शाहरुख फिल्मों के बारे में नहीं सोचते थे: रेणुका शहाणे बोलीं- टीवी के बड़े स्टार थे, उन्हें देखने हजारों की भीड़ जुटती थी

Renuka Shahane started her acting journey from theatre. After watching the play ‘Andher Nagari’, his inclination towards theatre.

Starting acting from theatre, leaving PhD to make acting a career, experience of working in ‘Circus’ with Shahrukh Khan, new innings of direction and outspoken opinion on social media. While talking to Dainik Bhaskar, Renuka Shahane shared many stories from her career, which show that she gave more importance to good work than popularity.

Question: How did your acting journey begin? Did you dream of becoming an actress since childhood?

answer: no way. I was studying Psychology at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. A play ‘Andher Nagari’ was to be staged in the college. I was a part of the music group, so I went to provide background vocals.

There, for the first time, I saw a play being prepared from script to stage. That process impressed me so much that I decided I wanted to be a part of theatre. At that time I did not dream of becoming an actress, but I fell in love with theatre.

Renuka Shahane told that thousands of people used to gather on the sets of ‘Circus’ to see Shahrukh Khan.

Question: Then how did you get the opportunity to join theatre?

answer: My mother’s friend Pandit Satyadev Dubey used to visit our house often. Every time he used to ask me, ‘Will you act?’ And I used to refuse. But after the college experience, when he came again and asked the same question, for the first time I said, ‘Yes, I will.’ After this, I did workshops with him, did experimental Marathi theater and the journey started from there.

Question: You also did MA in Clinical Psychology. Then why didn’t you do PhD?

answer: My intention was to do PhD only. After MA in Clinical Psychology, I did the serial ‘Circus’. At the same time, director Aziz Mirza told me, ‘Don’t look back now, leave your PhD. You should move forward in acting only.

Accepted his words. After that I got the offer of ‘Surbhi’ and life took a new turn.

Question: How was the experience of working with Shahrukh Khan during ‘Circus’?

answer: Spectacular. At that time Shahrukh was not thinking about films. He enjoyed working in television. But his popularity was tremendous even then. ‘Fauji’ had arrived and people were crazy about him. Where we used to shoot, a crowd of 10-20 thousand people used to gather to see him. It was then that I realized that there was something different about him.

The TV show ‘Circus’ was aired on Doordarshan in 1989.

Question: Did you think then that he would become such a big superstar?

answer: Probably no one had thought that he would become a superstar. But it was definitely felt that his charisma is different from other artists. And not just charisma, his way of working is also amazing. Even today his energy, discipline and work ethics are the same. There is a lot to learn from them.

Question: Why are deep stories not being made on TV today like before?

answer: Earlier there were weekly shows, so a lot of hard work was done on the story. Today is the era of daily soaps. With so many episodes to be made every month, it’s not easy to maintain the same level of depth. Still, I give credit to the writers and the entire team that they are continuously entertaining people. I still feel that good weekly shows should return.

Question: After acting, you have also moved towards direction, what new are you doing in direction now?

answer: I have recently made a short film named ‘Tarpan’, in which I directed my husband Ashutosh Rana for the first time. We both were a little nervous in the beginning, but the experience was wonderful. Ashutosh is such a great actor that directing him was a learning experience for me.

Renuka Shahane and Ashutosh Rana were married on 25 May 2001.

Question: Where did you get the inspiration for direction from?

answer: I assisted Dr. Vijaya Mehta. While working with him, I observed the direction process closely. I thought I didn’t have a film school degree, but what I learned from him was my greatest education. It was then that I decided that one day I would write and direct my own stories.

Question: The number of women directors in the film industry is still less. What do you think is the reason for this?

answer: I think the biggest reason for this is economic confidence. Even if a male director has given many flop films, people are still ready to invest money on them. But such trust is less seen in the case of women. Things are changing, but there is a need to increase the number of women behind the camera.

Question: If your biopic is made, which aspect of your life should be shown the most in it?

answer: I feel that my life as a good mother and good citizen is more important. People may not consider it very glamorous, but these are the most important roles for the society.

Renuka Shahane said that an artist’s identity is determined by his work, not just by social media.

Question: Today there is a lot of pressure on social media and likes. How do you see it?

answer: Maybe it is easy for me because till date I have not got work because of social media. I have always got work because of work. Secondly, I am a character actor, so there is no pressure to look perfect all the time. Social media is a good medium, but if we leave our happiness and confidence at the mercy of likes, it will not be right. Ultimately, recognition comes from your work, not just social media.

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Relationships become beautiful if mother-in-law becomes mother: Renuka Shahane said – otherwise son and husband will get into fights between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

In the Marathi web series ‘Agan Aayi Aho Aayi’, Renuka Shahane is playing the role of a mother who believes in strengthening relationships. In a conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, he told what is the meaning of ‘Agan Aayi’ and ‘Aho Aayi’, how perceptions regarding mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships can change, why families are breaking up and what emotions a mother goes through after her daughter’s marriage.Read the full interview…