Reinventing the reel image

Lai Bhaari

Riteish Deshmukh is quite the man of the moment, (and Screen’s cover story too) what with giving everyone a fright with his villainous turn in Ek Villain. Who would have ever thought that the mild-mannered Deshmukh known more often than not for his over-the-top comic turn in films, would pull off a spine-chilling role with such elan. But that’s not all—Deshmukh is clearly at the cusp of a major transition in both perception and reality, usually a significant watershed moment for career actors. After successfully starring in a series of multi-starrers most of them comedies, he has now launched himself as a leading man in Marathi films with Lai Bhaari helmed by National Award winning director Nishikant Kamat. The film has mopped up around Rs. 10 crore plus over the weekend signalling a hit which is a big deal for a debutant (in Marathi).
This triumph follows close on the heels of twin success of Balak Palak and Yellow, both content driven Marathi films—the former. a coming- of- age film about adolescents and their curiosity about birds and bees and the latter about the real life story of swimming champion Gauri Gadgil (a specially abled child). Both films were much appreciated by the audience, thus paving the way for Deshmukh’s smooth transition from producer to actor in Marathi films. His choice of films as producer are almost diametrically different from Hindi films he has acted in, hinting at the actor’s intelligence and an alternate sensibility.
Deshmukh, who started off with Tujhe Meri Kasam (opposite wife Genelia) has played the solo lead in a couple of Hindi films—Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya, Aladin, Jaane Kahan Se Aayee Hai among others has expanded his repertoire and consolidated his position. Deshmukh has certainly fared better than several contemporaries who were unable to wriggle out of the comical hero/side-kick mold.
Although an intelligent actor, none of his films really tapped into that side of him and it didn’t help that most films outside of his comedies didn’t go down well with the audience. Until now. Hopefully, in this new phase of his career post the grey character, we will get to see him in a wider range of roles, a few that are unapologetic about displaying the grey cells too!
And when on the subject of career reinventions, actor Anupam Kher is a name that certainly can’t be overlooked. After scores of applause-worthy films (and a few forgettable ones), a play running to packed house, Hollywood foray, a very successful acting academy and a bestselling book, he has now turned the concept common to both the book and the play into a television show. Going by the positive reactions to his show, Kher has probably added yet another feather to his already crowded cap and now we eagerly await news of the next exciting adventure that he embarks upon! This is quite clearly the season for reinventing the reel image.