Where is Sadashiv Amrapurkar these days? The man who carved out a very special image of the villain with films like Sadak , Ardh Satya and Aakhri Raasta seemed to have everything going for him. And then he disappeared. “After working for nearly 25 to 30 years in films and playing the same roles with the same artistes and with the same situations, I was bored and tired and I took a break. Personally, I think an artiste should take a break and come out of the shell. I travelled the whole world and also covered the length and breadth of India, mingled with the public to know what they think about my work and the kind of roles they would like me to play in the future. Every artiste should do this,” he says. He took a two-year break. Now, he is back in the public eye with Shobha Somnath Ki on Zee TV.
Dressed a dhoti with loads of jewellery, Amrapurkar has grown his hair long and is ready to talk about his latest role and also his long innings in the film industry.
“The moment I heard the story I thought it is a historic show and completely different. I will be playing the character of a tantric. Though I do not believe in the tantar-mantar ,as artistes we have to do magic with whatever is thrown at us.”
Amrapurkar is happy being on television, which he finds challenging in its own way. “TV serials have taken a big leap. They are viewed in more than 160 countries. On television you are in front of the audience for nearly a year or two on a daily basis and you get only half an hour to show your brilliance and impress the audience. I feel it is more challenging.”
On films, he says, “Films have their own charm. Films are often remembered for a long time though they run for only some weeks, whereas serials are like daily newspapers; each new day there is a new episode.”
Amrapurkar says he is ready to mould himself according to the directors' vision. “I do not have to prepare too much for a role. The directors and writers do the preparation, I only have to perform and give my best.” Among his commercial films, however, he refuses to name his favourites. “It is only the audience who tell me about my performance and memorable roles. When my fans speak to me about my roles in certain films I really feel proud.” While he might be a household name for his negative roles in mainstream Hindi cinema, the actor considers his portrayal of Lokmanya Tilak and Jyotiba Phule as his most memorable.
All that is in the past. Sadashiv Amrapurkar is now geared up for a long innings in Shobha Somnath Ki , which will be aired on Zee TV from June 20, at 8 p.m., Monday to Friday.
