“Playing a vegetable vendor is a more challenging act.” – Smita Talwalkar

Shweta Khot — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:31:22 +0000

Smita Talwalkar has contributed a lot to the Marathi movie world, television and stage with her choice of socially relevant subjects and with her ability to convey a message. Her own films like ‘Chaukat Raja’, ‘Savat Majhi Ladki’, ‘Tu Tithe Mee’ and ‘SaatChya Aat Gharat’ went on to say a lot about her concern towards society. Her TV productions ‘Katha Ek Aanandichi’ and ‘Ardhangini’ were also relevant to social issues. At present she is playing a lifetime role in the play ‘Govid Ghya Kuni Gopal Ghya’ depicting a poor lower middle class vegetable vendor fighting for her right. Indeed, Smita Talwalkar is an extraordinary actress with a mission to offer something back to the society where she has earned a name.
MMW met her recently during her stage show. Here she is in chit chat with us.

Q: You have produced good films in the past, what’s new in the making ?
A: Yes, I do have a subject; but I have to still work on it. There is still time.
Q: Do you have to say something about the issues relating to suppression of women?
A: Not much to say at present. But, tell me; even if I decide to present something on that topic, how many women would come forward to willingly accept a girl child. Even today, many women still desire to give birth to a male child. Time has changed and so a woman should also change. Watch my role of Janabai in this play ‘Govind Ghya Kuni Gopal Ghya’. She is illiterate but goes with her conscience when it comes to taking few crucial decisions.

Q: How happy you are playing this character of Janabai ?
A: I am glad that I was offered this role. It is the most challenging role and I enjoy playing Janabai. But, for that I did personally visit Byculla vegetable market to study the body language of those vegetable vendors. Kiran Mane , my co-artiste, helped me to develop on the accent and in just few days time I was ready to enact Janabai .

The post “Playing a vegetable vendor is a more challenging act.” – Smita Talwalkar appeared first on .

‘Sukhaant’ is based on real facts! – Sanjay Surkar

Shweta Khot — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:27:58 +0000

Sanjay Surkar is known for his realistic, hard hitting movies on social problems. His films like ‘Saatchya Aat Gharat’, ‘Aapli Manse’, ‘Chaukat Raja’ etc have been critically lauded. His latest film is ‘Sukhaant’ based on the controversial problem of euthanasia or mercy killing. We spoke to Sanjay about his new film. Here are some excerpts.

How did you think of making a film on euthanasia?
I had been to a friend’s house and he was really troubled by the state of his elderly mother who was comatose for the last eleven years. His predicament really troubled me and I did research on the net regarding euthanasia or mercy killing which is being considered by many lawmakers but still has not been implemented.

Your casting of Jyoti Chandekar as the old paralyzed woman requesting her son Atul Kulkarni for moving court to grant her wish of mercy killing is a powerful performance. How did you manage this?
I didn’t know Jyoti that well nor have I seen her plays or serials or films. But I didn’t need a
star or a known face for the role of the old woman. I needed an actor who would look rustic and speak the rustic lingo. She would come to me from now and then for a role and this time I did offer her the all important role of the paralyzed woman who wants to die with dignity and without troubling her dear ones.

How did you cast Atul Kulkarni as the son grieving for his mother?
I needed a face who is though a lawyer but would look village bred. And Atul Kulkarni is a powerful performer as is the performance in ‘Sukhaant’.

The post ‘Sukhaant’ is based on real facts! – Sanjay Surkar appeared first on .

» Chaukat Raja

“Playing a vegetable vendor is a more challenging act.” – Smita Talwalkar

‘Sukhaant’ is based on real facts! – Sanjay Surkar