Acing the improv game
Pushpa: The Rise,
Actor Shreyas Talpade has been juggling several hats of late as he has his hands full with Bollywood films and Marathi cinema, as well as dubbing for iconic characters. The Free Press Journal got into a candid chat with the busy actor.
The audience saw a different side to Shreyas in 2022 when he dubbed for Allu Arjun in the Hindi version of
Pushpa: The Rise. The actor admits he himself was surprised when he got the offer but it was one enjoyable ride for him.
Shreyas shares, “There were a lot of improvisations we did during the dubbing sessions for
Pushpa.
Originally, the literal translation of Allu Arjun’s famous dialogue was ‘Pushpa jayega nahin’. But to make it more impactful, we made it ‘Pushpa jhukega nahin’ and the next thing you know, it has become a rage!”
He continues, “Similarly, the iconic ‘Flower nahin, fire hai main’ dialogue did not exist in the original film. Instead of literal translation, we improvised it into something that retains the essence of the character but is also memorable for the audience.”
Shreyas will soon be seen as India’s former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming directorial venture Emergency.
Opening up about it, he explains, “My main focus was that I don't play him in a caricaturish manner. I didn’t want to just mimic him, I wanted to make sure that it looks as natural and dignified as he was. We have grown up watching him and loving him. And we all know that he had this peculiar style and flair to him, which I have definitely tried to get right, but in a subtle and more realistic manner.”
Shreyas also cannot help but heap praise on Kangana. “I was quite surprised to see the control and clarity she had on the script and on the set.
She
Shreyas Talpade talks about the iconic dialogues of working with Kangana Ranaut in Emergency, and more knew exactly what she wanted from each actor. And because the director was so prepared, the entire shoot began and wrapped up as smoothly as it can be. When you have such a clear and passionate director, you automatically end up giving your best,” he gushes.
Shreyas also has another film called Game of Girgit in his kitty, which is based on the lines of the dangerous ‘Blue Whale challenge’ that had gone viral a few years back. He also has another project with Huma Qureshi and one with Sohum Shah.
Apart from all these Hindi projects, Shreyas is also set to produce a Marathi project and will formally announce it real soon. Speaking on the diminishing gap between Hindi and regional cinema in the present day, the actor concludes, “Budget is the only difference between Hindi and Marathi film industries. The only issue is the budgetary constraints, but we'll overcome that too anytime now. In terms of intent and storytelling, Marathi cinema is at par with Bollywood.”