Latest news with #Ganapati
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Director of Rs 800 crore blockbuster used to sell eggs outside a bar when he was 6; washed toilets, had a vadapao stand, swept floors of film studio
Despite mixed reviews, the film Chhaava broke box office records, earning more than Rs 800 crore. And, at just six films old, director Laxman Utekar had a mega-hit on his hands. But before being in charge of hundreds of crores, he'd work for Rs 2 on Ganesh Chaturthi; before driving a fancy car, he would wash them. Utekar had very humble beginnings, and he discussed his rags-to-riches story in a new interview. Born in a small village in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, Utekar relocated to Mumbai as a kid with his uncle. He shared on the Mama's Couch podcast how he did everything under the sun in order to earn money in the city. Utekar said, 'I came into the industry by chance, and I had no backing. I was maybe 4 when my uncle brought me to Mumbai. I started selling boiled eggs outside a bar when I was 6 years old, and later I opened a vadapao stand in Shivaji Park, but that got seized by BMC.' He added that during the Ganapati festival, many rich people did not want to get out of their cars and immerse the idol in the water themselves. Utekar and his friend provided them with the useful service of carrying their idols and immersing them on their behalf to earn money. They would split the Rs 5 they'd charge for this service; Utekar said that he'd chase down cars of rich people and offer to immerse their idols. ALSO READ: Chhaava director Laxman Utekar tells Anurag Kashyap to get lost, says nobody is forcing him to stay in Bollywood: 'Gyaani mat bano' He then shared how his first exposure to the industry came to be when he responded to a job listing in the newspaper, which led to him being hired as a sweeper at a film studio. 'I started working as a sweeper for them, and I didn't really understand what work they were doing. I would clean the floors and the washrooms, after which I would get tea for the people working in the sound and editing studio. I looked at their work and realised that whatever work they were doing was very interesting, and I wouldn't leave for several days sometimes; I was never bored.' He added, 'Since that day, I have never left the industry or looked back.' He said that he washed cars with absolute sincerity; in fact, he was so diligent at cleaning toilets that he got a compliment from his boss. Utekar said that he also sold popcorn, newspapers, and did other odd-jobs to get by. Utekar said that he heard that Sahara was setting up a studio in the city, and so, he went to the site every day and stood at the gate. He did this for three months before someone stopped their car and asked why he'd been hanging around. 'I was waiting for someone to get of their car and ask me this question,' he said. When he asked the man if he could start working the next day, the man replied, 'Can you start today?' Utekar began his career as an assistant to cinematographer Binod Pradhan; he shot several movies such as 102 Not Out (2018), Hindi Medium (2017), and Dear Zindagi (2016). His directorial debut came with the Marathi film Taapal (2014), and he has since then helmed movies such as Luka Chippi (2019), Mimi (2021), and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023).
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Harshvardhan shares how his car wasn't allowed into the shoot compound
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Actor Harshvardhan Rane , who is currently shooting for his upcoming film tentatively titled Deewaniyat, revealed that he will be arriving on set with his head sticking out of his car, as it is not allowed into the shooting compound. Harshvardhan took to Instagram, where he shared a few pictures from the sets of the film, which is being directed by Milap Zaveri and co-poduced by Anshul Garg . "Last 3 days flew by while filming extremely crucial heart breaking scenes of #Deewaniyat (which is going to be renamed) I been noticing @anshul300 a focused, sincere, proactive and committed producer these 3 days...." Harshvardhan said that everyday on set he observes the producer giving his best to make sure that this is the actor's "most heart wrenching romantic film." He went on to recall how the security guard stopped him and why the actor teased the watchman the entire day. "However I just have one complaint from yesterday's shoot in Mumbai, because of all his expensive fleet of fancy cars that he owns, yesterday the onset security guards unaware of me being inside, didn't allow my Innova (that i own) to go into the shoot compound, he said "parking bahar karo" then I had to peep out and smile and then the guard started blushing, then for the whole day I teased that obviously @anshul300 and co producer @ were unaware abt this funny incident (sic)." Harshvardhan added: "Moral of the story - I will enter the set with my head sticking out henceforth." On April 18, Harshvardhan shared some glimpses from the muhurat puja of his upcoming film "Deewaniyat" and revealed a heart-melting reason as to why the film's team wanted to work with him. Taking to Instagram, Harshvardhan shared a glimpse of himself posing with director Milap Zaveri and the producers. He then shared a picture from the Ganapati puja ahead of the shoot. "Am working with them because they are very talented, humble and they are working with me because you guys bought tickets for SanamTeri Kasam... So i want to thank... YOU," Harshvardhan wrote. It was on April 17, when it was announced that the shooting of "Deewaniyat" starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa began in Mumbai.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Usha Nadkarni reveals she was beaten by her father for dancing at Lata Mangeshkar's Ganapati event, her mother threw all her clothes outside the house: 'Toh main bhi gussa wali thi'
Veteran actress Usha Nadkarni , who is known for her powerful performances in Hindi and Marathi television and cinema, recently opened up about her difficult journey into the world of showbiz. Despite her passion for drama and dance since childhood, Usha faced stiff opposition from her family, especially her parents, while pursuing her artistic interests. The 78-year-old actress, best remembered for her iconic role as Savita Deshmukh in Pavitra Rishta , recalled a vivid memory from her childhood when her father punished her for participating in Ganapati celebrations at legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar 's residence. "Papa dhundke maar ke ghar laate the" In a candid chat with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa on their podcast, Usha recounted how Lata Mangeshkar used to live in the same neighbourhood during her childhood. Every year, Mangeshkar hosted grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations that included processions and performances, which young Usha couldn't resist joining. She said, 'Bachpan mein Lata Mangeshkar, hum jaha rehte the Nana Chowk mein pehle, chhoti 10 by 10 ki kholi thi humari... Lata Mangeshkar baaju mein rehti thi. Toh unke waha bade Ganpati hote the... Papa udhar dhundke, maar ke ghar laate the.' ('During my childhood, when we lived in Nana Chowk in a small 10x10 room, Lata Mangeshkar used to live next door. She used to host grand Ganpati celebrations, and I would join the kids dancing in the streets. My father would find me there, beat me, and drag me back home.') She further added, 'Bohot pitayi ki hai papa ne... ek ko mara teen bhag gaye.' ('My father has beaten me a lot... he'd hit one child and the other three would run away.') From a BMC worker to a popular actress, let's take a look at Usha Nadkarni's journey On being thrown out for acting While her father was strict, Usha said it was her mother who was more resistant to her acting dreams. Her mother feared that being associated with theatre and dance could harm her daughter's reputation and marriage prospects. She revealed, 'Ek din toh meri maa ne sab mere kapde utha ke ghar ke baahar phek diye, bola drama karna hai toh hamare ghar se nikal ja.' ('One day, my mother picked up all my clothes and threw them outside the house, telling me to leave if I wanted to act in plays.') Not one to back down, Usha said she packed her clothes, bought a bag from Grant Road, and moved in with a friend from the municipal office. 'Papa mujhe office mein dhundhne aaye.' ('My father came looking for me at my office.') Usha Nadkarni made her acting debut in the 1979 Marathi film Sinhasan and later entered Bollywood with Pratighaat (1987). Over the decades, she carved a niche for herself with impactful roles in films like R... Rajkumar, Bhoothnath Returns, Ventilator, and shows like Bigg Boss Marathi and Celebrity Masterchef .
