Director Ravi Jadhav is envied by his contemporaries in the Marathi film industry for the kind of movies he has helmed. After all, whether it's the highly-acclaimed 'Natrang' or the blockbuster 'Balak-Palak', he has not just impressed critics with his approach towards bold subjects but also consistently hit jackpot at the box office.
The National Award winner is now making his Bollywood debut with the Riteish Deshmukh-starrer 'Banjo'. In a chat with BT, Ravi shares his experiences of working on the film and hopes that his Midas touch will work in Bollywood, too. Excerpts...
You're having a good run in the Marathi industry. What prompted you to direct Hindi films?
I was intrigued by the life of banjo players across India. I thought a film about these people would be interesting. If I did it in Marathi, I would have to restrict myself to only street musicians in Maharashtra. I wanted to communicate to a wider audience, so I thought, I should make it in Hindi.
How challenging was it to make the shift to Bollywood?
It was very challenging. I think and visualise my films in Marathi. This time around, I had to treat the subject differently. I had to keep in mind what kind of music people throughout India like to hear. I believe the magic of filmmaking is to make people of different cultures and backgrounds fall in love with a simple story. And that's what I am trying to achieve.
Your first Marathi film 'Natrang' won the National Award. Are you nervous about your Hindi debut?
Frankly, when I made 'Natrang', I didn't think it would win a National Award. But people loved it. I hope audiences fall in love with 'Banjo', too. But most importantly, the next time they pass by banjo players on the street, I want them to stop and admire them. I'm as anxious as a first-time director.
What inputs did Riteish give you while shooting for the film?
He made me comfortable on the sets. On the first day of shoot, he told me, 'Though this is your first Hindi movie, you are the most experienced debutant director in Bollywood!' And I agree. Since I belong to an advertising background, I like sharing and discussing ideas. In fact, the whole process of shooting was enjoyable. Genelia (Deshmukh) would get dabbas of food from home for everyone.
Their son Riaan would visit the set in Worli Village. I would chide Riteish that Riaan was too young to come to such a place, as there would be open gutters and a huge crowd. But he told me he wanted his son to see the real India. So, we were like one big family.
One of the main reasons we cast Riteish was because his character in the movie is a Maharashtrian. I wanted a Marathi manoos speaking in Hindi with the correct pronunciations and he fit the bill. Likewise, we chose Nargis Fakhri as she plays a girl from New York, who knows nothing about Mumbai and its culture. So, she looks natural in the film because she is playing herself. In fact, Nargis told me, 'This is the first time I'm not using wigs, wearing heavy lehengas, or playing a Punjabi kudi'. She has done such a fantastic job that people will be surprised.
Do you think Marathi cinema will get a boost if Bollywood stars decide to act in regional films?
Definitely. Be it Priyanka Chopra or Ajay Devgn, many actors are producing Marathi films. I feel blessed that I am working in the movies at the right time, because today, the biggest stars are looking beyond the typical song-and-dance routine and are interested in doing films which have great content. And Marathi cinema has some good stories.
Any plans of getting into Bollywood full time?
I will try juggling both the industries. This will depend on how Banjo fares. In Marathi, I want to do small-budget films with good scripts.
The National Award winner is now making his Bollywood debut with the Riteish Deshmukh-starrer 'Banjo'. In a chat with BT, Ravi shares his experiences of working on the film and hopes that his Midas touch will work in Bollywood, too. Excerpts...
You're having a good run in the Marathi industry. What prompted you to direct Hindi films?
I was intrigued by the life of banjo players across India. I thought a film about these people would be interesting. If I did it in Marathi, I would have to restrict myself to only street musicians in Maharashtra. I wanted to communicate to a wider audience, so I thought, I should make it in Hindi.
How challenging was it to make the shift to Bollywood?
It was very challenging. I think and visualise my films in Marathi. This time around, I had to treat the subject differently. I had to keep in mind what kind of music people throughout India like to hear. I believe the magic of filmmaking is to make people of different cultures and backgrounds fall in love with a simple story. And that's what I am trying to achieve.
Your first Marathi film 'Natrang' won the National Award. Are you nervous about your Hindi debut?
Frankly, when I made 'Natrang', I didn't think it would win a National Award. But people loved it. I hope audiences fall in love with 'Banjo', too. But most importantly, the next time they pass by banjo players on the street, I want them to stop and admire them. I'm as anxious as a first-time director.
What inputs did Riteish give you while shooting for the film?
He made me comfortable on the sets. On the first day of shoot, he told me, 'Though this is your first Hindi movie, you are the most experienced debutant director in Bollywood!' And I agree. Since I belong to an advertising background, I like sharing and discussing ideas. In fact, the whole process of shooting was enjoyable. Genelia (Deshmukh) would get dabbas of food from home for everyone.
Their son Riaan would visit the set in Worli Village. I would chide Riteish that Riaan was too young to come to such a place, as there would be open gutters and a huge crowd. But he told me he wanted his son to see the real India. So, we were like one big family.
One of the main reasons we cast Riteish was because his character in the movie is a Maharashtrian. I wanted a Marathi manoos speaking in Hindi with the correct pronunciations and he fit the bill. Likewise, we chose Nargis Fakhri as she plays a girl from New York, who knows nothing about Mumbai and its culture. So, she looks natural in the film because she is playing herself. In fact, Nargis told me, 'This is the first time I'm not using wigs, wearing heavy lehengas, or playing a Punjabi kudi'. She has done such a fantastic job that people will be surprised.
Do you think Marathi cinema will get a boost if Bollywood stars decide to act in regional films?
Definitely. Be it Priyanka Chopra or Ajay Devgn, many actors are producing Marathi films. I feel blessed that I am working in the movies at the right time, because today, the biggest stars are looking beyond the typical song-and-dance routine and are interested in doing films which have great content. And Marathi cinema has some good stories.
Any plans of getting into Bollywood full time?
I will try juggling both the industries. This will depend on how Banjo fares. In Marathi, I want to do small-budget films with good scripts.
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