Shreyas Talpade acts all the way to production

By: Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Shreyas Talpade has turned producer. And he has the backing of Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts Ltd., the company that gave him his first major break in Iqbal.

Shreyas' first film isn't in Hindi. It's a Marathi venture, titled Kaande Pohe. No, the movie doesn't revolve around traditional cuisine, "but is an entertainer, in keeping with the films Mukta Arts is associated with. The film is targeted at the youth," Shreyas informs me in a freewheeling conversation.

What prompted Shreyas to turn producer so early in his career? "Actually, it all started with the Mukta Arts' team wanting to make a Marathi film. They kept asking me about the right names initially. Subsequently, they asked me to put the project together. And then asked me to produce the film, with their backing of course. That's how Kaande Pohe took shape," Shreyas divulges.

Please continue. "I wasn't sure whether I wanted to turn producer so early in my career, but Subhash-ji convinced me. His support and confidence has given me the strength to take that big leap," he smiles. However, the talented actor isn't acting in his maiden venture. "We begin filming Kaande Pohe in September. I've committed those dates to Shyam Babu's [Benegal] film. It wasn't possible for me to sail in two boats simultaneously," he adds.

Shreyas feels that Marathi films hold tremendous potential. "We've the talent. We've the resources. We've the potential. The only thing we lack is the right backing to market and distribute the film extensively. With a corporate entity like Mukta Arts entering the fray, I genuinely feel that the Marathi film industry will get that additional fillip," he enthuses.

Is Hindi films on the agenda next? "I'd love to make films. The entire process of starting a film and finally taking it to theatres could be taxing, but it gives you a high. I really don't know what the future holds for me as a producer, but I'd love to make movies," he says.