Interview: Kedar Shinde
By: Arora Rai
Be good at something, and success will find you.
For Kedar Shinde, success finding him meant establishing himself as one of the best directors in Marathi cinema in order to find his place in Bollywood.
After whipping out box office hit after box office hit with Marathi films like Jatra, Bakula Namdev Ghotale and Aga Bai Arechya, Shinde has indeed realized his dream with his recent ascension to helming a Bollywood production in Toh Baat Pakki, which features some of the most recognizable names in Hindi cinema, like Tabu and Sharman Joshi.
Of course, just like any other filmmaker’s journey to Bollywood (or even Hollywood, for that matter), Shinde’s story is an interesting one, complete with humble beginnings. In a recent interview with the press in India, Shinde said it all started with an academic competition.
“When I was in college, I wrote one play for an inter-college competition which was hugely appreciated, and even from childhood I wanted to do something different in the field of art,” he humbly told reporters. “Later on, I wrote many plays followed by Marathi serials like House Full, Hasa Chakatfu, and Ghadlay Bighadlay. Thereafter, the next step was Bollywood, so here I am directing my first film, Toh Baat Pakki.”
In landing his debut role in Bollywood, Shinde said all it took was producing qualitative work in India’s equally impressive regional film industry in Maharashtra, where both Hindi and Marathi cinema call home. Once he established himself as a quality name in Marathi film, it was only a matter of time before Bollywood came knocking on his door.
“I got this film because of my previous work in the Marathi entertainment industry,” he told reporters. “It made (the producers) believe … I can pull the film off.”
While the producers – Tips Film – had faith Shinde could indeed man a Bollywood ship after finding success in Marathi cinema, the filmmaker said he learned quite a few things during his transition to Hindi film.
“I think, in Bollywood you have to be a lot more patient,” he humbly said in his chat with the press. “Also, the style of working is a bit different, but that can be understood, as its audience is large. However, that also changed my vision and made me a lot more patient.”
Of course, being a director does not always mean one is immune from being star-struck, and Shinde was definitely a little befuddled in working with Tabu, coincidentally one of the biggest names in Hindi cinema.
It took a few days, but Shinde was finally able to find a rapport with Tabu and guide her along with the rest of the cast in eventually putting together a comedic film.
“For the first two days, I was numb and in shock, as I couldn’t believe that I was directing Tabu. I never ever thought in my wildest dream that I will be doing this,” Shinde excitedly admitted. “I think directing Tabu is a treat for any director, as she is a director’s actor. I would like to tell you that she is not only a good actress but also a great human being.”
Perhaps Shinde will have an opportunity to work with Tabu or other great human beings who also act in Hindi films in the very near future, as the Marathi filmmaker is signed on to Tips Film for three more Bollywood-themed movies.
As the films have yet to be announced, Shinde is looking forward to the upcoming release of Toh Baat Pakki, which opens nationwide on February 19th. It also stars Vatsal Sheth and Uvika.
