Makrand Deshpande On Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai: 'The Film Doesn't Try To Impress, It Wants...'
Makrand Deshpande opens up about his role in Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai, praising its honesty, emotional depth, and message of truth and resistance. Releases Aug 1.
Veteran actor, playwright, and director Makrand Deshpande—known for his versatile performances in acclaimed films such as Swades, Satya, Makdee, Malang, and RRR—is set to appear in the upcoming emotional drama Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai, slated for release on August 1. Directed by Satyajeet and produced by IJM Productions, the film explores love, family, and the bittersweet ache of nostalgia through the eyes of small-town India.
Speaking about what drew him to the project, Deshpande shared that it was the 'honesty" of Satyajeet—both as a writer and a director—that moved him. 'That alone was enough to convince me to be part of the project," he said. 'There was something raw and real in the way the story was told. It didn't try to impress; it simply wanted to be heard. And that sincerity was refreshing."
Known for his grounded performances, Deshpande revealed that his preparation for the film didn't involve any elaborate process. 'I didn't do anything specific. My approach is always rooted in honesty and truthfulness. I don't believe in layering performances unnecessarily—if you trust the moment, the moment takes care of you," he said. 'And in this film, every scene had its own pulse, its own truth to respond to."
One particular moment that left a lasting impression on the actor was a scene involving the Indian national flag. 'That moment, holding the national flag of our country while being filmed, really stood out," Deshpande recalled. 'There was a deep emotional undercurrent that I hadn't anticipated. It stayed with me long after the scene was done."
The actor also praised the film's cast and the sheer audacity of its vision. 'The young cast really impressed me—they actually fit the age group they were playing, which rarely happens. I also admire the fact that someone from outside the industry took on the challenge of making this film. It takes a lot of heart and fearlessness to do that," he said. He added that the trailer carried 'scale, energy, and conviction," and that he 'absolutely loves the title of the film."
But what does Deshpande hope audiences take away from Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai? 'It's the resistance for truth that I want the audience to feel," he said. 'In today's times, standing up for what's right isn't easy—but it's necessary. If the film can ignite even a small spark of that courage in someone, I believe we've done our job."
Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai features a talented ensemble including Pranjal Shandilya, Swapnil Singh, Brijendra Kala, Rajesh Jais, Rohit Pathak, Ashok Kumar Beniwal, and the late Bikramjeet Kanwarpal. With its heartfelt storytelling, grounded performances, and emotional honesty, the film promises to be a poignant exploration of identity, love, and the quiet resistance found in everyday life.
First Published:
July 20, 2025, 19:51 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
5 days ago
- Mint
Why Mohit Suri's ‘Saiyaara' is striking a nerve without saying too much
When 'Saiyaara' released on July 18, 2025 it quietly became one of the most talked‑about love stories of the year. Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, the film stars newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in their debut roles. Within just four days it had earned over ₹ 107 crore on a budget of around ₹ 45 crore, comfortably entering the top five highest‑grossing Hindi films of 2025 . Mohit Suri has long had a gift for romantic storytelling. From 'Aashiqui 2' to 'Malang' and 'Ek Villain', he has always combined romantic drama with haunting music. With 'Saiyaara', he seemed to sense the moment: audiences were tiring of action‑packed spectacles and looking for quieter emotional stories. He waited a few years before delivering another romantic musical; the timing appears perfect . Part of the excitement comes from the music. Songs like 'Saiyaara', 'Barbaad' and 'Dhun' were released weekly leading up to the premiere and each quickly became a hit. The soundtrack did more than add emotion—it drove it. Mohit Suri selected seven composers and four lyricists to craft tracks that blend into the story rather than interrupt it. Audiences crowded theatres, some even singing along during screenings, waving flashlights and cheering at key emotional moments—creating a community feeling that is rare these days. The performances of Ahaan Panday as Krish and Aneet Padda as Vaani are being hailed as effortless. Ahaan's presence is quietly intense, and Aneet's portrayal is balanced and layered. Their chemistry feels genuine—a mix of silences and unspoken longing that seems to resonate with audiences of all age groups. The film feels fresh in its emotional honesty, even if its basic narrative—a musician meets poet, love blooms, pain follows—is well trodden ground. The film is also receiving praise for choosing fresh faces and strong narrative over big names and marketing blitzes. Veteran director Subhash Ghai pointed to 'Saiyaara' as proof that a well-told story and thoughtful casting can triumph over expensive star vehicles. That sense of restraint extends to promotion as well: both lead actors did almost no interviews or media tours before the film came out, which seemed to only increase intrigue around their performances. At its core, 'Saiyaara' succeeds because it is not trying to shock or overwhelm. It tells a simple story of love, longing, music and loss, and leans into nostalgia for a style of film many feel has been neglected. Its music doesn't feel tacked on—it feels like it was written from inside the narrative. It can be said that the music served to push the emotional beats forward rather than break them. Of course, every film has its share of flaws - plot familiarity, occasional clunky dialogues and inconsistent pacing—yet most will agree that the emotional resonance and on‑screen chemistry keep the film alive even when the screenplay stumbles. What 'Saiyaara' shows is simple yet powerful: when a filmmaker senses the audience's mood and delivers a heartfelt emotional story backed by strong music and sincere acting, even a familiar tale can feel meaningful again. It proves that you don't need stars or fancy effects to draw people in—sometimes all you need is a song, a silence, and a story that whispers to your heart.
