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I like to work with newcomers: Sachin Pilgaonkar
Says the senior actor-director, who enjoys the process of working with new people as it helps him reinvent himself
Having started his career at the age of five, actor-director Sachin Pilgaonkar has not only worked under big names but has had the fortune of directing some stars too. The Ranangan (2018) actor, however, has not let fame or success affect him in his 56-year-long career. He shares that he is still as enthusiastic and eager today, as he was five decades ago.
He has also tried his best to stay updated and in tune with everything that has changed in the industry. He believes that sometimes being a popular face can curb your potential because film-makers tend to come with a baggage.
Over the past few years, he has tried to work with newcomers and debutants, because he wanted to explore. “It is interesting to work with people who know nothing about me. These new and fresh minds give me the opportunity to reinvent myself,” says Sachin.
Sharing one such incident from a dance reality show in 2005, the actor says, “I remember our assigned choreographers Al-Mel, were aware that we are actors but had no clue that we could dance. On the first day of the rehearsal, they made us walk, to check whether we could do it without dashing into anything (laughs). Al asked me if I could dance, and if Supriya will be able to manage. I just smiled and said maybe.”
His wife and actor, Supriya Pilgaonkar, was surprised that they knew nothing about them. “I told her let it be, let’s play along,” he says.
On why he wasn’t ready to reveal his dancing prowess to the choreographers, Sachin adds, “After a few days, they got to know of our songs and that I have choreographed many numbers in my films. They were embarrassed and asked me why I had not told them. To which, I said, the fact that you were unaware of my dancing skills, made you experiment with me. Also, I was there to learn, not to show off or harp on the past.”
The couple did go on to win the reality show and Sachin feels it was the initial rapport with his team that helped them win. “If they would have known everything about us, they would have had inhibitions. They wouldn’t have explored our dancing abilities. Hence, I like to work with newcomers, it helps explore my potential,” he says.
