The guys in the picture with Akshay Kumar and me are my friend, colleague, and business partner Nishant A Bhuse and Swanand Kirkire who is Bollywood’s most multi-talented artiste in my book. Swanand, who is a renowned Hindi playback singer, writer, assistant director, actor, and dialogue writer, is making his acting debut in Marathi cinema with the film ‘Chumbak’ today that’s presented by Akshay. Together, they came to our office to do a rollicking video interview over breakfast. Akshay, sporting his stylish new salt-and-pepper look from ‘Housefull 4’ that would make George Clooney envious.
What was unique here was that this was Akshay’s first web interview in which the Bollywood superstar spoke exclusively in Marathi. Well, why should he not? He is comfortable with Marathi and enjoys conversing in the language. Hear his witty and spontaneous replies, and the reasons he gave for learning the language, you will be pleasantly surprised, he’s simply amazing. ‘Chumbak’ is also the first film (Marathi or otherwise) to which Akshay has proudly lent his name and in which Swanand, who has been doing Bollywood roles since 2003, makes his Marathi screen debut. I don’t understand why he took so long.
If those two reasons were not special enough, then the ‘Chumbak’ interview also launches the Marathi entertainment digital site that Nishant and I have put together. It’s called
Marathi.PeepingMoon.com and is a part of our media house Clapping Hands Private Limited which already has
PeepingMoon.com for English and Hindi news on Bollywood. For some reason, despite its mercurial growth lately with the involvement of Hindi cinema bigwigs like Akshay, Karan Johar, Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham, and Ajay Devgn, no Bollywood site covers Marathi films. We decided to valiantly be the first.
The interview was brilliantly conducted by the vivacious Marathi TV journalist Anuja Karnik who came dressed in traditional Maharashtrian finery and played her role to perfection. Adding to the picture was the table laden with Maharashtrian breakfast foods including Poha, Missal Pav, Sheera, Vada Pav, and Piyush. Akshay and Swanand tucked into them enthusiastically, unmindful of the camera. The interview goes up on
Marathi.PeepingMoon.com this afternoon. Watch it. Then go see ‘Chumbak’. I caught the film at a glitzy private screening Akshay held for Marathi actors from TV, stage, and cinema. It is, like Akshay told me, the most “honest and pure” film he had ever seen. Swanand is outstanding.
I’ve always looked on with admiration at his work. Now he is my friend.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
About Storyofsouls
Leave your comments on how did you like this story. If you love it, share it to bring that change we wish to see in the world.
You can also share your inspiring story with us at replytosos@gmail.com. Story Of Souls is an initiative where we invite people to bring their stories to us. We want people to “write to heal.” The idea of Storyofsouls is appreciated by ALL INDIA RADIO. An Online Platform where you can share your real-life stories. The impact of our stories has reached the UN, and Harvard University. For some real-life stories, web series are also planned. You can also visit our Youtube channel. You can follow us on Facebook LinkedIn Instagram
Storyofsouls is glad to inform you that we are now a Google news-verified platform.
We are proud to inform you all that storyofsouls.com is the official TedX MotiJheel Kanpur Partner for their upcoming event.
