Sayaji Shinde might have started off with Marathi films, but today is a familiar name in the South Indian film industry with over 200 Telugu and Tamil films to his credit.
After a ten year gap, he is all set to return to Marathi films with Zee Talkies’ Gallit Gondhal, Dillit Mujra, (Chaos in the street, mujra in Delhi).
“My four friends and I decided to make this political satire. The energy, vibrancy and our enthusiasm reminded me of my experimental theatre days. And producing your own film always gives you a lot of freedom,” says Sayaji who has also turned producer with this venture.
Playing the role of Chandrakant Tope, a legislator wasn’t a difficult task, he says. “Politicians are interesting people and they have good and bad qualities. I have studied many politicians closely. It is the vicious circle of politics which we have tried to bring out through our film. The film is a spoof on elections” The political satire was written and planned keeping the elections in mind.
Sayaji says his journey down South began quite hesitantly. When the producers asked him to come to Peddar Road for a meeting, he refused and called them to Chunabhatti instead, he recalls. “I spoke to them in Marathi and not English. I didn’t take the whole thing seriously. But their approach and dedication won me over.”
Ever since, he has stayed on and also insists that he would rather do Marathi films than act in Hindi films. “Hindi films do not respect fine actors, it is all about super stars and stardom. Film-making is reduced to revolving around a star’s moods.”
If talent is encouraged, the face of Marathi cinema will change, he believes. “This is a good time to experiment and there is good money. We need intelligent, talented people. The films are sure to do good business,” he signs off. The film releases on May 1.
