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No one could have pulled off Pu La like Sagar: Mahesh Manjrekar
The Natsamrat (2016) director is glad that he chose this subject, despite his writer refusing to touch it
Mahesh Manjrekar admits that he initially wasn’t too keen on Sagar Deshmukh playing Pu La Deshpande. However, the actor-director is glad that he listened to creative director Amol Parchure’s suggestion about casting Sagar. “His casting in Bhai: Vyakti ki Valli was purely by chance. When his name was first suggested, I wasn’t convinced. When I met him in office and then when I saw the edited version, I knew that no one else would have pulled it off like he did. He has taken the role to a completely different level,” says Mahesh, who has directed the film that will release in two parts.
Having been in the industry for over three decades, wasn’t he sceptical about releasing a film in two parts? “It is true that the most brilliant thought or idea will strike you in the bathroom (laughs). I was cutting the film like a fool, and then it struck me, ‘why can’t I release it in two parts?’ There is a risk as it is one story releasing on two days, it is not like a Dabangg 1 and 2. But I am positive.”
He adds that it would be unfair to limit the legend’s stories for the sake of a short-length film. “If you are making a portrait, you can’t cut off the features of a person because of lack of space. Similarly, I could not cut out important and relevant portions of Pu La’s life to make a film spanning two hours.”
The Natsamrat (2016) director is glad that he chose this subject, despite his writer refusing to touch it. “It was the anger and need to prove a point to the writer that I embarked on this journey. That apart, I am really fascinated by this man’s life and his stories.”
