Marathi film industry can count very few dashing and dynamic heroes and one of them is Aniket Vishwasrao. No wonder, during the recent Maharashtracha Favorite Kaun? awards, he was adjudged as the Best Style icon of the year. For the past few years, Aniket has made his presence felt through few TV serials and movies. It was his bad luck that when his solo hero film ‘Rang Berangi’ was released, it was the scare of Swine flu, which prevented audience from coming to theatres. But, Aniket had his best time, when he almost rocked with his role in Mahesh Manjrekar’s big banner multistarer film ‘Fakta Ladh Mhana’, which was directed by well known Cinematograher Sanjay Jadhav.

As a schoolboy from Dahisar, Aniket took active interest in dramatics while he studied in St. Francis High School, Borivali. But, when Aniket joined M.L. Dahanukar College, Vile Parle, his real journey into acting field began. He participated in competitions doing one act plays and even won an award for best performance. It was during his second year in college, he was selected for an important role in a Marathi play ‘Nakalat Saare Ghadale’ starring two versatile actors like Vikram Gokhale and Savita Prabhune. Things changed thereafter for Aniket, who made up his mind to turn professional actor and make a serious career in acting.

With his appearance in debut TV serial ‘Oon Paus’, Aniket came into limelight and thereafter, there was no stopping for him. Playing a very important role in his next serial ‘Kalat Nakalat’ increased his confidence and Aniket was soon a recognized hero in Marathi entertainment industry. As a hero in 2008, he had done a film ‘Guilty’ which was his second film with Kumar Sohani. But, Aniket’s real test was in a Hindi feature film ‘Hava Aane Do’ made by Partho Sen Gupta, where he performed a parallel hero with Nishikant Kamat opposite Tanishtha Chatterjee and Rajashree Thakur. The film was acclaimed at various film festivals abroad, but could not be released in India, due to Censor problem. The film was shot on the backdrop of India-Pakistan war, when the two youths almost get ready to work abroad after a long struggle.

A perfect gentleman, maintaining good PR with people around him, Aniket spoke to Marathi Movie World. Excerpts from an interview:

Q: For a youngster who studied from a convent school, was that easy to perform in Marathi initially ?
A: I didn’t have any problem, as in our house we conversed daily in Marathi and I always respected our culture, by reading and watching Marathi newspapers and TV programmes.

Q: When did Aniket Vishwasrao actually came into limelight as an actor?
A: I think, it was after ‘Oon Paus’ that I received the recognition as an actor.

Q: But, your film debut was through ‘Havaa Aane Do’( Let the wind blow) a feature film? What was the role you played in this film ?
A: I played a protagonist. It was a very good film about directionless youth influenced by foreign culture. When they decide to finally settle down in their lives, the Indo-pak war breaks out. The film had problems with censor, but received applause at various international festivals abroad.

Q: You also had a very good solo hero role in ‘Rang Berangi’. Don’t you regret that the film was released at a wrong time ?
A: Yes, it was our bad luck that during that period, there was a big scare of swine flu and people kept themselves away from theatres. In this film, I had a good role, suited to me. But, never mind. I had another opportunity through ‘Fakta Ladh Mhana’ a big banner film. And, I did receive the compliments from well wishers.

Q: When we saw you winning the Style icon award at the Maharashtracha Favorite Kaun? ceremony, you also invited other nominees to share the award with you. Are friends so important to you ?
A: Yes, though they were nominated along with me, they are very good friends and artistes. I felt that they too deserved that award and hence the gesture.

Q: Do you have real friends in this entertainment industry? How do you find time for them ?
A: Yes, I do have friends in this entertainment industry. Santosh is one of them. He is a common friend of some of my friends since my college days. We do find time sometimes.

Q: Now, that you and Pallavi are close friends for the past 4-5 years, when do you intend to get married ?
A: Not very soon. We need some more time for that.

Q: Who inspired you to take up this acting career ?
A: There are many people, but I cannot forget Hrishikesh Joshi, Mr. Sudhir Bhatt, who gave me my first break into Marathi drama and Mr. Vikram Gokhale from whom I learned the initial lessons of acting.

Q: Any forthcoming projects ?
A: Yes, I am eagerly awaiting for my film ‘Tendulkar Out!’ This film may be released by December end or in January 2012.