Riteish Deshmukh insists he has no fascination for solo lead films
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; September 8, 2016)

While most actors hanker after solo projects, Riteish Deshmukh says he enjoys working in multi-starrer films. His next, Banjo, will see him as a solo lead hero after four years — his last was Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya with wife, Genelia. “Most multi-starrers that I have done have all been sequels. From Masti to Kyaa Kool Hai Hum and Housefull, all franchises have given me a lot of recognition. I have no fascination for solo hero films. After working for so many years in the industry, I have figured that it’s always good to have work rather than sit idle.”

Riteish admits that an ensemble cast is a better option since “success and failure are equally divided”. He adds that his next will tell the story of banjo players without being preachy. “Mere kaafi saare dost thhe jo banjo bajate thhe... So getting into their skin was not the issue. We did a lot of homework. In fact, Ravi (Jadhav, director) shot and interviewed banjo players. He shared the videos with me,” he says. Riteish is also busy with a Marathi biopic on Chhatrapati Shivaji which he will act in and produce. “We are still scripting the film and finalising a few things before we start rolling by the end of the year,” he says. Salman Khan will do an extended cameo in the film. Says the actor, “Salman was a part of my debut Marathi film, Lai Bhaari, and he was gracious enough to be a part of Chhatrapati Shivaji.”