Sunil is blessed with youthful handsome looks. A very talented artist, he has been dabbling in Theater, Television & Films. A risk taker, he introduced the concept of old plays in renewed format presented by established Directors under his Production banner Herbarium. He has been quietly making a difference. With his singing talent, he has been a Radio Host as well! Sunil is one of the finest actors in the Marathi Entertainment Industry and a prudent Producer & businessman.
- You were a Game Changer with the concept of Herbarium. What does it take to become a good Producer for Theater Plays?
Being at the right time at the right place… ‘Herbarium’ debuted at the right time. The audiences were ready to lap up treasures of bygone era and we launched Marathi theater plays that were revered by generations of the 1960-70s. The Directors that I chose and the actors who became a part of these plays were highly talented and recognized faces in the film and television circuit. The curiosity to watch these re-launched plays and to get to watch these talented artists was a great pull factor and plus the fact that these were limited edition plays only worked magic and people thronged to the theaters. Unknowingly I became a game- changer and the trend that we began is followed till date.
To answer the latter part of the question, empathy and good listening skills are very important I feel for a Producer. In my 25 years of acting experience I would feel this lack of attitude of listening to the artist’s suggestions many times. The relevance of the suggestion and whether to consider it is entirely up to the Producer or Director but in the long run, to build strong bonds and relations good listening skills go a long way. I think For a producer this is important. When I started Herbarium initiative, I made it a point to have excellent communication and relations with my team members and artists and this I feel definitely contributed to the output in creating excellent productions for my banner ‘herbarium’.
Good relationships are important and to bind a good team is important for a positive output.
- You are an Artist & also a Businessman, which role gives you a maximum high?
Maximum high that I get is undoubtedly from acting!. For an artist to portray a character and to get appreciated is a big time high. That is something magical and cannot be explained in words. The entire process of acting and saying your dialogue and to get an applause for it is phenomenal feeling.
On the other hand, Business involves risk taking and lot of expectations at the same time. The scenario today of House-full shows at theater are few and far and this certainly puts pressure for getting good returns at the box office.
- Without Experimentation there is no Innovation. Are you an Innovator?
I don’t do things for innovation. Rather I experiment and I love it. I like to research and experiment and these experiments have been fruitful and worthwhile. In the process of experimentation, it has led to being innovative and has given superb results. I am a researcher. The success of producing and re-launching of old classics on Marathi theater was a concept that became a trend and was followed by other producers who reproduced old classics and hiked the ticket prices more than conventional prevailing prices and this then became a trend of sorts. Herbarium concepts lead the way for others to follow. This experiment worked very well.
In my recent play “ Amar Photo Studio” I have moved away from the conventional set design concept of a typical drawing room and have attempted to be dynamic of movement of artists on stage, in audience and so on. So I am experimenting again and this gives me happiness. To break the conventional framework with my research and move beyond is my forte and perhaps that is what has led to innovation.
- Give any 5 emerging trends that will change the Marathi entertainment industry
– I would say that the Story concepts that are being attempted recently by the young filmmakers is exciting trend
– The use of technology in cinema and theater production is changing the ways of cinema making and presentation. Technological advancements shall play an important role in times to come
– The current music that is being composed is very interesting and quite different. Music plays an important part in cinema especially.
– The ways and methods of PR & Publicity are aggressive and newer ways of reaching to the audiences are being tried out. This was not the case during our times where reluctance to publicity was prevalent. Artists today are much more aware and keen to seek new ways of PR & Publicity to promote themselves and their projects.
– There is immense scope for the younger generation and their exposure to the world cinema will take our industry ahead. More importantly, rather than only talking about new aspects, they are actually getting executed and this will certainly take the industry far ahead in times to come.
- The person you admire the most?
My list would certainly be more than one .
– The immediate name of course is Vinay Apte who has been a huge influencer in my life. He was the one who taught me acting and reacting and movements and so on . He was a keen learner who liked to being up-to-date with the newer technology.
– Raju Hirani who I admire tremendously because he knows exactly what the audiences wants and gives far ahead of plain entertainment. He is a wonderful editor, director and a story teller.
– Of the younger lot, I admire Nipun Dharmadhikari, Kshitij Patwardhan, Sameer Vidhwans, Jitendra Joshi & Hemant Dhome. They are people to look out for and I believe they will be instrumental in changing the trends of Marathi entertainment industry and am very positive about them.
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