Ritesh Deshmukh's Big Interview

His father’s son

Or

The more obsessed you are with Power the more drawn you’re to it.

 Afsana Ahmed

In an exclusive chat Ritesh Deshmukh reveals his political game plan; also talks about tilting power, his family with his father and the future of Marathi films

Having spent a year quietly grieving the loss of his father (Vilasrao Deshmukh) and drawing sustenance from solitude Ritesh Deshmukh is gradually bouncing back. While he understands that life is no more the same for him, the actor just cannot treat it any differently as far as work is concerned. He has to wear makeup, laugh, cry and just go about entertaining people. “I feel grief doesn’t change you, it simply reveals”, says the actor as he sets to step out of his hibernation to entertain the audience.

His next film Grand Masti2, the adult comedy is in the theatres next week. But what is more exciting for the actor who has immensely popularized such comedy genre is his next Marathi production Lai Bhaari. This comes after the widely appreciated film Balak Palak. Salman Khan makes his Marathi film debute in a special appearance in this film.   

Even as Ritesh is jets in and out of the city for the promotional tours, he grabs time to talk about the larger issues in his life now.

 It is the rule of life that it always tilts towards power. With your father (former Maharatra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh) no more around you, do you feel a difference in people's attitude? BOX
I'm sure you are right when you say everything tilts towards power but that also depends on how one looks at power. The more obsessed you are the more drawn you get to it. I'm glad that I have no such attraction to it. When it comes to me, thanks to the goodwill that my father, my family and I have always been at the receiving end of a lot of unconditional love and hence even today I see no difference in people’s attitude towards me be it from the film industry or in politics. If you are sincere and true to your work you will be respected. And for me Respect is Power. 

You’ve just stepped out of your hibernation. Any lesson you've learnt from this period of reflection?
 Do good deeds - they last longer than a lifetime

Has your father’s sudden death unexpectedly prepared you for the bigger picture…the big plunge into politics?
When it comes to politics, there’s never a certain yes or a no to any situation. I have often been asked the same thing by many – about me actively joining politics. As of now, I just want to carry on the work that my father believed in, in whatever small capacity that I can.

How well has Genelia (a Catholic) adjusted to the Maharastrian culture around her? Has she visited your extended family's house in Latur and Mumbai? What are their take on Genelia?
I must say that I am really proud of my wife. It’s not just her, but both of us have blended very well with each other’s families and extended families. We often go back to my home town and we love spending time there. We feel blessed to be showered with love and respect every time we go there.

Do you feel that you have been typecast in adult comedy roles and therefore only such offers come your way? We haven't really seen you aggressively exploring other kind of roles, say a romantic or an action?
Comedy as a genre is the one that has given me maximum success and I do broadly get associated with this genre. I thoroughly enjoy comedy especially because it is inherent to my personality.
Having said that, I’ve had Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya with Genelia recently which was a romantic film. I've worked with different kinds of genres and essayed different roles. Right from Naach, Bluffmaster, Rann, Darna Zaroori Hai to Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya - I've pretty much spanned almost every major genre. I am doing a film that's more serious this year. Thankfully I’m getting offers that continue to let me explore genres other than comedy.

PG 2

Marathi cinema has some of the most incredible visionaries

Today, what do you hold as the most important thing in your life?
Nothing is more important to me than my family - my mother, my wife, my brothers and sister in laws and my little nephew.

 What is the usual cuisine at Deshmukh family's house? Who cooks? What's your favorite food?
We make typical Maharashtrian food at home. My mother oversees the preparation and the menu everyday and she has been following this system even before my time. I absolutely love the mutton sukka that she makes.

Does Genelia cook? Pull quote
I have actually asked Genelia to wait for me. After I’m done with all my commitments, I want take a month off and want learn cooking with her. I think it’s a great way to spend time together and learn something new.

Who according to you is the best cook in the world? Pull quote
No one can beat my mother when it comes to cooking and I’m sure every child will say that. Mothers always rock!

How is the relationship between Genelia and your mother? Are they friends or they share a cordial mother daughter relationship?
Their relationship is more like a mother and a daughter- she had 3 sons now she has 3 daughters.

5 best friends BOX

 Genelia - She is my closest friend and my strongest support system. She's one person I discuss everything with and I really value her opinion.  I would be lost without this friend.

Karan Johar - A cup of coffee with him will go on for hours talking about various things under the sun

Sajid Khan - He has an incredible energy to make you laugh, irrespective of the mood you are in.

Ashish Choudhry - He is all heart. And he will be there for you unconditionally.

Abhishek Bachchan - I feel a brotherly bond with him. In many ways I feel we are similar to each other.

 You've dabbled into production and have already released one film. What's your vision for films under your banner MFC?

Mumbai Film Company for me is the realization of a dream that I had quite a few years ago - of presenting, supporting and promoting a certain kind of cinema that I believe in - regardless of what it's language of communication would be. I embarked on this journey and absolutely enjoyed by putting my faith behind a fantastic little Marathi film called Balak Palak that threw light on the importance of sex education.
Currently I'm producing and acting in an action drama - a Marathi film called Lai Bhaari directed by Nishikant Kamath.
By next year, I would be looking at producing Hindi films too. The choices of films that I make as a producer and as an actor are completely different and am truly enjoying this new phase in my life too.


Do you have a bigger plan for the Marathi film industry? Or is it just your production?
Ever since I started working in films, I’ve always had it within me to do something for my Marathi cinema as well. The great thing about Marathi cinema is that a lot of their stories are so progressive and ahead of their time. And their success makes you realize that our audiences are ready for new age and interesting content. Strangely Hindi being a bigger film industry doesn't give enough confidence to makers to take such chances but things are changing for the better now. For now, I’m focusing on production mainly, but I will act in films that I am excited about. Let’s see what the future has in store.

 What is the immediate requirement for the Marathi film industry?
The fact that Marathi films today have a formidable market has been proved recently by 2 films - Balak Palak that did great business at the BO at the start of the year and then Duniyadari which has collected more than 22 crores and is still running. We need 4 films a year with such collections for the industry to consolidate its foothold into the theaters and generate loyalty amongst Marathi film viewing audience for whom watching Hindi films are preferred over watching Marathi. Marathi cinema has some of the most incredible visionaries who are attached to various projects and hence audiences will be assured of great content moving forward. All we hope is for consistent support and the industry be golden!

Ten years down the line where do you see yourself?

Honestly, a decade is too long to plan. I look forward to the coming year in terms of acting and production as I have a lot of interesting things I’m part of.  I’m putting my best foot forward to ensure that we’re able to achieve all that we’ve set out to do. On a personal and professional note, eventually only two things matter – Satisfaction and happiness and thankfully I’ve been blessed with both. I hope to feel the same even ten years from now.