Tag Archives: Sushant Shelar

Sushant Shelar
Interviews

“My struggle is still going on” – Sushant Shelar

Aside

Sushant Shelar has been in the field of acting, since his school days. So, among the youngsters of today’s Marathi entertainment industry, he has acquired considerable experience, for the past twenty years. He did his first commercial play in 1992, when he was in 7th standard. The very next year, he made his debut as a child artiste in a film and a TV serial ‘Mayur Pankh’ .

Till now, Sushant has won best supporting actor award for his film ‘Picnic’. Marathi Movie world spoke to this talented actor. Excerpts from an interview.
Q: We understand that you have gone through a lot of struggle in your field. Any memories of the past happenings?
A: Actually, I enjoyed that period. Surviving the days on Vada Paav …. even today, when I recollect this period ,I feel happy. And, I am sure, many like me, have gone through this stage.Sushant Shelar
Q: Watching you perform variety of roles today, in films; don’t you feel that in spite of possessing talent, it took a long time for you to establish yourself? A: There is nothing like that. Actually, even today, my struggle in going on.

Q: According to you, what is the reason for success of ‘Duniyadari’ ?
A: First of all, I would like to mention about the writer of the novel Suhas Shirwalkar. Thereafter, the credit goes to the team of ‘Duniyadari’ . During the making of this film, there was an inner feeling amongst all of us that this film would become super hit.

Q:Now, you are also there in late Rajiv Patil’s forthcoming film ‘Vanshavel’. What’s your reaction?
 A: Rajiv was a very good friend. I had earlier worked with him for the film ‘Blind Game’. I feel that I was fortunate to get another chance to work with a director like him. I am sure, ‘Vanshavel’ would also attain grand success.

Q: Can you please tell us something about this film.
 A: Today, we are missing the joint family system. Therefore, those who have separated from the Joint family, if they go and watch this film, they will certainly be inspired to join back with their original joint family system. So much will be the impact of this film. The tagline of the film speaks everything. i.e. ‘If the family survives, the nation will survive.’

Q: And, what about your role ?
A: I am playing an important main character of a Doctor, who is very much influenced by his father, who takes all the decisions in the family. But, one day, when his own wife deserts him, he suffers. When a woman walks out of the life of a man, the vacuum created thereafter in his life, is all that this film talks about.

Q. Recently, you were also seen on stage. Why did you stop doing theatre?
A: I have not stopped. Actually, I am planning to perform in a new play. But, recently, due to preparations for MICTA,I could not find time and hence it is postponed. With my association with Maharashtra Kalanidhhi I was totally occupied with the event along with Mahesh Manjrekar. Even otherwise, I am associated with Natya Parishad activities as their active member.

Q: Do you consider anyone as your idol in this acting field ?
 A: There is no one in particular. I like to learn from all of them. Because, there is something to learn from each one of the, But, my favourite actor is Mr. Amitabh Bachchan.

Q: What do you think about the taste of today’s audience?
 A: Today, people like to have a complete package, which was offered by ‘Duniyadari’. There was a love story, action, drama and good music; offering total entertainment. In Marathi films, people also need a good story. Therefore, a film like ‘Grand Masti’ will never work in Marathi.

Review

‘Matter’ of facts

Matter Marathi Movie
Rating: na
Producer: Poonam Shende
Director: Satish Motling
Story: Atmaram Dharne
Screenplay: Atmaram Dharne
Cinematographer: Satish Motling
Music: Abhijeet Rameshrao Kawthalkar
Cast: Jitendra Joshi, Santosh Juvekar, Sushant Shelar, Rajesh Shringarpure, Sameer Dharmadhikari, Usha Nadkarni, Minal Ghorpade, Surekha Kudachi, Megha Dhade, Yogini Cho
Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Well, we all know that there was a time when Underworld almost ruled Mumbai and that enabled the terrorists to strike the dream city during early 1993. But, after that many underworld dons have gone underground, some of them killed in rival gang firing, while others were killed in Police encounters. New Marathi film ‘Matter’ throws light on such underworld operations in Mumbai during that period and how they influenced the unemployed youth, who were either in remand homes or jail.

Director Satish Motling presents four young friends Pakya, Babya, Raja and Rony ( played by Santosh Juvekar, Jitendra Joshi, Sushant Shelar and Rajesh Shringarpure) and the happenings in their individual life, through his film ‘Matter’, which is an action packed drama on the backdrop of corrupt politicians and their nexus with the underworld. The image of Police is however shown clean, but it is shown that even they play their tricks when the time comes to eliminate the most corrupt politician and the underworld dons, with a slogan ‘Mumbai Saaf toh Sau Gunhe Maaf’.

So, you find a ATS Chief Vikramm Pradhan (Sameer Dharmadhikari) doing this thankless job to achieve his motto. Sulbhatai (Usha Nadkarni) who is in power in the state uses both the underworld gangs for her own benefit. So, the ATS chief implements his plans after the death of his superior. But, even if you cut the roots, there is no complete end to crime. The operators, who are lucky to escape, take shelter in some other country to operate their business in Mumbai. There is a character of Maxi (Minal Ghorpade), a girl living in a chawl, in silent love with Babya. In most of the scenes, she keeps on giving the same smile and looks to her favorite boy and suddenly reacts, when he admits his love. Having known his background, she finally marries Babya, much against the wish of her parents.

Pakya (Santiosh Juvekar), falls in love with ATS chief’s sister (Yogini Chouk), when he saves her life from the custody of his Don, as she is picked up on mistaken identity. Rony (Rajesh Shrigarpure) is in love with a bar dancer (Megha Dhade) and Raja (Sushant
Shelar) who is offered shelter by a woman, active in gambling business (Surekha Kudachi) is shown more focused on his work and is self centred. He is shown as the most shrewd gangster, who gets his reward at the end.

Matter Review
Sushant Shelar for the first time has a prominent role. Till now, in spite of being a talented actor, he never had an opportunity to prove his mettle. But, this film would certainly fetch him better roles in films. The other three heroes – Rajesh Shrigarpure, Jitendra Joshi and Santosh Juvekar are at their best, but there are no suitable dialogues offered to them to create greater impact. Pakya utters the same slang on more than a dozen occasions. The villain Bala instead of uttering much, keeps on tilting his neck to make the cracking sound repeatedly. The conversation among the four friends does not create the desired effect, as it should have been otherwise. However, Usha Nadkarni in her own style has tried to make her presence felt, as a selfish politician. Sameer Dharmadhikari is good, but he doesn’t have much scope.

In the film, the female characters do not have much of importance, being a male dominated film. However, Yogini Chouk and Megha Dhade have tried to give their best through those few scenes to their credit. There are few other artistes like Javed Hyder, Anita Vishwasrao, Digvijay Rohidas, Ashok Kulkarni, Mahesh Kokate, Narayan Jadhav, Deepak Vetkar and Jitendra Awhad playing different characters. There is no doubt about the excellent cinematography by the director himself; but, the more than required songs on the same item style, diverts the attention of the audience from the ongoing screenplay. Some of the scenes have been unnecessarily extended, like the gang wars, the wedding scene of Maxi, the police torture and those slow motion effects used on few occasions.

‘Matter’ is otherwise a true presentation of facts about the happenings in the lives of people associated with the underworld and corrupt practices. At the end of the film, the sensible audience is convinced that the director hasn’t glorified the underworld, like the way Bollywood films do. He has been realistic in his approach, barring few scenes. ‘Matter’ can be called an action film, filled with violence and rough language; and those who love to watch such films, shouldn’t miss it. For others, it is just another film on gangsters in Mumbai and their lifestyle.