For me, romance is SRK: Swapnil Joshi

He is a popular Marathi film actor with several hits including Mumbai Pune Mumbai, Duniyadaari and Mitwa to his credit. On TV, Swwapnil Joshi has been part of successful Marathi shows like Eka Lagnachi Dusri Ghoshta and Madhu Ethe Ani Chandra Tithe. Hindi viewers know him from many serials like Krishna, Amanat, Bhabhi among others and Comedy Circus. Known as the Shah Rukh Khan of Marathi cinema, Swapnil will soon be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Shabina Khan’s first Marathi venture, Laal Ishq. Here the loverboy of Marathi cinema talks about his upcoming film and the role that is all set to change his image.

What was your reaction when you were offered Laal Ishq?

The answer may sound clichéd, but it was a dream come true. Every actor, every technician, every director wants to be associated with the magic of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It was a great honour for me to get the lead role in his first Marathi venture. There are some moments you remember for a life time and the call I got from his office is one of those. I was sitting in my office when I got a call saying Shabina Khan wants to talk me. She told me that she and Bhansali were producing a Marathi film and would love to cast me in the lead role. Jab aisa phone aata hai toh na kehna ki gunjaish nahi hoti. Besides, the film is being directed by Swapna Waghmare-Joshi and our last film together — Mitwa — was a big hit. It has become a cult love story.  

You have always played romantic roles in Marathi films. How will this be different?

Yes, this film is also romantic, but it’s a thriller. It will present me in a completely different light. It’s a genre I have never experimented with nor have I been exposed to. The way it is written, the characterisation, the presentation — everything is different. In fact, this will take me away from my image as a loverboy. This role might raise eyebrows as it has grey shades, which has not been associated with my body of work.

So, is this the most challenging role you have done so far?

I play a middle-class boy Yash Patwardhan, who becomes a huge film star and is trying to get back to his roots. What happens then is my part of the story. Every role comes with its own challenges, but by far this is the riskiest role I have done as an actor. Every actor has an image and after a point you start liking that image. Somewhere you get into a comfort zone. So, when you venture into an unknown territory, the outcome is challenging and scary at the same time. This role takes me there. I have this image of a boy-next-door and I have people calling me dada, (elder brother), bhau, and mothers think their sons should be like me. I have a completely positive image. Now, this film has me playing a shrewd character, that leads to darkness and cut-throatedness. I wouldn’t mind if I get a wicked image after this (laughs).

This film also sees Anjana Sukhani making her Marathi debut. How was it working with her?

I always say that it’s the heroines’ beauty and performance that enhances my work and image as a loverboy. Heroines have made me look handsome and Anjana is no exception. Language was a huge barrier for her, and it is especially, difficult to get the nuances right. But Anjana worked hard, she had a Marathi tutor and we did a lot of workshops. Also, everyday after pack-up, we used to sit for one-and-a-half hour working on her diction, the pauses and landing of a particular sentence. The entire unit was Maharashtrian so we used to tease her a lot too. We also taught her a few Marathi abuses though she didn’t know that! Overall, it’s been an enriching experience working with her.

You share a good onscreen chemistry with Mukta Barve and have given several hit films together. What is the secret?

We are extremely thick friends and it has nothing to do with how often we work or we don’t work. We can trust each other blindly and I think that forms a unique bonding, which translates into what you call chemistry. There is an X factor and whenever we get together it’s magic.

You are known as the Shah Rukh Khan of Marathi cinema because of the way you romance on screen —even some of your gestures are same!

(Laughs). I don’t think so, but if it is true, I take it as a compliment. I am a huge fan of Shah Rukh. For me romance is SRK. But I must stop at that. All my life I have struggled hard to be Swapnil Joshi. I am a realistic guy. Shah Rukh is huge. No doubt, he is inspiring and has a lot of energy. I have met him formally on a few occasions and done his TV show Ghar Ki Baatein. He is a gracious gentleman.

In recent times, Marathi cinema has made great strides and has attracted Bollywood filmmakers too. What is the reason?

Yes, on the one hand, it is becoming big and commercial and on the other hand it is not letting go of the rawness and earthiness of Marathi cinema. It’s a complete win-win situation. In Marathi we have a saying, ‘haath ganganala lagave pan pay zameenevar rahave’. It means you should reach the sky but your feet should be on the ground. That’s exactly what is happening with Marathi cinema.

Is it true that you are doing Shah Rukh Khan and Rohit Shetty’s Marathi film?

I don’t want to comment on that.

What next?

I am doing an out-and-out comedy Fuggy with Subodh Bhave. A black comedy, it’s in the Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and Andaz Apna Apna zone. I am excited about it because it’s the first time I will be doing that kind of comedy.