Satish Kaushik learns Marathi for new film

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) After having acted in over 70 films and directed at least 13, Satish Kaushik says he has now got something new to add to his portfolio. He has learnt Marathi for his new film "City of Gold".

"My role in the movie is not very important, but the script drew me and I wanted to be a part of the film. I play a property dealer and I'm very happy with my character...my look in totality," Kaushik told IANS.

"This role is very different from the roles that I have portrayed till now. It is performance-driven and gives a very real touch to my character. The best part is that I learnt Marathi for my role...Which is something new that has got added to my portfolio now," he added.

Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, "City of Gold" releases Friday in Hindi and Marathi and is based on the plight of Mumbai mill workers after they lost their means of livelihood in the 1980s. It is also an account of the birth of Mumbai's crime underbelly.

"The film focuses on the turbulence of the 80's when the mills were shut down to build multiplexes in Mumbai. It's an attempt to bring out their saga, their condition when their lives were shattered," Kaushik said.

Besides Kaushik, the film also features Sachin Khedekar, Seema Biswas and Anusha Dandekar.

Kaushik, who has received critical acclaim for his performance in films like "Brick Lane" and "Road, Movie", says Bollywood is now more than willing to try out different kinds of cinema.

"It's a good and bright period for cinema as the audience is growing and is well educated. Indian cinema has a different way of putting across the point which is being accepted and welcomed by international platforms also. It's a path-breaking time for Indian cinema... we are going global with our approach and so are the movies. Filmmakers, actors and audiences are all heading towards an intelligent and intellectual approach," he said.

The actor-director pointed out that the definition of the hero has changed in Bollywood over the years.

"It is happening and it's happening for the good. In the 1970's and 80's and even part of the 90's, an actor had to be good-looking and know how to dance, but now there is a change in the definition. Today heroes are just like you and me... this has brought in the concept that a hero is a common man and not unbeatable. Actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak and Abhay Deol make us believe in this," Kaushik said.

Since he is a director himself, does he give his inputs to the filmmaker while he is acting too?

"I believe in practising one thing at a time. When I am acting I leave it to the director and not interfere in their vision by giving my inputs at all," he said.

"Mahesh has done a great job (in 'City of Gold'). He has a strong vision as he is from theatre too. He knows how to bring out the character with all the dramatic elements," Kaushik added.

His upcoming projects include "Tere Sang", which focuses on teenage pregnancy, "Milenge Milenge" that stars Kareena Kapoor and "Mr. India-2".

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City of Gold