polytechnic and graduation degree in engineering (Information Technology) from Raisoni College in Amravati, he relocated to Mumbai and joined Anupam Kher’s acting school ‘Actor Prepares – The School for Actors.’

Also read: 1 dead, 4 injured after clash over ?favourite song? at Nagpur wedding

In Mumbai, he started giving auditions for reality shows and films. Shiv finally came in limelight after he got selected in a reality show called ‘Roadies Rising 10’ where in he was a part of Rannvijay Singh’s team. Finally, he climbed the ladder of success and shot to fame after winning the second season of popular reality show ‘Bigg Boss Marathi.’

Speaking about his future plans, Shiv said, My fans and I are currently waiting for a big budget film so that I can have a grand entry in Bollywood. I am also trying tooth and nail to participate in Khatron Ke Khiladi and if I get selected, I would rock it for sure.

He added, I would like to work with Salman Bhai (Salman Khan) as his philanthropy has always fascinated me. I also want to work with Kangana Ranaut and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

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Marathi

Actors Rohini Hattangadi, Bharat Ganeshpure unveil Once More? music album in Nagpur

Published

6 years ago

on

July 16, 2019

By

Nisha Hirani | Nagpur
Actors Rohini Hattangadi and Bharat Ganeshpure unveiled music album for their Marathi film - Once More - at an event organised in Nagpur.
From left: Naresh Bdikar, Rohini Hattangadi, Bharat Ganeshpure and Vishnu Manohar at the music launch of the Marathi film ‘Once More’ held at Vishnuji Ki Rasoi in Nagpur. (Photo by: Bhavesh Mahalle)

Veteran actress Rohini Hattangadi and popular Marathi actor Bharat Ganeshpure along with filmmaker Naresh Bidkar and celebrity chef and actor Vishnu Manohar  unveiled the music album of their upcoming Marathi film Once More? at an event organised on July 13 at Vishnuji Ki Rasoi in Nagpur.

The music of the film has been composed by music composer Shailendra Barve and the lyrics have been written by Shweta Bidkar, who has also written the screenplay and dialogues for the film.

Interestingly, this is probably the first time that VFX have been used to a great extent in a Marathi film. Naresh Bdikar while speaking during the music launch informed that at least 40% of the movie has VFX technology. The movie will also mark the debut of famous music composer Ashok Patkis son Ashutosh Patki and actress Dhanashree Dalvi. It is also the debut film of celebrity chef Vishnu Manohar.

Once More? is a movie, which showcases the lives of the characters in the movie in different eras. Most of the actors in the movie will be seen playing double roles. Also, Rohini Hattangadi, along with playing the role of a queen, will also be playing the role of an elderly man. Hattangadi, went through grueling prosthetic make up process during the shoot of the film, for her transformation into a man. She is completely unrecognizable as the elderly man in the teaser of the film.

Once More, which will be released in August 1, 2019, is directed by Naresh Bidkar and has been produced by Dhanashree Vinod Patil, Suhas Jahagirdar, Nilesh Lawande, Vishnu Manohar and Dr Bandiwdekar.

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Marathi

Popular Nagpur chef Vishnu Manohar to star in Marathi movie Once More?

Published

6 years ago

on

July 10, 2019

By

Amar Ashok Jajoo | Nagpur
Nagpur's popular chef Vishnu Manohar will soon be seen playing a double role in the upcoming Marathi movie Once More directed by Naresh Bidkar.
Vishnu Manohar at the special screening of the Marathi film ‘Bucket List’ at K Sera Sera Miniplex in Nagpur (File Photo: Nation Next)

Nagpur’s popular chef Vishnu Manohar, who has been part of several cookery shows on television, will soon be seen playing a double role in the upcoming Marathi movie Once More directed by Naresh Bidkar. Manohar, who has always been passionate about acting, will be making his film debut with the movie.

Speaking to Nation Next, Manohar said, It feels great to be part of Once More. I will be playing roles of a king and a chef. It was fun shooting for the movie. Veteran actors Rohini Hattangadi and Bharat Ganeshpure also star in the movie in lead roles.

Speaking about working with these actors, Manohar said, Rohiniji and I have been judging a cookery show Kitchen Queen? for some years now. So, I share a very cordial relationship with her. It was great acting besides her. Shes very humble. And Bharat, he has been my friend for many years. So, it was great working with him as well.

Marathi movie Once More is scheduled to release on August 1, 2019.

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