Veteran Indian Marathi actor Dilip Prabhavalkar, renowned for his illustrious career spanning over four decades in both Hindi and Marathi theater, television, and films, is making waves with his latest release, ‘Aata Vel Zaali.’ The film delves into the true story of an elderly couple grappling with an existential crisis, contemplating active euthanasia as an unconventional solution to what they perceive as unproductive and obsolete lives.
In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Prabhavalkar shared insights into the film, shedding light on its narrative. He explained, “The story revolves around the existential crisis of an elderly couple. Active euthanasia, also known as ‘Iccha-Mrityu’ in Marathi, is depicted, wherein individuals who are physically and mentally sound assert their right to die happily. The film explores the idea of embracing death as a joyful event, a concept permitted in countries like Switzerland, Canada, and the Netherlands.”
Discussing his role in the film, Prabhavalkar expressed his eagerness to venture into uncharted territory. “I wanted to do something new, and when Ananth approached me with this story, it triggered a chain of thoughts I had never had before. When Anand narrated my character, Shashidhar Lele, I immediately said yes. It was something I had not explored before,” he remarked.
Dilip Prabhavalkar, who earned a National Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of ‘Gandhi’ in the 2006 film ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai,’ acknowledged the challenges of portraying the iconic figure. “Gandhi was very difficult. That was the first character role I played. But that was difficult,” he admitted, reflecting on the demanding nature of the role.
Beyond his acclaimed performance as Gandhi, Prabhavalkar’s versatility shines through in various comedic and dramatic roles, including ‘Ek Daav Bhutacha,’ ‘Zapatlela,’ and ‘Chaukat Raja.’ His creative pursuits extend to playwriting, with the play ‘Chuk Bhul Dyavi Ghyavi’ to his credit, along with authoring 28 books.
With an extensive and multifaceted career, Dilip Prabhavalkar continues to captivate audiences with his nuanced performances and contributions to the world of entertainment.