Makarand's own way! - Article

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Makarand Deshpande (TOI Photo)

His signature style is the long curly locks which almost hide his face not forgetting the bushy moustache.


Meet Makrand Deshpande, actor, writer and director who is now all set to play the role of Maharishi Ved Vyas in the mega Indian epic Mahabharat on 9X.

How did you decide to take this role?

Ved Vyas was a storyteller and I like narrating. So the role suited me well. Besides the whole Mahabharat happens through him. Also the show is a modern version of the epic which is done on a huge scale. We shot in Ladakh recently and it was a great experience.

Are you doing TV because of the popularity of the medium or the money?

Well, TV has become like a support system for me because of the money involved. Also there can't be anything bigger than TV at the moment where the viewers are now deciding their work schedules based on show timings.


How did you decide to take this role?

Ved Vyas was a storyteller and I like narrating. So the role suited me well. Besides the whole Mahabharat happens through him. Also the show is a modern version of the epic which is done on a huge scale. We shot in Ladakh recently and it was a great experience.

Are you doing TV because of the popularity of the medium or the money?

Well, TV has become like a support system for me because of the money involved. Also there can't be anything bigger than TV at the moment where the viewers are now deciding their work schedules based on show timings.

People consider you eccentric. What's your take?

Eccentricity comes when a person follows his instincts and society feels that it's something out of the box. An eccentric person has his own point of view and I'm a consistent eccentric and that's why I've managed to survive in this industry for so long. But yes, I have no whims and fancies.

What do you enjoy most — being an actor, writer or director?

I enjoy being a writer. But now I've started enjoying acting as well. For some time I was writing too much. Writing allows me to live, it is the sensibility which allows me to exist. I can write about my emotional, political status at that point of time. All the chaos in my mind comes across through my writing.

Given a choice, what would you choose? Theatre, TV or films?

Well, theatre gives me creative satisfaction because everything is real — the acting, the audience, their reactions, their emotions. There are no retakes and there is so much excitement.

What are your future projects as a director?

There are a couple of films lined up — Dreamman with Kay Kay Menon and Shahrukh Bola Khoobsurat Hai Tu to be released this monsoon.