Tag Archives: Suryachi Pilley

Sunil Barve
Interviews

Sunil Barve- An institution in himself

Aside

“The World has the habit of making room for the man whose actions show that he knows where he is going.” For Sunil Barve, his actions at the most appropriate time, showed him the way.  After graduation in Science, like any other youngster, he too took up a job of a Medical Representative with US Vitamins in Mumbai and moved from one doctor to other followed by a visit to a chemist on a daily basis. But, after taking his first salary, he quit his job and focused his attention on acting. Performing on stage became his passion. He found his Guru in Vinay Apte and by getting inspiration from his idol Vikram Gokhale, he soon found his place in various drama groups.
Sunil Barve
Those days, he had an opportunity to work with versatile actresses like Bhakti Barve and Vandana Gupte. There were others like Ashok Saraf, Laxmikant Berde, Dilip Kulkarni, Vijay Chavan with whom he shared the stage and people like Mohan Joshi and Sudhir Joshi from whom he gained a lot of experience in the serials. Those days, Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorum campus Katta used to be his meeting place with other colleagues.

After getting the required theatre experience, there was no stopping for him to enter into films and serials and soon Sunil Barve became a leading hero of the films. Having performed with past heroines of 80s and 90s, today he is equally comfortable playing leading man against the newcomers like Rujuta Deshmukh and Mrumayee Deshpande.

Sunil Barve has just completed 25 years in acting profession and to celebrate this occasion, he decided to attempt an experiment by offering something different to the audience , in the form of revival of 5 old plays with new star cast. Naming this experiment suitably as ‘Herberium’ he re-launched ‘Suryachi Pilley’ an old hit drama of yesteryears , with a big team of today’s popular artistes. ‘Suryachi Pilley’ will have only 25 limited shows, as announced earlier, followed by other four plays to follow in order, within a year’s time. The shows are running full house, in spite of higher ticket rates. MMW caught up with Sunil Barve, who spoke about his past and present experiences.

MMW : Congratulations! On your attaining 25 years in acting field.
S.B. : Thanks.

MMW: We have heard about your new experiment in the name of ‘Herberium‘.What is it all about ?
S.B.: I just thought that I should attempt at something different by reviving some old hit plays and inviting today’s popular stars to perform in it. I began with ‘Suryachi Pilley’ with only 25 limited shows followed by 4 more plays to be presented one after the other during the period of one year. I am glad that ‘Suryachi Pilley’ has received a good response with house full shows so far.

MMW: But, the critics are up in arms against your high ticket rates. How do you react to this situation ?
S.B.: Yes, that was unforeseen! I am taken aback. I don’t know why few of them are reacting in this manner, when the audience response has been good. My intention has been good. It is not with the motive of making profits. We have a big star cast and limited shows. But, I am sure, by the end of the year they too will appreciate my effort.

MMW: How are you going to present the other four plays following ‘Suryachi Pilley’ ?
S.B. : That’s a surprise! You will come to know about them one after the other. The moment ‘Suryachi Pilley’ will reach its 25th show, the next will get ready with its first show and so on. I am sure, the audience will appreciate the other plays too.

MMW : Are you keeping a record of number of films, serials and dramas you have done so far ? If so, could you please tell us the figures ?
S.B. : No, I don’t keep the record. May be , I have performed in 17-18 Marathi films and few Hindi films, some serials and a sizable number of plays.

MMW: Yes, we remember having seen you in some of Mahesh Manjrekar’s films? How was your experience in Bollywood ?
S.B. : Those were not only Mahesh Manjrekar’s films . I have also performed in films of Paresh Kamdar and Priyadarshan. It was a pleasure working in a film like ‘Mere Baap Pehle Aap’ and ‘Astitva’.

MMW: You have also played a lead opposite versatile actress like Tabbu. How was your experience with her ?
S.B. : Tabbu is a wonderful person and a fantastic actress to work with. She used to be very friendly and at ease during the shoot. She still remains a good friend.