News18
5 days ago
- News18
Manoj Bajpayee's Police Station Mein Bhoot Shoot To Begin From July 26: Report
Last Updated: Manoj will be next seen in Family Man Season 3. It is expected to bring back key original cast members, including Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Ashlesha Thakur, and Vedant Sinha. Ram Gopal Varma and actor Manoj Bajpayee are reuniting for a horror-comedy, titled Police Station Mein Bhoot. The film is set to go on floors on July 26, and fans of both the director and actor are buzzing with excitement about the unexpected genre shift. Mid-day has reported that Ram Gopal Varma and Manoj Bajpayee will begin shooting from July 26 in Hyderabad. They will shoot for a month. In April, the ace filmmaker announced the title along with the other details. Taking to his X handle, Ram Gopal Varma wrote, 'After SATYA, KAUN and SHOOL I am thrilled to announce, me and @BajpayeeManoj are once again teaming up for a HORROR COMEDY a genre which neither of us did I have done horror , gangster, romantic , political dramas , adventure capers, thrillers etc but never a HORROR COMEDY. The film is titled POLICE STATION MEIN BHOOT Tag line: You Can't Kill The Dead. Concept: We run to the police when scared, but where will the police run to, when they get scared? STORY IDEA After a deadly encounter killing , a POLICE STATION becomes a HAUNTED STATION making all the COPS run in FEAR to escape the GHOSTS of the GANGSTERS. With cutting-edge VFX, spine-chilling horror effects , POLICE STATION MEIN BHOOT will be a A FUN FILLED film that will TERRIFY YOU." Manoj will be next seen in Family Man Season 3. Last year, fans were thrilled when Season 3 was officially announced, along with the exciting addition of acclaimed actor Jaideep Ahlawat to the ensemble cast. Now, Manoj Bajpayee has dropped a major update about the series' release. Manoj told OTT Play, 'Nothing more than what is already out, but The Family Man Season 3 is releasing in November this year. You must have already heard in the news that there is a new addition to the show. We cast Jaideep Ahlawat two years ago, and he has done very well with Paatal Lok Season 2. To our luck, he is in Season 3 of The Family Man. This season is massive and very beautiful." However, a clear date of release is yet to be confirmed. Season 3 is expected to bring back key original cast members, including Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Ashlesha Thakur, and Vedant Sinha. After the massive success of Season 1, which laid the foundation for the show's cult status, Season 2 introduced Samantha Ruth Prabhu as the antagonist, earning widespread praise. With Jaideep Ahlawat set to challenge Manoj Bajpayee's Srikanth in Season 3, the stakes are higher than ever, promising another riveting chapter in the series. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
'Shah Rukh Khan drank village chaas without hesitation,' says Makarand Deshpande as recalls Swades shoot and SRK's generosity
Makarand Deshpande has always been an intense actor and recently opened up about the movie which he did with Shah Rukh Khan , Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Swades'. He recalled some behind-the-scenes incidents which made it very memorable for him in particular. Deshpande reflected on SRK's humility, creative involvement, and the emotional warmth that defined their reunion after 13 years. SRK's grounded gesture: He drank chaas without hesitation Deshpande reminisced while appearing on the Cyrus Says podcast when offered super star SRK a glass of buttermilk freshly fetched from a local village during the shooting of Yun Hi Chala Chal. SRK, despite being a star, would not refuse such an offering, and that was the moment when Deshpande truly believed to capture his down-to-earth nature. As said in the interview, SRK drank it 'bina kisi jhijak ke,' without flinching or fuss. Shah Rukh Khan took charge behind the scenes During the filming of the road-trip song, Deshpande described how SRK took on multiple responsibilities—driving the caravan, coordinating with the crew via walkie-talkie, and even helping choreograph moments. Deshpande jokingly called himself the 'brat' on set, enjoying the ride while SRK handled the logistics. He added that the idea for his hair movement during Kailash Kher's alaap came directly from SRK, who was invested in even the smallest creative details. A reunion after 13 years—and SRK remembered everything As reported by Indian Express, Deshpande was surprised by how much SRK remembered about his theatre work and indie film 'Danav,' despite not being in touch for over a decade. The actor said it felt like three people from different worlds, him from theatre, SRK from superstardom, and Gowariker fresh off 'Lagaan' coming together in harmony. SRK's cameo for Deshpande's indie film came with no price Deshpande also shared that when he requested SRK to appear in a close-up for his indie film 'Shahrukh Bola Khoobsurat Hai Tu,' the actor did not charge a fee. Instead, SRK told him to send his cameraman and offered his own car and camera for the shoot. As said in the podcast, SRK told him, 'You don't need to spend money. Just send your cameraman, I'll get the unit.'
