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. ?
“Patience is the Key to success” – Mrinal Kulkarni
Mrinal Kulkarni, an eminent actress from the Marathi and Hindi entertainment industry is a rare combination of beauty, talent and brain. Highly qualified, she was fortunate to work simultaneously in Hindi and Marathi, gaining rich experience with genuine appreciation and awards, which speaks volumes for her proficiency in acting.
With good family background- grandfather G. N. Dandekar being a well known writer and father being Principal of Pune’s prestigious S.P. College, Mrinal obviously excelled in academics, besides pursuing her acting career. Having won the S. G.. Malshe scholarship for studies in Literature and Linguistics, she did her Masters in Literature from the University of Pune.
Her rendezvous with dramatics began during her college days; although, she shot into fame after her debut at the young age of 16 through television serial “Swami”. After that Mrinal Kulkarni has never looked back. She was fortunate to work with some of the reputed Producers, Writers and Directors in the industry like, Gajanan Jahgirdar, Ved Rahi, Ravi Rai, Vikas Desai, Sanjay Surkar, Sanjay Khan, Surendra Mohan, Basu Bhattacharya, Jabbar Patel, Kumar Sohoni, Amol Palekar and Gajendra Ahire to name a few.
Mrinal Kulkarni
Mrinal also had the privilege of experimenting with a wide range of characters, with diverse persona, like Ramabai, Meera and Jijamata . Who can forget her brilliant double role in the Marathi film “Jodidar” ? This role had won her two awards in the same year. Always looking forward to challenges, Mrinal has always been comfortable in any role, be it a historical character or a contemporary role with composure. A resolute and genuine performer, her sincerity is reflected in all her characters, which have earned her millions of well wishers.
Marathi Movie World spoke to this gifted talented actress. Excerpts from an interview:
Q: We have seen you as a successful actress over the years. Besides acting, what are your other interests?
A: I am an ardent reader and a hard core mountaineer, who loves to go on trekking. I also love to travel a lot. It is for this purpose, I keep my entire month of May free to be with my family. We plan a long vacation during this time compulsorily, once in a year.
Q: You also happen to be the grand-daughter of Great Marathi writer G. N. Dandekar. Whether you have continued his legacy through writing?
A: Initially I used to write my column ‘Maitrin’ . then I wrote my own book titled ‘Make up Utravlyavar’ – a Samakaleen Publication. At present I am regularly writing my column in Sakal paper under the title ‘Tanishqa’. It is mainly to inspire women from different fields.
Q: You mean, it is necessary for people involved in your profession to spend their vacation once in a year ?
A: At least, I feel so. It refreshes you a lot to be back in action.
Q: Newcomers in the industry look upon you as a role model of fitness. How do you maintain your fitness level ?
A: I do at least one hour workout daily. It could be anything, either exercising in the Gym or walking. But, I don’t miss my workout.
Q: How you have been able to maintain a perfect balance between Hindi and Marathi industry, in your successful career ?
A: According to me, For every artiste, patience is the key for success . I was fortunate to use it well without any selfish motive. And, it has worked well so far. It’s a proven fact.
Q: But, it is said that you were lucky to find good roles. What you have to say about that?
A: I wasn’t lucky. I made my selection of roles. Here again, I would say, I could afford to wait. It is not necessary to be 24 hours or 30 days busy to be successful.
Q: Don’t you think that the title role you played in ‘Avantika’ and the present role of Naina in the ongoing new serial ‘Guntata Hriday Hey’ have striking similarity ?
A: No, not at all. On the contrary, these two are totally contrast roles. Avantika was very bold and reacted quickly at any given situation, whereas Naina is a paranoid and emotional housewife.
Ravindra Mankani – an actor to reckon with
Ravindra Mankani was a name to reckon with during 80s and 90s. As an actor par excellence, he had won several awards for best actor through Marathi dramas and films. Besides Marathi, he had also performed in few Hindi films and was part of almost 12 popular Hindi serials. His sharp looks and perfect body language enabled him to grab attention of the audience even in a short scene. Over the years, Ravindra has kept himself busy with his work, maintaining a low profile in the industry but his creative work couldn’t go unnoticed.
Ravindra was attracted to stage since his school days in Pune, when he won several awards in debating, elocution and acting. Besides studying his Engineering, he also performed on stage for the inter-collegiate drama competitions. He won the best acting prize during the years 1978 and 1979 consecutively, besides winning the Purushottam Karandak for his college in 1979.
Being a Civil Engineer by profession with post graduate diploma in Management, he went on to successfully complete a 2.5 crore project for Maharashtra Housing Area and Development Board in the year 1984. His attachment to stage inspired him to study more about filmmaking areas such as camera, direction and lights. So, he started his own company Rohan’s Eye which now deals in Audio & Video productions. Ravindra has himself directed many corporate films, ad films & product promotion films till date. His company is already into commercial production of audio & video cassettes.
Today, he is the Managing Director of a company Raviraj Publicity Pvt. Ltd, which provides all types of media services for advertising. Besides this, he is also director of an Event Management Company Display Creators Pvt. Ltd, which works from concept to commissioning and above all he is the Chairman of Abhiyan Arts Pvt. Ltd., a total commercial mega level production house of TV serials (Marathi & Hindi) Audio albums besides Film making which was launched in 2001.
Besides his busy schedule in business, Ravindra as an actor continues with his acting and some of his performances in films like ’22nd June 1897′, ‘Nivdung’, ‘Warsa Laxmicha’,’Aastitva’, ‘ Vastupurush’ ,’ Not only Mrs. Raut’, ‘Neetal’, Shewari’and ‘Sawar re’ remind us of his intensity in acting while some of his TV serials like ‘Swami’, ‘Soudamini’, ‘Zale Mokale Aakash’, ‘Pimpalpaan’,’Avantika’, and’Eka Lagnachi Goshta‘, only goes on to speak about the variety of roles he has played with ease.
His association with Hindi TV serials for the past 25 years has also invited attention of people all over India for his memorable performances in ‘Terah Panne’, ‘Shrikant’, ‘Trikaal’, ‘Shanti’, ‘Rishtey (Intezar)’, ‘Sanjeevani’ and ‘Saakshi’. It was a pleasure to watch him even in’C.I.D. Special Bureau’ and ‘Aahaat‘. That goes on to speak about his command over Hindi.
His role in the latest released film ‘Mani Mangalsutra’ clearly indicates his capacity to emote spontaneously in the most difficult scene. Indeed, his character of a schoolmaster in this film will be remembered for years to come.
MMW wishes this talented and creative person a very happy Deepawali and a prosperous new year.