Record-breaker 'Maherchi Sadi' can't be recreated: Ashalata
PTI, PANAJI | 04 June 2014 20:31 IST
Veteran Marathi actress Ashalata Wabgaonkar, who was part of 1991 mega blockbuster “Maherchi Sadi”, feels the movie cannot be recreated in the current context though the topic is still relevant.
The 73-year-old actress said people could not believe that the movie, starring Vikram Gokhale and Alka Kubal among others, was exhibited for 75 weeks in 1991 breaking box-office records.
The film was scripted on a family drama based on hugely successful Rajasthani film ‘Bai Chali Sasariye’ and later remade in Hindi as ‘Saajan Ka Ghar’ with Juhi Chawla and Rishi Kapoor.
It was the highest grossing Marathi film at that time collecting Rs six crore in first three months.
“You can’t get the same response if its redone now. That phase has gone. Media is more big now though the topic of movie is still relevant. Now movies handle different subjects. Now people won’t like a movie which is the sad-kind. But the movie that time worked extraordinarily,” she said.
Ashalata would be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Goa Marathi Film Festival on June 6 here.
“I am more happy because I am getting the honour in Goa,” said the actress who hails from the coastal state and now settled in Mumbai.
“The honour should have come earlier. But I am happy at least they remembered me. Its a satisfying feeling,” she added.
Ashalata said she has won two trophies in her lifetime – one for Amitabh Bachchan starrer ‘Namak Halal’ and another for ‘Maherchi Sadi’.
She said she took a small break from movies after 2005 due to health reasons.
“I was advised not to work. But I did few Marathi movies and television serials. I didn’t get Hindi movies because in the industry when you are out of sight you are out of mind. But I never felt bad because it is the way it is,” she said
The actress, who belongs to the generation of actors who brought glory to Marathi film industry, said that the current films are really versatile.
“They are handling some of the best topics with good scripts. But we don’t get to watch it because they are screened in multiplexes at odd times. The main slots are always grabbed by Hindi cinema which is popular.
“That’s why many movies can’t cross one week. It should not be the case. We have to wait it to be shown on the TV. We can’t see even some award winning movies,” Ashalata said.
The actress said that she enjoyed doing both – Hindi and Marathi films.
“But Hindi has more exposure and money. Now at least Marathi movie producers pay good but in past the situation was different. In Hindi I got to work with superstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna. It gave me so much exposure,” she said.
Ashalata has a dream to work in a film based on psychology.
“I want to work in a film related to psychology. I am a psychology student. I want to play a role of a person who is a psychiatrist or someone who treats the patient. I don’t mean the movie should be based on psychological disorders. It will be a different kind of a role,” she added.
