Shivani Surve : Always follow your director’s instructions!

Actress #ShivaniSurve landed in the entertainment arena accidentally. In fact her other option for career was hotel management. But in 2010 Shivani was offered a Hindi serial ‘#NavyaNayeDhadkanNayeSawaal’ on #StarPlus and she was convinced that this is the field she wants to be part of for the rest of her life. Shivani hails from a modest background and she supported her family financially and now she is a sought after actress in films and television. Shivani has been part of Hindi as well as Marathi entertainment industries and after attaining a good name in Hindi ‘Navya’, she did a Marathi serial ‘#Devyani’ on #StarPravah and became a darling of the audiences.

Shivani Surve returned to Hindi serials with Star Plus’ ‘Jaana Na Dil Se Door’ and her popularity kept soaring. She was part of ‘Ek Deewaana Tha’, ‘Phulwa’, ‘Anamika’, ‘Sundar Maz Ghar’, ‘Tu Jivala Guntavave’ etc. and later ventured out to do films. ‘Satarcha Salman’ was her first film but her first released film was ‘Triple Seat’ for which she bagged the Best Female Debut award at the Filmfare Award Marathi. Shivani dabbled in a reality show ‘Bigg Boss Marathi 2’ where she was declared 3rd runner up. In that show Shivani went through an emotional turmoil. But now she vouches to not be part of any reality show. Shivani Surve has been working hard on her projects and her #PareshMokashi directorial ‘#Vaalvi’ was a superhit and recently released ‘#Jhimma2’ has also been declared a blockbuster and still rocking the box office. Our Sr Editor Keerti Kadam interacted with Shivani Surve during a success bash of Jhimma 2. Excerpts…

You are basking in the success of ‘Jhimma 2’. How did the sequel come to you?
When a film’s first part is successful then becoming a part of it’s sequel is definitely stressful. There’s pressure to match up with the earlier version. People already know the characters and to be liked by them I had to put in double effort. It’s always challenging to enter a successful franchise because audiences expect you to be equally good if not better. I was asked to play the character with utter seriousness. The idea was that people should not get a feeling that I am new in the lot. They should get a feeling that I have been a part of the clan right from the beginning, though not visible. But thanks to my director Hemant Dhome, I could pull it off successfully because he had written the character beautifully. He was confident that this new character too will be appreciated by the viewers.

What was your prep for the film?
I had watched Jhimma when it was released a couple of years ago and had loved it immensely. This film was made by friends and friends were part of the acting team. The female centric issues were handled neatly, without preaching and not forgetting to entertain. I was happy that a film like that was garnering audience support. We have been a society where mainly male centric films are made. So I was glad that a film like ‘Jhimma’ was made where women’s problems were addressed and most importantly audiences supported it.

Coming to your question, I was offered ‘Jhimma 2’ by Hemant. He approached me and after the narration, I fell in love with the character. It’s immensely simple yet powerful. Neither it had punch lines nor it tells jokes etc.but it’s an impactful character. I play a simpleton in the film and simplicity is the strength of the character. It was challenging for me to portray it as it was written. I am glad I became a part of ‘Jhimma 2’.

What were the challenges faced by you during the shoot?
In reality, majority of urban females are comfortable applying make up on a regular basis. I am an actress and the need of make up for me is extra. I need to look presentable all the time and it’s a job requirement. Being an actor I rely on make up most of the time. But my director destabilised my belief. He had asked me to face the camera sans make up. I was requested, ordered, told not to put on any make up during the scenes. Hemant and I had discussed at length the requirements of the character, physicality and dialogue delivery, it’s tone etc. during workshops. He had explained everything to me in detail.

I as an actor am always on the lookout for different characters. Then I take a lot of pain during prep to look authentic. I ask a lot of questions so that I am never confused while performing. My character was written in detail and beautifully. It’s so methodically written that the nuances of the character too were in front of me. It was written with so much clarity, I just had to follow the script and the lines and my job is done. As everything was discussed with Hemant beforehand, it was uncomplicated when we actually started shooting.

How was the feeling to shoot without make up?
I was instructed that absolutely no make up is to be used while shooting. But I am so used to applying make up during shoots that it was indigestible for me to abide by that condition. So on the first day I applied very little make up and went on sets. Hemant did not say anything and scenes were shot. So I was relieved that at least I can wear basic make up. So on the second day too, I went on sets just like the first day. That day too Hemant did not say anything. But later in the day, I received a long message from Hemant urging me to not use make up while facing the camera. What he said was very touching. He wrote, ‘Do trust me, Do not trust make up. You look fabulous on screen without make up, so go by my vision and you’ll thank me later”. I was emotional and vowed not to use any make up furthermore during the shoot. And I did thank him after I saw the film on the big screen. I learnt to be confident to face the camera without make up. So the moral of the story is that always follow your director’s instructions.

Hemant Dhome and Kshiti Jog are the director and the producer of ‘Jhimma 2’. How was it working with them?
I was at home, you can say. Hemant Dhome and Kshiti Jog are veterans, experienced and gem of people. I had met Kshiti in 2009 when I was doing ‘Navya’. We bonded there and there always was a personal connect even if we did not work together for the longest time. Now Kshiti was co-actor and producer too for me. Hemant is a dear friend too. I did his film ‘Satarcha Salman’, which actually was my first film. So he knew me from before. When he narrated the script, I was blown away by my well etched out character. So actually, this time, I was working in my home production. I have seen both of them grow as actors, producer and director. I am happy that they are in a good phase of life and I cherish their friendship.

You have worked both in Hindi and Marathi. Did you find any differences?
Acting in any language is the same. So on that count there’s no difference. The only difference is, economics. The Hindi projects are made with much grandeur but the same could not be said about Marathi serials or films. Both the fields have talented actors. Take the case of ‘Jhimma 2’. There is immense talent in the acting department. Kshiti has been working in Marathi as well as Hindi projects. Her portrayal in Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ was hugely appreciated and in both parts of Jhimma she has excelled. There are veteran actresses Suhas Joshi and Nirmiti Sawant. Their experience oozes out while performing. It’s a treat to watch them perform. The ease and confidence within them make them standout. Just watching them I try to imbibe some qualities. Watching them perform I realised that I have to go a long way as an actor. But I take it as a challenge to better myself.

Your earlier outing ‘Vaalvi’ was a superhit too. Your experience working in it?
It was a tremendous learning experience. It was like a dream project. To work with a director like Paresh Mokashi itself is an achievement. Majority of Marathi actors want to work with him and I find myself lucky to be a part of his cinema so early in my career. He is a stickler, meticulous and wants everything as per his vision. Initially I was nervous and told him that I may not be able to carry off the character he has offered me. But he assured me saying, “I am confident you can do it and that’s why you are here”. That boosted my morale as I was performing alongside powerhouse performers like Swwapnil Joshi, Anita Date and Subodh Bhave. Though my character had a grey shade, it didn’t bother me because the storyline was outstanding and I was in hands of two time National Award winner director Paresh Mokashi. I am proud to be a part of film like Vaalvi.

Shivani Surve will next be seen in a raw and rugged avatar in a bilingual film ‘After Operation London Café’ which is being made in Kannada and Marathi. It’s dubbed version in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam too will be released wherein Shivani will be reprising the role of a Naxalite.