Chumbak director Sandeep Modi: Akshay Kumar stands for content driven cinema
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.

Still from Chumbak
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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."

Sandeep ModiChumbak 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."