Director-writer Nipun Dharmadhikari and actor Sachin Khedekar said that Baap Janma’s father-child relationship offers a different perspective
Theatre-director Nipun Dharmadhikari has forayed into Marathi cinema with Baap Janma, which released on Friday. During their visit to Sakal Times to promote the film, Sachin and Nipun said it is about a father and his rebirth (metaphorical). “When does the father take birth? When his child is born or when he starts taking care of the child? I believe it’s the latter. The story is about this person (played by Sachin) who believes that he hasn’t done enough for his family and decides to fulfill his responsibilities towards it. That’s his rebirth, so to say,” said Nipun, a reputed name in the Marathi entertainment industry.
Sachin said that the USP of Baap Janma is that Nipun has examined the perspectives of both — the older and younger generation. “We have mostly seen Marathi drama films, which highlight the generation gap between the parents and children. The directors and writers I have worked with are either my age or a little older. Baap Janma has been directed by Nipun, a young filmmaker; he has also perceived these relationships very differently,” says Sachin.
He adds that each and every character in the film is grey. “My character is shown to be bored with his life and wants to meet his kids. The story follows the measures he takes to get them back,” says Sachin.
Nipun, who has also acted in Highway, believes that the relationship between parents and children, is never black and white. “There is always a grey area. It never happens that someone is absolutely right and the other person is absolutely wrong. There is always this generation gap and their different lifestyles lead to conflict. What do you do in such a situation in real life? You make peace with it. If you fail to accept the changing times, that would lead to a nuclear family,” he added.
The director is confident that even though his story revolves around the parent-child relationship, the audience will get a different perspective. “When you put your characters in a new set-up or story, you will be able to get something different. A story like this hasn’t been attempted before. It is said that universally there are only five to six stories. The characters and their detailing make all the difference,” he said.
When it comes to playing the role of a father, Sachin has essayed them umpteen times. And, so after all these years, it’s very important for him that filmmakers see him in a different light like Nipun did. Says Sachin, “ I have been playing a father for the past two decades now. The role suits me but I have to find variations in playing the role. This year I have got three releases, as opposed to last year when I did not have a single release. I do roles which suit me and hence I have limited options. I try to work with new people because I get to know more about myself,” said the actor who was last seen in Muramba.
Baap Janma is presented by Everest Entertainment and is produced by Sumatilal Shah and Sixteen by Sixty-Four. It also stars Pushkaraj Chirputkar, Sharvari Lohakare, Akarsh Khurana and Nipun himself.
