Ashutosh Gowariker is one of the most revered filmmakers of our times, but many would not know that his first love is acting. Last seen in National Award-winning Marathi-language movie Ventilator in 2016, it appears that Gowariker’s acting career has taken a backseat.
Talking about it, the filmmaker delves, “I feel acting needs a lot of focus. It’s indeed very difficult thing. During the initial days of my acting career, I felt very happy and excited as well. I also got loads of experience from acting.” The Panipat director further reveals that his acting stint has enabled him to understand the art of direction well. “The experiences that I derived from acting, I carried it forward into the direction. Just by being on different sets during my acting days and interacting with different actors, I learnt how different stories are told,” he elaborates.
Even though Ventilator was critically celebrated, Gowariker found himself in a dearth of acting projects. Incidentally, he also got involved with Panipat at the same time. “It takes me two to three years at least to work on a script. I am not like V. Shantaramji, Guru Duttji and Raj Kapoor saab – all of whom would direct and act at the same time. It’s very difficult to handle both the reins — direction and acting at the same time. I feel, I need to bring perfection in my direction first,” concludes the Lagaan director.
