He is cunning! he is deceitful! he is just a crooked, still he received lots of love from marathi people. His unique style, his voice and his throw of dialogs,no one can forget his villain! Still don’t remember?…okey ! another clue- a black cap, black coat/ jacket and a dhoti, this typical attire and a crafty smile on face, an abusive language…remember his “….cha maayla” ! no doubt still people love to imitate his dialogs!!! Yess he is Nilu Phule! This legendary actor has completed around 40 years in this industry. He had performed in around 138- 140 marathi movies and 12 hindi movies. He had received awards from Maharashtra Govt. consequently in the years 1972, 1973, 1974. He has also got ‘Sahitya Sangit Academy’ award by the hands of President of India and ‘Natyadarpan award for a drama ‘Suryasta’. Lets have talk with him.

Q. When and how did you debut in Marathi film industry?
A. I had started first in folk dramas from our Art group as hobby long back. Later on I entered in professional folk drama ” Katha Akalecha Kandyachi“. We had completed around 2000 shows of ‘Katha….’. In the second part of ‘Katha…..’ I had to perform a role of leader. Anantrao Mane saw my performance and asked me for marathi cinema. Since then never looked back. My first marathi cinema was “Ek Gaav Baara Bhanagadi”. Fortunately this movie created record and I got around 7 marathi movies that year.

Q. Did you deny any role in cinema/ drama in this span of acting? Why?
A. I never denied any role. All the roles were distinctive and with those I was able to communicate different facets of may acting to the audience.

Q. Were there any conspiracy between the nature of Nilu phule and performed role? And what were the effects of your role on your personal life?
A. Never! everybody is not vicious or slanderer in his own life but he need to perform the role of villain…no excuse! And this put to one’s test how he perform the role. One should aim to live the role despite your nature. I would expect people should remember not only me but my roles also and I always take care of it.
Well, I mostly performed negative role and it adversely affected on the people under perception especially women in rural area still think that I m vicious and slanderer by nature, and I like to harass poor people. And that’s why, rural woman whether she is nurse or teacher always kept distance while talking with me.

Q. Which is your most preferred domain for acting…Cinema or drama? Tell me your most favorite cinema.
A. Ofcourse, like an adroit actor I preferred drama . when someone performed best, the discriminating audience appreciate it on the spot. During rehearsal you can have retakes but afterall it depends on the acting you played on the stage. An actor would have to remain alert in this field. No excuse for mistake. You can win the audience only by your acting and once you got refused by the audience, its very difficult to rise up. But no doubt its more challenging to work in drama.

I like marathi movies ‘Samana’, ‘Sinhasan’, ‘Choricha Mamla’, ‘Shapit’, Pudhache pavul’, and marathi drama ‘Suryasta’. I also like my role in ‘katha…..’.

Q. What difference you find in Old marathi and new marathi cinema?
A. Well, the old ones were based on Social, family based stories. But the new marathi cinema is pervading its arena, handling more challenging subjects like ‘Pak Paka Pak’, ‘Dombivali fast’, ‘Shwas’. Marathi cinema soaring high and nominated for Oscar is a sound step towards rejuvenation. Young producer/ directors are trying well.
Marathi drama industry is also handling different subjects like Psychology, addiction, the problems of youngsters, changing status and the effect of status symbol, standard of living , on youngsters , raising demands …these subjects are putting forward by the producers. Marathi audience is also appreciating it.

Q. what steps are taken to receive grant from government for Tamasha/ Lavani?
A. Though responded by audience, Tamasha/ Lavani is still under privileged by people. Leaders are trying to give national and international status for this art. Maharashtra Govt. has acknowledged to give grant for folkdrama/ Tamasha.

Q. Didn’t you ever think about the production before? Which is the most important ingredient for a success of a movie you think?
A. Production/ Direction is the most extravagant part of cinema. One have to spend recklessly in crores. And being an erratic field no one can assure you, how much you get returns as compare to your investment.

Well, Story of the movie is the prime constituent of making of cinema. Then comes the director, who recognize the spark as well as limits of an actor. And getting work done skillfully. Then technical part. No movie will successful without technically soundness. And at last comes the actors, acting in the cinema.

This is a journey of a folk artist to Actor. Don’t you wonder what he is doing now a days? He reads a lot, he like to watch good movies/ dramas. In free time he fosters his hobbies like gardening, social work, working with Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti. This hurricane, who flourished at times, want to spend rest of the life peacefully.