Like Marathi plays old TV serials also need revival
In the recent past, we have seen many old Marathi plays being revived with new artistes. Sunil Barve‘s Herbarium group tried this experiment of the revival of old hit Marathi plays and they received a very good response, in spite of the higher ticket rates. This clearly indicated that ‘Old is Gold‘ And that too, at a time when new subjects were presented by new drama companies.
Today, when we look at the ongoing TV serials, it is observed that initially, they start well, but after about two months run, most of these serials are dragged with nonconvincing story and screenplay. Gone are the days, when we saw some gripping subjects presented by good writers and directors. Some hit serials of yesteryears were ‘Shwetambara‘, ‘Bandini‘, ‘Abhalmaya‘, ‘Avantika‘, ‘Vadalvaat‘ and so on. They certainly presented some good content to keep the audience of all age group engaged. Why can’t we revive these serials with new artistes. When people love to watch films based on happenings during the 80s and 90s, why not present that period now, for the new generation instead of showing them something nonsense. ?
Biggest award is ‘appreciation from audience’ – Sharad Ponkshe
He is always in a Jovial mood and very supportive on the sets; whether he is shooting for a film or a serial. Sharad Ponkshe who began his acting career as a stage artiste with one act plays while he was studying in Abhinav Kala Mandir school in Bhayender off Mumbai , was very serious about this profession. But, those days acting was not seen as a well paying profession. One needed a job to support self and family. So, like many others, after finishing his 12th followed by a three year specialized Government diploma, he took up a job with BEST. As an employee of BEST, he participated in various competitions and did his first professional play ‘Varun Sagle Sarkhe’ in the year 1989.
For a totally committed actor like Sharad, it was just not possible to stick on to only stage and hence in 1988 he made his debut in a Marathi film ‘De Taali’ while he was a little known actor. He got his first major break in a TV serial through Adhikari Brothers ‘Damini’ in 1997, where he played a Journalist- Uday Karkhanis. This serial was a super hit and went on for 8 years with a record run. It was during this period that Sharad Ponkshe received another big offer to play lead in a Marathi play ‘Mee Nahturam Godse Boltoy’. The launching of this play turned out to be the most memorable moment in his life, as it literally changed his life. He still remembers the date of launch i.e 10th July 1998.
Sharad, who was then used to be on leave without pay in his office, finally decided to quit his job in the year 2000. The journey of a successful actor had begun with the popularity of ‘Nathuram Godse Boltoy’. Sharad was later signed to play the role of a Journalist again; this time a shrewd and cunning Mr. Khandagale in another popular serial ‘Vaadalwaat’.
So effective was his performance as Devram Khandagle, that for three consecutive years he bagged the Zee Puraskar for the best villain, while playing the same role. Isn’t that a biggest hat-trick scored by an actor? It’s surprising that the same actor with another outstanding performance in ‘Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy’ is yet to receive an award.