First Time Lucky: Rinku Rajguru and Akash Thosar, the young actors of Sairat

Rajguru: We thank the audience for receiving the film so well. However, now I can’t go to the nearest panipuri stall (smiles), or go for a walk with my friends as I normally would have, when we were shooting Sairat last year. After the success of the film, I have not been able to go back to my village; my parents have to travel to Pune to see me.

The two of you are still students. Did you nurture any ambition of becoming actors in school and college?
Thosar: This is like a dream, from which we never want to wake up. The industry is totally new to me. My father was a local contractor and my mother is a housewife in Karmala. I am a shy boy, so I never thought about becoming an actor. I had planned to study for UPSC/MPSC and wanted to join the police force while I was pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in history.

It was during this time that I got interested in body-building and saw some shows in my village. I started to train but I never really made it onstage for any performance. I have never even participated in any school or college activities either. Sairat happened by chance, when my photo was shown to Anna’s (Manjule) brother at a railway station; I got called to audition, and some sessions later, I was selected. But I did not know that I was cast as the hero.

Rajguru: It so happened that Anna was shooting for a film in Akluj, my village in Solapur district. My mother knows him as he is from Solapur as well, and she was going to watch the shoot. At the time I was in Class VII and I insisted on accompanying her. I was introduced to Anna and he asked me if I would give an audition. My audition included some dialogues and dancing, and it was only after a year that I was intimated of my selection. I’m not a trained dancer but I love dancing and that has come to my advantage.

How did you prepare for the film?
Thosar: It feels like we were leading a different life. In day-to-day life, we are easily overcome by many emotions, but it was quite a task for a novice like me to stand before 50 people and cry. Anna was patient with us and we learned along the way.

Since, I was into body-building, I was asked to lose weight first. Regular exercise along with cutting down on food, and drinking only milk at night helped me become lean for the role. I am very quiet by nature and it took me a while to open up with the team. But thanks to the experience of filming Sairat, I have become a more confident person now.

Rajguru: I had to lose weight as well and had to work on my voice; for that I received helped from the team. It was like taking a test every day. After each shot, I would discuss the scene with Anna, whether it was okay and the improvements I had to bring to my performance. Every expression was worked upon and Anna was able to capture the best shot because he showed a lot of patience.

How much did you two identify with your characters?
Rajguru: I am quite like the character, and in front of the camera, I had to become Archie. Slowly and steadily, I began identifying with her.
Thosar: I was quite close to the character too. The general traits of the leads must have been kept in mind when they selected us. Girls should be like Archie.

What was the first scene the two of you shot for Sairat?
Thosar: My first shot was the running shot you can see in the Yad lagla song. I was asked to run, and that was a fairly easy shot although there were some retakes as the director wanted it to be perfect.

Rajguru: Mine was when Archie proposes to Parshya. I had to hold Akash’s hand and say “I love you”. I was a nervous wreck — I could not say my dialogues properly and I was very uncomfortable holding his hand. I did several retakes. Eventually, as a unit, we got friendly and I could finally deliver the shot.

Which scenes were the most difficult for you during the shoot?
Thosar: For me, the most difficult shot was when Archie goes missing after she and Parshya fight. I had to cry and it was very difficult but I practised and got it right. There was a scene in Hyderabad where I had to fight with Rinku on the footpath and people were almost going to attack me!

Rajguru: I had several scenes in which I cry — they were the most difficult. We never used glycerin, I had to actually cry. Before those shots, I would ask for five minutes to myself and then try and get it right.

Rajguru, you were recently awarded a Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) at the 63rd National Film Awards for your “effective portrayal of a lively girl who defies societal norms but ultimately has to face the wrath of her family”.

Rajguru: As news flashed on television, every member in the team including Akash and I were jumping!

Thosar: We had hoped that Sairat would receive national recognition and when Rinku got the award, we were more than happy.

What’s next for the two of you?
Thosar: If good offers come I would definitely like to act. If things don’t work out I will take up some other job and continue my studies.

Rajguru: We are too young to understand the industry. Every step ahead will be discussed with Anna. Right now, I have to decide where to complete Class X from. I also aim to be a doctor, so let’s see how it goes.