Sachin Khedekar “I am sidelined in Hindi films”

In this freewheeling interview, Sachin Khedekar tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that he is happy that he has been able to work with seven first time directors this year.

What is Baap Janma all about?
Baap Janma revolves around the tale of a father and his son. In our pursuit of our own ambitions in life, we often tend to lose out on precious time with our families when our kids are young. You realize this the first time only when you realize that your kids have moved far away from you. I am good to my kids but do not know why my son is away from me in the film.

To what extent did you rely on your experience as hands on father?
I relied quite a lot on my own experiences. You time yourself whenever you give dates for a new project and also see to it that your participate in your kids’ school days and functions. When you are a father, you realize your responsibilities. You have to be a friendly parent, not a friend to your kids.

Why?
I feel there should be a sort of demarcation between you and your kids in the sense that you should be able to go to their level and try your level best to understand their problems. In that way, I would say that the film Baap Janma is very much a ‘today’ film.

To what extent, did you identify with your character in the film?
As an actor, I too feel that I have a lot of mystery about myself. The social media has been a disadvantage as people gauge you from what you post.

You played a very understanding father in Murabba. In what way is your role different in Baap Janma?
I am hardly an understanding father in Baap Janma. I have had not one but three releases this year. They were Murabba, Kachcha Limbu and now Baap Janma. Nipun Dharmadhikari who has directed Baap Janma also felt that I should look quite different in Baap Janma. Vikram Gaekwad suggested my look which had pain on his face and a lot of grey hair. There is a lot of intrigue, humor and pain in the character of Bhaskar Pandit that I play in the film Baap Janma.

How happy are you with the way your career has shaped till date as an actor?
I have acted in 100 odd films in the last 30 years, out of which 70 have been in Hindi and 30 in Marathi. I feel happy though not completely satisfied. I am happy that in recent times, I have had the opportunity to work with young first time directors like say Nipun Dharmadhikari

How is Nipun Dharmadhikari?
Nipun in excellent. He had earlier directed web series though Baap Janma is his first film. The best thing about him is that even in a serious situation he sees the underlying humor.

What do you find in first time directors?
The new generation does not come with any emotional baggage because they are flexible. I may have reflexes about a senior actor like Vikram Gokhale but the new directors do not let you fall in nostalgia.

You seem to be the only known face in a film like Baap Janma.
I’d rather humbly say that I am the only outsider in the film which has actors who have worked with Nipun in his web series as well as plays.

You get sidelined in Hindi films. Why?
In recent times, I have been part of films like Poster Boys, Judwaa 2 and Golmaal Again as far as Hindi is concerned. The year has been remarkable in that sense. If I am sidelined in Hindi, it is only because in Hindi films the stars rule and even for the supporting roles, they want big stars. For a father’s role, I have to fight for space with Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Rishi Kapoor and Boman Irani. If none of the above is available, I am considered for the role and there is a long queue in front of me. Yes. I admit that I am limited to stock characters in Hindi films.

Why do you still prefer to be a part and parcel of Hindi films ?
I know I am capable of more in Hindi films. That is because I feel that though I am not being given my due in Hindi films, I have to be there in circulation if I have to be visible. I only fight of the length of my role in an A set up in a Hindi film. Only if I act in star studded films in Hindi, will I get my audiences.

What next?
Take Care Good Night directed by Girish Joshi which is about the internet is my next release. Though I have been approached by a couple of film makers to act in their web series, I have declined the offers because I did not like the subjects.