Marathi actress Varsha Usgaonkar will be conferred the ‘Krutadnyata’ award during Marathi Film Festival for her contribution in Marathi film industry. In a conversation with NT BUZZ, Varsha shares how she has identified herself throughout her journey in Marathi industry and what she misses about Goa.
SACHI NAIK | NT BUZZ
Q. How do you feel receiving the Krutadnyata award this year?
I feel great because it is an award that I am receiving from Goa, which is my native place. Now, I’m even more enthusiastic to work harder and contribute more to the film industry. A month ago, I received a call from Dnyanesh Moghe who informed me about the award. It was nice to hear something like that because the Marathi Film Festival has a lot of significance and everybody looks forward to it. Until now, the atmosphere of Marathi films in Goa was not convincing. People would wait for Hindi films, but hardly anyone would wait to watch Marathi movies. Marathi Film Festival has created awareness of Marathi cinema in Goa and people who like to watch it are able to do so very easily.
Q. Tell us something about your journey in Marathi film industry.
My journey in Marathi film industry has been very fulfilling because I played many strong women roles. Earlier, people identified me as a modern Marathi girl. When I entered Marathi films, they said that there was a lack of glamour in this industry and I was part of glamourising the industry. However it was not just glamour, it was glamour with substance. It was not just about the looks or dance performances, but about the quality of roles that I played.
‘Gammat Jammat’ was my first film and it became a super hit. I never looked back after that movie. Besides, I feel if we had today’s techniques and the reach of media, our films would also have been global. Marathi cinema has given me a lot of confidence and it has added to my self esteem. It has given me a name. Whatever I am today, I definitely credit it to the Marathi film industry.
Q. You have played a number of roles with substance. Has the industry helped you grow as woman of substance personally as well?
When you deliver the dialogues, initially you simply say them; but then you start thinking beyond those dialogues. That was the thing Marathi cinema did to me. I identified with many roles that I played. It gave me my expression. While acting, I had to be in someone else’s shoe. I had to be in that character and I had to think what that character thinks in a particular situation. In real life you may not go through many situations. In films things are imaginary but still you learn something out of it, as it makes you ‘think’. So, in a way Marathi cinema helped me identify myself.
Q. How was your journey in Hindi film industry?
My journey in Hindi film industry was good as well. I received a lot of respect because of my work in the Marathi industry. I have done around thirty films in Hindi. I have played prominent roles in films like Saathi, Tirangaa, Honeymoon, Ghar Jamai among others.
Q. What do you prefer: Marathi or Hindi?
Well, I choose films on the basis of the roles I’m offered. I do not look at it as a Hindi or Marathi film. But I always have an affinity towards Marathi films because that is how I started my career. That is where I have achieved my name and fame. So naturally, I have more affection for Marathi films.
Q. In the earlier days, very few Goans chose acting as a career. When you made the decision, were there any major challenges faced, from the home or any other quarters?
I didn’t face any problem from home. My family supported me. But yes, there were some problems outside. Once, one of my mother’s friends while on a visit asked me about my future plans. I said I want to become a heroine. She was shocked. She thought that perhaps I was joking. So when she asked my mother, “Is she serious?”, and my mother clarified my aim of becoming a film star, she remained shocked. This incident itself represents a point of view of the society. In those times, it was very unusual because girls would normally get married after graduation and settle down. It was okay for a girl from Bombay to opt for such a career, but any girl going out of her way and migrating to Bombay just to get into films was unheard of! Besides, that kind of atmosphere was not prevalent in Goa. Goans loved to watch films but they never thought of it as a career. There was also a notion that the people who could not become doctors, engineers or anything serious in life, got into films. People didn’t value the career at all. Today, that mentality has changed completely. Films are now respected as a profession.
Q. How has the Marathi cinema evolved over the years, in regards to the themes and subjects?
Techniques and subjects have changed a lot. When I entered, comedy films and social message based films were dominant. But today action, love story, science fiction genres are also being touched upon in the Marathi industry. Earlier no one would want to take the risk. Also, in those times, audience were prepared to watch different subjects in Hindi, but not in Marathi. It’s different today. Now the audience are mentally prepared and young directors and film makers are giving audience what they want!
Q. What is your opinion of Konkani film industry?
Earlier, very few people came up with Konkani movies; those were just baby steps. People were not ready to see the movies in their own local language and they felt it odd. But slowly, people changed the trend and people like Rajendra Talak have taken efforts to contribute to Konkani cinema. Contemporary subjects, colloquial language, cultural settings have impacted Konkani film industry a lot. I am of the opinion that any regional cinema has to be regional, it cannot imitate Bollywood. Konkani cinema is slowly emerging and it has now reached a point where it can sustain itself.
Q. What do you miss the most about Goa?
Quality of life is what I miss the most about Goa! Living in Goa is a real life. Natural beauty, refreshing air, peaceful surroundings is what I miss. Ofcourse, Mumbai has given me a lot. It keeps you on your toes; you have to be competitive, running and ambitious. But I miss that tranquillity in Goa. I miss Goan food, my bangado. Infact, I also miss talking in Konkani.
Q. What are your future plans?
I want to be able to sing well. I don’t want to pursue a career in singing as much, but I want to sing well. I want to complete my grades in Kathak which I left earlier. I want to learn contemporary dances. I also want to do some substantial roles in films. I want to direct and also want to get connected to theatre. So, there are many plans for future but not all can get fulfilled. Some plans or dreams always remain unfulfilled.