Years ago, the superhit marathi movie ‘Sarja’ marked the rise of a star. Ajinkya Deo, the tall dark and handsome youth captured the audience with his acting skills and looks. Later on he tasted success with hits like ‘Maaherachi Sadi’, ‘Sarakaarnama’. Though his stint with Hindi movie industry was not much successful, marathi movie goers have not forgotten him yet.

After a long period of absence, Ajinkya is back with his home production ‘Vasudev Balwant Phadake’. MMW gets up and close with Ajinkya.
After staying away from the movie industry for so long, what prompted you to do this film?
This movie is my Father’s dream which he has been cherishing for the past 9 years. It took so long because there was not much information available on Vasudev Balvant Phadke. It seems that the name has faded into oblivion. It was really saddening to find so less about this foremost warrior in the annals of freedom fight.
`My father was sad to see the deeds of Vasudev Balvant Phadake going unnoticed in the histroy. He really felt that the freedom fighter should get his due. Being from the movie industry, he felt that there could not be a better way than making a movie. This movie is not produced with intentions of making money, this is to pass on the legend of Vasudev Balvant Phadake to everyone.
So what are your experiences about producing the movie?
When we deicide to produce the movie, there was hardly any inforamtion avaialble. we got much information from the court proceedings of case against vasudev balvant phadke. besides, the director Gajendra Ahire has done his MA in history, so that helped a lot.
This is the first marathi movie shot in Rajsthan. We had to work in the early morning to avoid the intense heat. The entire team got full supporters and the whole experience was amazing.

Any special preparations for the role of Vasude Balvant Phadake.
I am director’s actor. I have tried to convey whatever I have learned about the character. I have tried to gather as much information as possible. I think that it’s important to identify with the character that you are going to play. And I have done just that. Gajendra was a lot help. He made me forget myself and think as Vasudev Phadke. We have also taken lots of efforts on my look.

VasudevBalwantPhadake
Comedy movies are in today well and yet you are venturing with an Historical epic. Moreover, there is no audience for marathi movies today. What do you have to say about that?
It’s true that there is not much audience for marathi movies these days. The poor production values are to be blamed for that. There is hardly any thought given to the publicity of the movie. Most of the producers finish the movie and release it without any publicity whatsoever. How do you expect the audience to watch a movie if they never know when a movie is released. I think that all the producers should think about the presentation and publicity and try to attract as much viewers as possible.

The people want something new and its our duty to fulfill their expectations. We should learn from the hindi movie industry about promoting a movie.

Will you compare Vasudev Balvant Phadke with ‘The Rising’?
The rising was a Hindi movie. There have been movies like it in hindi film industry before. But ‘Vasudev Balvant Phadake’ is the first historical movie of such a grand scale in marathi. Maharashtra government and Pune Municipality have been very helpful to us during the making of this movie.Entire team has worked hard to realise this dream. We hope the audience appreciates our attempt at bringing the legend to the screen.