Showing posts with label Devmanus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devmanus. Show all posts
80% of south films don’t require a director, as the action director does most of the work-Mahesh Manjrekar
10:26 AM
Stating that he has been typecast in villainous and comic roles, Mahesh Manjrekar says he was surprised to be offered the lead role in Devmanus at 66
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 19, 2025)
Villain or comedian—over the last many years, Mahesh Manjrekar has been approached with either of the two parts. It’s something he almost contented himself with. Until director Tejas Vijay Prabha Deoskar offered the actor, 66, the central role in Devmanus.
“I have usually been typecast in negative or comic roles. So, when I got Devmanus, I jumped at the chance. The myth that I do only negative and comic roles needs to die down. I was pleasantly surprised when Tejas offered me the role as my on-screen image is not at all of a dev manus [a God-figure]. At this age, when you get to lead a project, it’s daunting but also heartening,” smiles Manjrekar, who balances his directing and acting careers.
The thriller, also starring Renuka Shahane and Subodh Bhave, revolves around Manjrekar’s God-fearing man whose peaceful life comes undone after a moral transgression. Manjrekar notes that Devmanus carries a strong social message, something that is true of most Marathi movies. He believes that’s what separates Marathi cinema from its Hindi and south counterparts.
In his signature candid style, he says, “All films want to make a statement as they reflect society. However, most of the south films don’t reflect anything. I believe 80 per cent of south films don’t require a director, as the action director does most of the work. Why does a director claim to have helmed the film? In Marathi cinema, we have a strong social message and a [powerful] storyline. In Hindi cinema today, it’s heartening to see content-driven films doing well and trashy films going to the trash bins. The star system has crashed. No star can ensure a great opening on Fridays today. OTT has made the audience more intelligent about its choices.”
I’m the only one to have two films releasing in different languages-Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar
8:53 AM
Bringing both his films Ground Zero and Devmanus to theatres on April 25, director Tejas Deoskar on attempting a distinct genre with each and juggling their post-production
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 12, 2025)
Every director will tell you about the Friday jitters they experience when their movie is releasing. One can only imagine the pressure and excitement that director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar will feel when his two movies, Ground Zero and Devmanus, hit the theatres on April 25. “Somebody told me that before this, only Priyadarshan sir had two films releasing on the same day. I’m the only one to have two films releasing in different languages,” grins Deoskar.
Language isn’t the only factor separating the Hindi offering, Ground Zero, and Mahesh Manjrekar’s Marathi outing Devmanus. Inspired by real-life events, the Emraan Hashmi-starrer chronicles the aftermath of the 2001 Indian Parliament attack.
Deoskar explains, “Ground Zero is an intense action drama based on BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey’s life and real events. Emraan plays him, and is seen [on the hunt] for a terrorist. Devmanus is an emotional thriller, where a man—played by Manjrekar—finds himself in a moral dilemma. I was initially apprehensive about both my movies releasing on the same day. I feel the audience gets divided, especially since the Marathi audience is a subset of the Hindi one. But the two production houses felt that both films had different viewers. They didn’t see it as a clash. The only thing I had to figure out was to run around for the films’ post-production, which was tough.”
While shooting each movie came with its challenges, the director believes Ground Zero was the more demanding one. “It was a tougher one to execute as action films are demanding. Plus, we were shooting in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir, and the region has certain complexities.” Having an earnest actor like Hashmi helped matters.
“Emraan is a director’s delight. He asks a lot of questions related to his character and the story, and comes on the set having done a lot of homework. So, we’re halfway through when we start. Also, he has an uncanny memory,” shares Deoskar.
Working on Devmanus was a unique experience as actors Manjrekar, Renuka Shahane and Subodh Bhave are also directors in their own right. Deoskar reflects, “While there were four directors, including me, on the set, nobody overpowered me. There was mutual respect. We could collaborate, discuss their suggestions, and do what was best for the film.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)