Rinky Kumar (DNA; August 1, 2018)

Swanand Kirkire wears many hats with aplomb. He is not only a lyricist but also an associate director, a writer and a playback singer. The 46-year-old, who has acted in Hindi films and did a bit role in a Marathi movie Pune 52 earlier, (2013), now plays the lead in the recently-released Chumbak. The award-winning lyricist plays a mentally slow man, Prasanna, in the Marathi production, which is presented by Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar. The story is about the unconventional friendship between a 15-year-old boy, Baalu, and Prasanna that forces the former to make a choice between his dreams and morality. The movie, which will be screened at the ninth edition of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) next month, is garnering great reviews.

However, it was a chance encounter that helped Swanand bag the role. He says, “The film’s producer, Naren Kumar called me a few years ago as he wanted me to write the songs for Jolly LLB (2013). At that time, it didn’t work out due to some reason. Later, he got in touch with me again. I presumed he wanted me to pen the lyrics for The State Vs Jolly LLB 2 (2017) as he was backing that movie too. But instead, he narrated Chumbak’s script to me. I heard it out and really liked it.” What appealed to the National Award-winning lyricist was that the story gave him an opportunity to play a mildly-autistic person. He elaborates, “Prasanna is a simpleton at heart. He is gullible and trusts people easily. While portraying such a character on screen, you always have a fear that you might go overboard.”

Later, he did a workshop with his co-actors. Swanand says, “We had to work on the internal as well as external process. Also, in cinema, you need to add an entertaining touch to every character. So, I added small quirks like wearing sneakers instead of formal shoes, so that there is a child-like swiftness when my character walks.”

The multi-faceted artiste emphasises that with Akshay backing this slice-of-life film, it has helped the flick reach out to more people. “When we were making Chumbak, we had no idea where it would head and how it would shape up simply because we are not from the Marathi industry per se. When Akshay saw it at MAMI and decided to come on board, it was a huge honour for the team. We are still pinching ourselves that he is presenting the movie,” exclaims Swanand, whose next project is the Kajol-starrer Helicopter Eela for which he has penned the lyrics.

Actor is gearing up to present, co-produce writer, lyricist, actor Swanand Kirkire’s upcoming film
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 12, 2018)

Akshay Kumar has come on board as presenter for the Marathi film Chumbak that has writer, singer, actor and lyricist Swanand Kirkire in the lead role. Akshay’s production house is also co-producing the film. The duo had earlier collaborated on R Balki’s Pad Man.

Speaking about the development, an excited Kirkire told Mirror, “It was a coincidence that I co-wrote Padman with R Balki (Akshay had played the lead and also produced the film). The producer of our Marathi film, Naren Kumar, was the executive producer on another Akshay starrer, Jolly LLB, and happened to show our film to him. Akshay oved it. As soon as I finished Pad Man, I started shooting for Chumbak and had no idea we would be collaborating again so soon. It’s great that Akshay is lending his name to the film.”

He asserts that a Bollywood star coming on board gives regional films a boost. “The film gets validation. Marathi cinema is content-based so Hindi film actors feel proud to associate with them,” he reasons.

The lyricist-actor shoots down rumours that Akshay is making a special appearance. “No, he is not acting in the film. It’s the journey of a child and a 45-year-old man played by me. We are introducing two new actors — Sahil Jadhav and Sangram Desai,” Kirkire signs off.


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Chumbak director Sandeep Modi on why the superstar agreed to present his Marathi film
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; June 12, 2018)

Swanand Kirkire-starrer Marathi film, Chumbak, has caught Akshay Kumar's attention. The star tweeted a video yesterday, stating that he will present the film. Director Sandeep Modi says that the script appealed to the superstar.

"Akshay sir stands for cinema that is content driven and rooted, yet entertaining. He has never given his name to a film before. After watching Chumbak, he was moved and said that he wanted to have the film under his name, and not his company's," says Modi, who believes that Akshay Kumar's association will boost the film's box-office performance. "I'm sure when people realise the trust Akshay sir has on the film, they will watch it."

Chumbak hits theatres on July 27 and is a story of friendship between a restaurant waiter and a village simpleton. Getting Kumar on board wasn't a tough nut to crack for the makers. "Swanand worked with Akshay sir in Pad Man (2018), and our producer, Naren, had worked with him on Jolly LLB 2 (2017). So, he was aware of Chumbak when we met. Akshay sir is a man of few words, but when he watched the film, he was moved. Over the next few days, he organized a screening for his school friends and Marathi teachers. During the screening he told us that he wanted to present the film so that it reaches all cinema lovers."

In the video, Kumar says, "Few days ago, I saw a movie which has been etched in my mind. I do not know what made this film stick in my mind."

Came across something very honest and pure...it has been stuck in my head like Chumbak, thought of sharing it with you all. हे पहा, मला तुमचा फक्त एक मिनिट हवा आहे. @ChumbakTheFilm @SwanandKirkire #ChumbakTheFilm pic.twitter.com/YIykGeuZ0m

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) June 11, 2018