‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose – The Forgotten Hero’ special in my career; could play a national character: Sachin Khedekar

Pune, 9th April 2023: Well-known actor Sachin Khedekar, who has been working in Marathi and Hindi industry for four decades, recollected that the film ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose – The Forgotten Hero’ was special in his career as he could play a national-character in the film helmed by noted filmmaker Shyam Benegal.

Khedekar was in conversation with noted compeer Rajesh Damle at Keshavbaug on DP Road on Saturday April 8 after he received the ‘Nilu Phule Sanman’ during the concluding day of Kalarang Mahotsav organized by Belvalkar Sanskrutik Manch and conceptualized by Rajesh Damle. Veteran film-maker Dr Jabbar Patel, Nilu’s Phule’s daughter Gargi Phule-Thatte, his son-in-law Omkar Thatte, Sameer Belvalkar and Ajit Belvalkar of Belvalkar Sanskurtik Manch were present on the occasion.

“The film ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose – The Forgotten Hero’ came as a big transition in my career. It was indeed challenging to portray the role of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and to study the character. Before this film, I had worked for 15 years, but this film changed me as an actor.  This film gave me everything and hence it is a special one in my career. I was a patriot but through this film I could play a national character,” Khedekar recalled.

“This film also gave me a new understanding of the industry that I was working in,” he quipped. The film based on the life of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was released on May 13, 2005.

During the 90-minute odd interaction, Khedekar also said he stopped working in television series as it hindered his growth as an actor.

“Even if people miss the daily soaps for a month, they still know what is happening in the serial. Working in daily soaps hinders growth and hence I stopped working in it,” Khedekar said.

Khedekar also recalled the contributions and impact of directors Waman Kendre, Vinay Apte, Sai Paranjape, Chandrakant Kulkarni in his career.

“Vinay Apte is my ‘Guru’, whatever I am is because of him. He taught me how to use voice. I got to know about the areas where I need command. His contribution is immense,” Khedekar said.