Ever since she made her debut through Amol Palekar’s film ten years ago, Shilpa Navalkar has been in the reckoning in the Marathi entertainment industry. Daughter of a popular Politician and former Minister of Maharashtra Government; Shilpa never thought of entering into politics. An electronics engineer, she preferred to choose acting career, with the support from her kind hearted father, who was himself a multifaceted personality. Shilpa is very much missing her father today, but his ideals have only encouraged her to writing field, besides acting. Marathi Movie world spoke to this talented personality, who recalled most of her memorable moments in life, besides talking about her profession.

Excerpts from an interview:

Q: What made you choose acting, instead of entering politics?
A: Though my father was in politics, there was never political type of atmosphere at home. People say that politicians cannot give time to their family; but my father always had time for us. He was very liberal. Since childhood I was into acting. During my school and college days, I have performed in experimental plays and thereafter entered professional theatre. My father knew very well about my interest in acting and supported me from time to time. That’s how I could enter this profession.

Q: Then how did you turn towards writing ?
A: During the year 2001, I was offered a film ‘Kairee‘ by Amol Palekar and bagged an award for best debutant. Thereafter I did an Indo French film ‘Maaya’. This enabled me to turn to TV serials. While doing ‘Bhagyavidhata‘, I was asked whether I would be able to write dialogues for this serial and I wrote 300 episodes for this serial. Also for ‘Ya Sukhanno Ya’ I had written 600 Episodes. This was a good experience, which opened opportunities for me to write for serials like ‘Mrugajal’, ‘Kulvadhu’ and ‘Bandh Reshmache’.

Q: What you exactly intend to do now? Acting or writing ?
A: Both the interests are very close to me. When I am on the sets, I think about acting and nothing else. But, when I find free time from acting, I concentrate on my writing. In short, I am giving equal importance to both.

Q: Any particular person, who inspired you in your life ?
A: My father shall always remain an ideal before me. Though he was into active politics, he never neglected his domestic responsibilities. He always used to say, “If you decide to achieve something, it is possible; and to make it possible, you need to work very hard.”

Q: Do you have any fond memories about your father ?
A: There are so many memorable moments and it’s not possible to narrate them all. But, few are still fresh in my memory. My father being a politician, was a family man first. The time a person doing 10-6 job gives to his family, the same time my father had for his family. He never brought his political work at home. I still recollect those moments, when he used to take us for outing, be it shopping or eating out together. There was not a single occasion, when he gave us time and backed out at the last minute. While shopping, though my mother used to remind us about the cost, my father never compromised on the price, after selection.

As regards maintaining discipline, there was full freedom for our activities. Before leaving the house, we only had to inform where we were going and what time we would be back, as there were no cell phones those days. There was a time when I used to spend extra time in delayed rehearsals of experimental plays, but it was all understood. Those days, not many people could digest experimental plays, but my father saw all my plays and appreciated them.

Q: tell us something about your family ?
A: Myself and my husband Hrishi Deshpande are in the same field. We have a ten year old daughter. Both of us started an ad agency Aadyot ad films. In fact, my husband has also directed one film ‘Jinki Re Jinki’

Q: But, how do you manage your busy schedule ?
A: This is possible because of my mother-in-law, who helps me a lot to shoulder some of my responsibilities at home front; especially looking after my daughter.

Q: How do you look at the woman of 21st century ?
A: The woman of 21st century is no different than woman of 20th century. Even during the olden days, the woman had to turn strong according to situations.

Q: What are your future plans ?
A: At present, I am working on a script for a film. It’s a thriller titled ‘Heads Ki Tails’. I am required to complete this assignment before February 2012. Side by side I am doing my acting assignments.