Bhubaneswar: An established theatre artiste, Sharman Joshi made a foray into Indian film industry in 1999. He has worked on and directed stage productions in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati, but we know him best for his two iconic movies, ‘Rang De Basanti’ (2006) and ‘3 Idiots’ (2009).
He made his acting debut with ‘Godmother’ in the year 1999.
After Golmaal (2006), Life in a… Metro (2007), Ferrari Ki Sawaari (2012), Hate Story 3 (2015), 1920 London (2016) and Wajah Tum Ho, Sharman will now be seen in ‘Kashi in Search of Ganga’, in which he is playing the lead role.
The trailer of Kashi….. was screened at the recent Odisha Literary Festival in the odisha capital in the presence of Sharman and writer of the film Manish Kishore.
“The audience demands variety,” said Manish, adding that he was open to making all kinds of movies as long as these attract the audience.
Sharman obliged the gathering of young people, who welcomed him with the loudest cheer, by delivering dialogues from his movies, ‘3 Idiots’, ‘Dhol’, ‘Golmaal’ and ‘Kashi in Search of Ganga’.
After the panel discussion, Sharman shared his experience of working in the movie and vignettes from his career with Odisha Bytes.
Your role in the movie, ‘Kashi in Search of Ganga’ is different from your other movies. How would you define it?
The nature of the story is very complex. The lead character is Kashi and the city in which he lives is also called Kashi and his is in search of his missing sister, Ganga. The film is entirely set in Benaras. I have a unique role in the movie.
How did you prepare for the role?
I had to prepare a lot as this is the first time that I am playing a character whose job is to perform the last rites of the dead. I didn’t know much about the community, so I spent some time in Benaras, learned about them and also picked up the dialect.
I had to work on my physical appearance also.
Tell us something about your experience while shooting the film.
It was exciting but also a little challenging for me. It was extremely hot on the sets in Benaras. Then we went to Mussoorie, where the weather was cold.
From your debut film ‘Godmother’ to ‘Kashi in Search of Ganga’, how has been the journey?
I always follow my father Arvind Joshi’s footprint, as he is also an actor. I am the second generation in the film industry, so, I did not face many obstacles.
Which is your next movie?
You will see me next in ‘Babloo Bachelor’, a romantic comedy, with Sonalee Kulkarni and Tejashri Pradhan.
What is your favourite food?
I like Indian food like Punjabi, chicken Makhanwala and butter roti.
Your hobbies?
Reading, travelling and watching movies.
Will you be interested to act in an Odia movie?
Why not? If I get a chance, I would love to work in the Odisha film industry.
Are you interested in politics?
No, not at all.
What is your message for budding actors?
Do what you want to do. Work hard from the bottom of your heart. It is very difficult to survive in the film industry. Prepare for all the hardships. To get a breakthrough, you need hard work. It is a performing art. You have to perform. Connections do not always work.
‘Kashi in search of Ganga’ has been directed by Dheeraj Kumar and debutant Aishwarya Devan plays the female lead. Govind Namdev, Akhilendra Mishra, Manoj Joshi, Manoj Pawha and Priyanka play crucial roles in the suspense thriller.
The film will hit theatres on October 26.
