Subodh Bhave: I still can't believe I played Dr Kashinath Ghanekar

During an exclusive conversation with Cinestaan.com, director Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande had shared that actor Subodh Bhave could not relate to the character of Kashinath Ghanekar when he narrated the film Ani… Dr Kashinath Ghanekar to him.

At the film's trailer launch event yesterday, Bhave elaborated on this. “I am still unable to believe that I played this character," the Marathi film star said. "When our heartbeats keep increasing as we wait for our turn to perform in a play, we fear we are dying. I am feeling such fear right now.”

This is the third biopic Bhave is acting in after Balgandharva (2011) and Lokmanya: Ek Yugpurush (2015).

Bhave said no character in his career has ever created such fear within him. “I have played different types of characters," he said. "But even while playing Balgandharva and Lokmanya, I never felt the kind of fear I am feeling right now, even after completing the shoot, because I am not able to believe I played this role. I think if you check my BP [blood pressure] right now, it will be high.”

While highlighting the difference between him and the late theatre artiste, Bhave said, “I could never relate with Kashinath Ghanekar in any way. Our natures, kind of plays and films we did, are way different.

"His point of view while going in front of the audience was very different from mine. I got to play an actor whose mere name on the poster ensured a full house. And I am the kind of actor who won’t be able to sell five tickets even if my name appears on the poster 10 times.”

Ani... Dr Kashinath Ghanekar trailer: Pride, anger and talent simmer in theatre legend's life story

Bhave credited director Deshpande for him and others being able to pull off their roles in the film. “Abhijeet has worked hard for four to five years for this film," the actor said. "He was clear in his mind how the film should look from the first till the last frame and knew exactly what he wanted from others. I guess because of this the entire cast and I felt at ease while performing.”

The actor also paid his respects to the yesteryear greats of Marathi theatre. “We keep thinking that the reason for plays going houseful these days is us," he said. "But I feel it was started in the 1890s by Annasaheb Kirloskar, followed by Balgandharva, Dinanath Mangeshkar, Keshavrao Bhosale and the generation after them like, Dr [Shriram] Lagoo, Dr Ghanekar, etc. Because of them Marathi theatre shone and it started getting celebrated like festivals in households. My heartfelt salute to all of them!”

Also starring Sonali Kulkarni, Sumeet Raghvan and Vaidehi Parshurami, Ani… Dr Kashinath Ghanekar will be released on 8 November.