MMW: On your own website, you have admired two people from Marathi film industry- Mr. Vinay Apte and Mr. Vikram Gokahle . Could you please elaborate about your relationship with them ?
S.B. : Vinay Apte is my Guru in this profession. He is the one, who gave me my first break and he still continues to remain my guru. I consider Vikram Gokhale as my idol. He is the one, who inspired me to take up acting. I remember having seen some of his old plays with a lot of enthusiasm during my college days. It was a great moment for me, when I got an opportunity to work with him. What a performance he has given in ‘Nakalat Sare Ghadle’. Worth saluting! . Both Vinay Apte and Vikram Gokhale are best artistes I have ever seen.

MMW: How do you look at the present day Marathi cinema ?
S.B. : It has brought in a lot of change with new audience. Some of the traditional movies still continue, but we don’t see their release in a city like Mumbai. Now, you have a new multiplex audience here, who prefer a variety with a difference. And, it is a welcome change.

MMW: How do you propose to begin your second innings? Do you plan to shift to direction ?
S.B. : Yes, I am interested in direction. Besides acting, if I get an opportunity to direct a film, surely, I will take it up.

Atisha Naik, Supriya Pathare, Actress
Interviews

Atisha and Supriya – The bad women on small screen, with good heart

Aside

Atisha Naik and Supriya Pathare are known faces on small screen for their negative roles. One doesn’t know, how many housewives totally engrossed in their serials must be cursing them; but, in real life, both of them are fun loving and cheerful women. Marathi Movie world, spoke to both of them simultaneously, a little before an award function in Mumbai, recently. At present, both of them are performing together in an old revived Marathi stage play ‘Varyavarchi Varaat’ and hence were seen together, in a jovial mood sharing their experiences.

Atisha Naik, Supriya Pathare, ActressAtisha Naik, Supriya Pathare Atisha has been in the field of acting since she was 8 years old, when she made her debut in a Marathi play ‘Good Bye Doctor’ as a child artiste. Later, she performed on stage and made her film debut with Mahesh Manjrekar’s Hindi film ‘Pran Jaye Par Vachan na Jaye’. Recently, we saw her playing an important role of a lady Sarpanch, in national award winning film ‘Deool’. With her acting skills and perfect body language, Atisha did invite attention of the audience.

At present, Atisha is also performing in one more Marathi play ‘Suryachi Pilley’; but her role as a cunning Mother in law in Marathi TV serial ‘Pudhcha Paul’, has exploited her potential. Now, instead of being typecast, Atisha is playing an important role in Amol Palekar’s forthcoming humour filled film, ‘We are on, Aata Houn Jaoo De.’ Atisha refuses to speak much about her role and film’s theme, as she wants to maintain the secrecy about it. “But, it’s a kind of role, that I really enjoyed playing,” she said.

For Supriya Pathare, it has been a struggle to reach the position, she has attained now. Sixteen years ago, she used to perform dramas on stage along with her group, during the Ganapati festivals in Mumbai, till she joined Vaman Kendre’s group and performed in ‘Teen Paishacha tamasha’. Born and brought up in Mumbai, she then lived in Dongri area of Mumbai. Those days, she even joined dance classes, to enable her to present her part well. ‘Darling Darling’ was her first commercial play. Being the sister of Ms. Anjali Nevrekar, of Sanskruti Kaladarpan Group, enabled her to begin her acting career professionally.

Her debut TV serial was ‘Kulvadhu’ in which she played a negative role of a selfish step mother, followed by negative roles in serials like ‘Mann Udhaan Varyache’ & ‘Pinjara’. These performances brought her into limelight; but, it was her performance in Zee Marathi’s reality show ‘Fu Bai Fu’ brought her name and fame. No wonder, she was offered a cameo in recently released film ‘No Entry Pudhe dhoka aahe’.

“On many occasions in the past chapters of ‘Fu Bai Fu’’ I was rejected. They really had a doubt, whether an actress like me, who was typecast in negative roles, would be able to deliver comedy scenes? But, when finally I got a chance, I proved that I could create laughter. Whatever recognition I have received today, is all because of ‘Fu Bai Fu’.” she concluded.