Tag Archives: Lagnabambaal

Rahul Mehendale
Interviews

“I am comfortable with all the three areas of acting” – Rahul Mehendale

Aside

It has been a long time, since he has been associated with Marathi stage. But, very few well wishers have really tapped his talent in TV serials and films. Now, when he has stepped in as a lead hero in ongoing popular Marathi drama ‘Lagnabambaal’, as a replacement to Subodh Bhave, he has suddenly shot into limelight.

Marathi Movie world spoke to this passionate actor Rahul Mehendale. Excerpts from an interview:

Rahul MehendaleQ: How did you begin your career ?
A: Being a student of Parle Tilak Vidyalay and Parle College, I was passionate about Marathi dramas. First, I started as assistant director to Mr. Vinay Apte and later did editing job, before switching over to acting. My acting debut in a commercial play was in 1992 with ‘Priya Aai’ where I performed with Bal Dhuri, Janhavi Panshikar and Rahul Awasthi.

Q: This means you have completed 20 years in your acting career .
A: Yes, this year, I have completed 20 years of my acting profession.

Q: What were the other popular projects, that followed ?
A: After ‘Priya Aai’, I did ‘Mee Majhya Mulancha’ and ‘Barrister’ .

Q: Tell us something about your entry into TV serials.
A: When I began doing TV serials, it was only Doordarshan channel for Marathi serials. And, I made my debut through ‘Bokya Satbande’. Thereafter, I performed in many TV serials.

Q: And, what about roles in films?
A: Actually, my first film was in Hindi- ‘Encounter – The killing’. Thereafter in Marathi, I performed in films like ‘Sunder Majhe Ghar’, ‘Checkmate’, ‘Picnic’ etc.

Q: Now, we find you back on stage.
A: Yes, now I am doing 2 plays ‘Lagnabambal’ and ‘Lagnachi Bedi’. In ‘Lagnabambal’, I entered during the 70th show and till now we have done 85 shows. I had not performed with Madhura and Anand before. And hence, it was a good opportunity to work with them. We form a very good team and I am enjoying every moment in their company. Speaking about the recently launched ‘Lagnachi Bedi’, I would say that it is a revival of old hit Marathi play written by Acharya Atre. I am playing a negative character of Timir, which was earlier performed by renowned actors like Ramesh Bhatkar and Sanjay Mone.

Q: How do you manage your schedule with two ongoing plays simultaneously ?
A: In our Marathi entertainment industry, right from the producer to actor, everybody tries to manage time. Therefore, making adjustment is no problem.

Q: What else, besides these two plays ?
A: I am playing lead role in a forthcoming marathi film ‘Lathi’, shooting of which is nearing completion. Unfortunately, due to sad demise of our director Sanjay Surkar, the shooting is held up for the time being. I am not doing serials at the moment. But, would certainly consider good roles in Films and dramas.

Q: You have worked in all the three areas of acting, i.e. Drama, TV serials and Films. Where are you more comfortable ?
A; I am comfortable with all the three areas of acting, as I was close to each one of them.

Interviews

Anand Ingale – an actor par excellence

Whether it was performing at the inter -collegiate competitions in Pune while studying in Modern College and Symbiosis Institute or at the experimental theatre while with Groups like Parichay and GRIPS and later on the sets of a TV serial or a reality show; Anand Ingale has always been serious about his role. It did not matter for him what character he played; but it was always important for him to come prepared with his home work and be at ease during the take before the camera or live performance on stage. His dedication and sincerity to this profession has brought him total satisfaction today.

Anand Ingale, Actor
Anand is actually an actor by choice, who gets totally engrossed into his role with his authoritative voice, required diction and suitable body language. It all comes together very spontaneously and with ease supported by his enthusiasm. His alertness and concentration while at work, adds further zest to the character, he portrays every occasion. All that he needs is an equally good support from his co -stars. If that happens, it’s indeed a great pleasure to watch Anand Ingale. Only those directors, who know his potential, have succeeded in extracting the best out of him. Even otherwise, he is an actor par excellence.

Watching his latest performance in ‘Lagnabambaal’ certainly makes you think about his passion for acting. Watch his timing, his body language and his spontaneity in that role of Valmiki Satpute;
and he will not disappoint you with this memorable performance. Anand had already given a glimpse of his ability through Popular reality show ‘Fu Bai Fu’, where he had ample scope to prove his mettle. ” ‘Fu Bai Fu’ was the best platform I received to use my skills in comedy and at the same time to understand the pulse of the audience,” he admits.

anand-ingale-pic

Anand, actually came into limelight 6 years ago, when he performed in a Marathi play ‘Makadachya Haati Champagne'; but prior to that he had done a serial ‘Prapanch’ where his role of Mangya still remains fresh in the memory of Marathi TV serial lovers. Anand is now happy to see a film being made on ‘Makadachya Haati Champagne’ with the same title. He is also part of the film, along with Pushkar Shroti, Upendra Limaye, Mukta Barve and others. “Director Satish Rajwade and the writer have changed the screenplay of this film to suit in the cinematic format. It was a wonderful experience to be part of this film too,” he says. The film is in post production stage and will be released before end of this year.

Talking about his role of Valmiki in the play ‘Lagnabambaal’, Anand says that it was a call coming on 15th August of this year from director Vijay Kenkre. I didn’t even ask him, what role I was playing, as he is one such person, in whom I have complete faith. There are other people like him, to name a few, Mr. Shrirang Godbole (My Guide), Pratima Kulkarni (with whom I worked on good projects) and of course Sanjay Mone. I just can’t say ‘no’ to them. They are all wonderful people and I like their company. I really admire them for their qualities.

Anand seems to be happy with whatever he has to his share in this competitive world. “God has given me limited but good projects. My TV assignments, be it ‘Kunku’ or ‘Fu Bai Fu’ did help me to move ahead in my acting career; but, I still had the guts to say ‘no’ to certain offers, because of prior commitments. I have learnt this through my experience in this field and in the company of good friends, for the past several years,” he adds.

Simple, courteous and always cheerful with his strong physique ; Anad has gathered around him many well wishers, who are all praise for his acting skills. Besides ‘Makdachya Haati Champagne’, he has two more films due for release shortly. ‘Uchala Re Uchala’ is a full time pass comedy, where he and Vaibhav Magale play the lead pair and then there is also a sensible film ‘Paulvaat’ directed by Aaditya Ingale; where he plays a 55 year old important character, in the company of his ‘Lagnabambaal’ co- stars Subodh Bhave and Madhura Velankar Satam. Those who have seen this trio perform together in ‘Lagnabambaal’ will surely love to watch them together again in this forthcoming film.