It was a proud moment for the Marathi film industry and the audience when a popular actor and son of an ace director-actor-producer, Mahesh Kothare, Adinath Kothare got on board with the ensemble cast of Kabir Khan's sports drama '83'. He joined the league and portrayed one of the 14 players of the 1983 Indian Cricket team, Dilip Vengsarkar, and joined hands to make the Indians all over the world relive the glorious moment when India lifted the Cricket World Cup for the first time. ETimes reached out to the actor-director to know how it was shooting for the film, staying away from his family, meeting the cricket legends in person, and his first association with Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Kabir Khan, and the entire star cast of the film. Excerpts from the interview:
How was it portraying Dilip Vengsarkar onscreen, and how was the journey of '83' for you?
It was a surreal experience. Especially (since) someone of my generation who would have never got to interact with these legends and gods of cricket like (Dilip)Vengsarkar, Kapil Dev, (Sunil) Gavaskar, etc. Because of this film, we are blessed to interact with them and be with them. We actually used to hang out with these people during our training session and they used to share their anecdotes. Again the great team of Kabir Khan, Ranveer Singh, and the fabulous cast of '83', each of them is an amazing person. It's been one of the great and unforgettable journeys.
Go on..
Shooting for '83' was an insane experience. First of all, what these 14 boys (1983 Indian cricket team) achieved was unimaginable. In today's time, it was like Afghanistan winning the world cup. They were the underdogs and no one had any hopes from them. They were just a bunch of 14 boys with dreams in their eyes. The win was not just a great incident in the history of Indian cricket but it was an important incident in the history of India as that just not changed the face of India but changed the face of India in front of the world. It brought India into the limelight and in the lead. Not just in cricket, but the win was a socio-political turnaround. And that all happened post-India won the 1983 World Cup and that we all need to remember and celebrate. This film does the exact same as it celebrates, revisits, and makes you relive that moment. The reason why making '83' was important and to make people witness this victory is important was when the match happened, there was no means to watch the match live. I think only the last two matches were telecast live in India for the first time because of these 14 great players.
How was it meeting Kapil Dev in person?
Meeting Kapil Dev was just amazing. He is so humble, vibrant and full of energy and thus no other man than Ranveer would have played his character because the energies complement each other. Also, his daughter Ameya Dev was a part of the direction team so they were like family to us.
Like many others, did you dream of playing for the Indian cricket team?
There is an irony around this. I used to love cricket in school and college days and I really aspired to play for some big team, but I never got that opportunity and I never made it. I went for a selection twice at Dilip Vengsarkar's academy, but I got rejected both the time and look at the irony today I am playing his role on screen. This was an amazing turn of fate and we never know what's lined up for us in life.
How did the role of Dilip Vengsarkar happen to you?
I had just finished shooting for my directorial debut 'Paani' wherein I also play the protagonist. I had lost almost 10 kg, was tanned, had a moustache as the changes were necessary for the character that I shot for. I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra's office and I went there and auditioned for an ad film. While I was leaving, one of the assistants stopped me saying that I was looking different. Later he said, your look will not suit the ad film but they had something different for which they can cast me. I asked him what it was and he took me to a cabin and showed me a video clip of the announcement of the 1983 film, where Kabir and Ranveer had hosted an event that was graced by the original 1983 players. And Dilip Vengsarkar was saying a few words on the mic. The assistant instantly asked me whether I can imbibe his body language, his talking style. I rehearse for 10-15 mins and give the audition. The very next day I got a call about my selection and I went on to meet Kabir sir in the office. I did my homework, read about the 83 World Cup and Dilip sir. I also did my cardio and went to the gym to look all sharp. And when I met him, I was in for a surprise as Kabir sir was so chilled out, he is so humble and down to earth. It was an amazing interaction and he narrated the entire script. He also told me how the film is not just on Kapil Dev but the entire team, and how each one had their own moments, and contributed to the win. I was blown away by the entire conversation. We chatted for at least an hour and then he said ‘welcome on board.
While working for '83', did you feel that you were shooting for a film or playing on the ground?
If you are doing something which you are really passionate about, it doesn't seem like work. It feels like you are in love with that work. It was a 'loved' feeling!
How was Adinath on the first day of the shoot and how was he on the last? Did you see a change in yourself?
I was very nervous on the first day and the nervous energy had reduced with each passing day, no doubt. But I will say every actor is a bit edgy, anxious when he is put in on an ensemble set up and this was for the first time in my life where I was doing a film with an ensemble cast set up. There were several questions running through my mind, on how things will pan out gradually, how will everyone get along with me, how will I be with all, how comfortable is everything going to be? And shooting with established actors and a director like Kabir Khan... But, at the same time, there was a lot of excitement. And I am sure, everyone must have experienced this kind of feeling to some degree before it all started. But for Kabir Khan the film was not just about one character, he wanted the bonding for which the production team did as they arranged for a boot camp of 10 days at Dharamshala in Himachal. That was the ice breaker as for the first time the entire team of '83' had come together. But as the shoot moved further, we got comfortable and we were also helping out each other with lines and that was beautiful. I think that was the most beautiful experience of my life because I had never stayed away from home for such long duration as we were shooting for three months in the UK away from family with a bunch of friends whom I had just met. But that made us gel well actually. We got to know each other better. We were the only family we had at that point in the UK and we really helped and were there for each other and that bonding has been translated into celluloid and that's what makes the film magical.
How did it feel when you wore an Indian cricket jersey and got into the character?
It was amazing. The first time when I got in the get-up of Dilip Vengsarkar, it was amazing and what was even more amazing was when we all were in the get-up and all of us were standing together. That moment! When we all stood as an Indian cricket team it was an extremely emotional moment for us.
It was your first association with Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, how was it?
Ranveer is an amazing person to work with. He is a hardworking actor and he is also an amazing team player. He is a secure actor who makes everyone around him comfortable. Despite being a star, he is extremely compassionate and has an infectious energy that helps and eases the pressure and it is very necessary for an ensemble team. The real captain was Kabir Khan and the reel captain was Ranveer Singh. And working with Ranveer was extremely enriching. Not just Ranveer but the entire team.
While on the other hand Deepika is like a breath of fresh air and just like Ranveer, is a ball of energy. She compliments him so well. Once when Deepika came on the sets in the get up of Romy Dev and Ranveer was standing next to us. Looking at her he just dropped on the floor as if her looks had killed him (laughs) and indeed she was looking beautiful and the couple (Ranveer and Deepika) are made for each other. And their chemistry and bonding created the same magic onscreen just as Kapil sir and Romy ma'am.
