Renowned Marathi actor Dilip Prabhavalkar was recently invited at a function organised by Kitab Khana, a South Mumbai based biggest book store. Addressing a small gathering of special invitees, the versatile actor clad in a simple trouser and shirt, was frank enough while speaking his mind about some of his past characters portrayed by him in Marathi dramas, serials and Films.

“Even after so many decades I, sometimes, am still referred to as ‘Chimanrao’ and this is irritating at times. But, one of my favourite characters is a witch (Chetkin), I played in a children’s play ‘Albatya Galbatya.” confessed Dilip Prabhavalkar. He stressed the importance of voice modulation and make-up, get-up etc . which in his opinion, helped him to bring a lot of characters alive. “I am not a trained actor from NSD or elsewhere and frankly, I never intended to be an actor.” he said.

“Again, a character which is close to my heart is from ‘Chaukat Raja’. Actually, I was to play Smita’s (Talwalkar) husband and Paresh Rawal was to portray that mentally retarded character. Just two days before the start of the shoot, Smita called me and informed that Pareshji is out of the project. And she forced me to play this retarded person’s role. I was scared of the fate of the role and film, as I did not have enough time to prepare for this role. After talking to my doctor friends, referring medical journals, little help from my director, Sanjay Surkar, I finally sailed through. And it was a proud feeling, when I was judged the Best Actor for this role at Maharashtra State Awards.” he concluded.