We were always ready for comparisons with Sairat, says Dhadak actor Shridhar Watsar

Actor Shridhar Watsar is receiving praise for his funny act as Ishaan Khatter’s friend in Shashank Khaitan’s Dhadak, which was released yesterday. During a chat with us, he also revealed about the rapport he had with the young actor off-screen.

He shared that Khatter had his task cut out and he had to clear some hurdles while playing the character. “The guy is a thinking actor. He has worked a lot on his character. The Marathi film has become iconic. So, psychologically there was pressure on him initially during the workshops,” said Watsar.

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The director had a timely advice for Khatter. “He handled the pressure well. Shashank sir asked him not to refer to the original Marathi film. If you see the film, you will realize how much hard work he has put in,” he added.

Dhadak is the official remake of the iconic Marathi film, Sairat (2016).

While speaking about the changes they have made from the original, Watsar said, “The basic theme is the same as it’s an official adaptation. It won’t look good if we make too many changes after taking the rights. There is some change in the background. The conflict was on caste in Sairat. Here it is between Rajputs and those belonging to the middle class.”

Comparisons between Dhadak and Sairat started right from the time the Dhadak poster was launched. Touching on this aspect, Watsar said, “We were always prepared for that. It was always going to happen. You can’t stop the normal audience [from comparing]. I too am a Maharashtrian. I have been a big fan of Nagraj [Manjule] ji and have followed all his films right from his short film Pistulya.”

My character is responsible for the humour in Dhadak, says actor Shridhar Watsar

He signed off saying, “We have made the film according to our thinking and have put in every effort to do as much justice as possible to the original film.”