LK's 12 Avatars

Actor Rajesh Shringarpure will be seen playing 12 different characters in a forthcoming Marathi film Shambhu Maza Navsacha.




One actor playing multiple characters is not uncommon, but playing 12 characters that are as different from each other as chalk and cheese is no mean feat. Actor Rajesh Shringarpure will now be seen playing 12 different roles in director Subhash Vaidhya's forthcoming Marathi film Shambhu Maza Navsacha.

At present, Rajesh is seen as Lord Krishna on television in the serial Saarthi. The actor become popular when he starred opposite Raveena Tandon in the serial Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam a few years ago.

A socially relevant film, Shambhu Maza Navsacha is slated to be released next Friday. The 12 characters which Rajesh plays flit in and out of the film. The roles are that of a beggar, a dark-complexioned man, a college boy, a kabadiwala, a madari, a Marwari seth, a saint, a servant, a tabla player, a snake charmer, a ward boy and finally, a common man.

"All these 12 characters try to convert Milind Gunaji from an atheist into a firm believer of God. Each character has its own quirks and all are interesting. I'm sure viewers will it find it very amusing," says Rajesh. "I think the most difficult part of playing the dozen characters was changing costumes. Although I used to be stressed out while shooting, at the end of the day I felt very content as an actor. I knew I was doing something unique. Few actors ever get this kind of opportunity," he says.

How did he find it switching from one character to another? "This depends on the actor's expertise. I didn't find switching from one character to another that difficult. The actor has to present himself, get into the skin of the character and be spot on. At the same time, my director Subhash Vaidhya helped me pull off these 12 roles with ease," says Rajesh.

This is probably the first time that an actor has played 12 characters in a film. Rajesh says, "I didn't realise this was a record of sorts. Someone pointed out this fact when I was on shoot. I heard that Kamal Hassan is planning to play 12 characters in a film. I'm glad I beat him to it!" says Rajesh.

Rajesh was spotted by Raj Kapoor and was going to make his debut in the filmmaker's Paramveer Chakra. "However Raj Kapoor shelved the film and went on to make Prem Rog. I later did Paramveer Chakra in 1995 which was directed by Ashok Kaul," says Rajesh. However, the actor is now awaiting his film's release.


• I think the most difficult part of playing the dozen characters was changing costumes. Although I used to be stressed out while shooting, at the end of the day I felt very content as an actor. I knew I was doing something unique. Few actors ever get this kind of opportunity
– Rajesh Shringarpure

Thanx for the article Pinky.