Marathi producer Akshay Bardapurkar turns writer

Producer Akshay Bardapurkar, who was associated with the award-winning Marathi film Rege (2014), directed by Abhijit Panse, is currently adding some finishing touches to his Hindi film script.

Akshay is writing what he calls “the most romantic film of the century”, and is in talks with a director to helm the film. He says, “I admire film-makers from KA Abbas to Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt to Rajkumar Hirani, who brought about a change in society through their cinema. And, then, there are the populist makers such as Raj Kapoor, Manmohan Desai, SS Rajamouli and Karan Johar. Working with someone like Shah Rukh Khan is a dream I would like to fulfil someday.”

Bardapurkar was inspired by Bal Thackeray when he joined the Shiv Sena to head its entertainment wings Maharashtra Cine and Television Sena (MCTS), and then, as the general secretary of the Shiv Sena Chitrapat Sena (SCS). “Balasaheb has inspired millions and now, Uddhavji (Thackeray) is ably carrying on the work,” he says. Bardapurkar has dabbled in events, celebrity management and politics, but intends to work on films. “I have been associated with the film industry earlier as well, when I used to be a part of events. I also devoted a few years in managing celebrities and ferrying down talent from other shores. But cinema has remained a priority,” he says.

I devoted a few years in managing celebrities and ferrying down talent from other shores. But cinema has remained a priority. AKSHAY BARDAPURKAR, PRODUCER