We wanted to show Vasantrao as a regular human being: Rahul Deshpande

Popular classical singer Rahul Deshpande is all set to make his big-screen acting debut in Nipun Dharmadhikari’s Me Vasantrao, where he will be seen as his late grandfather, the legendary vocalist Dr Vasantrao Deshpande. 

Speaking about the role, Rahul said, "I was just three and half years old when my grandfather passed away. So frankly, I don't have many long-lasting memories of him. I barely remember anything about him. Whatever I heard about him was from my parents, his friends and Bhai Kaka (writer PL Deshpande) and then I also began listening to his songs and interviews.

"When Nipun decided to cast me as Vasantrao, I was under a lot of pressure, because we all know how great and talented an artist he was. But then we decided, instead of showing him as some larger-than-life personality, we will show him as a normal human being to whom we all can relate. And probably that's what also helped me during the shoot."

Recalling the day of the shoot, Rahul added, "I was in the makeup room, listening to my grandfather’s song. When I opened my eyes and looked at myself in the mirror, I felt as if I was seeing my ajoba [grandfather]. That day I knew what I was getting into. I felt that my grandfather was living again through me."

Me Vasantrao also stars Anita Date, Amey Wagh, Kumudi Walokar and Pushkaraj Chirputkar.

The film will be released in theatres on 1 April.