When Sharad Pawar was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 1979, he had allowed the shooting of the iconic film ‘Sinhasan’ right in his cabin and even in the Mantralaya, despite objections from bureaucrats.
This revelation was made by well-known theatre personality and film director Dr Jabbar Patel at the premiere of the documentary ‘Pappa Sanga Kunache’, chronicling the life of popular late Marathi actor Arun Sarnaik.
“It was the first time probably in the history of India and Maharashtra that a movie was shot in Mantralaya and bungalows of ministers. I don’t think any Chief Minister in the country would have allowed a movie to be shot on the subject of politics and especially on the dispute between a Chief Minister and a Finance Minister. The full credit goes to Sharad Pawar..And I want to thank him for that,” said Patel at the Balgandharva Rangmandir auditorium in Pune on Saturday.
Sinhasan, directed by Dr Jabbar Patel, is an Indian-Marathi political drama film that was released when Sharad Pawar was the Chief Minister. He then led the Progressive Democratic Government. The movie was written by journalist Arun Sadhu. The movie was about the fight between the Chief Minister and his Finance Minister, fighting for the CM’s chair. Arun Sarnaik played the role of the chief minister
“The last scene of the movie regarding expansion of the cabin was shot right in the Chief Minister’s cabin…,” said Patel highlighting how there were objections from the bureaucracy as the movie was related to political happenings, but Pawar over-ruled them.
Dr Patel said he told Sharad Pawar that he would not shoot in the Chief Minister’s cabin as it was not appropriate. “To this, Sharad Pawar said why not ? He then called his personal assistant and sought to know his schedule. He then asked me how many days we would need for the shoot. I told him three days. He said ‘I have other programmes next three days’… We then shot the last scene of the movie, regarding cabinet expansion in the Chief Minister’s cabin,” recalled the director while describing Sharad Pawar as the most popular Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Dr Patel said the Secretariat was given on rent for two-and- a-half days on weekends. “When we told Pawar to reduce the rent from Rs 4000 to Rs 2000, he promptly agreed,” he said.
When Dr Patel was revealing the generous side of Sharad Pawar, the veteran politician who was seated among the crowd in the first row, smiled lightly. He however did not address the crowd. The organisers said he was not well.
Dr. Patel also shared a memory of Arun Sarnaik attending a play that was written for him and praising the actor who played the lead role in Sinhasan. “Arun Sarnaik’s humility and kindness were evident in his willingness to attend the play and appreciate the actor’s performance,” he said.
The premiere of the documentary was dominated by speeches of Jabbar Patel and veteran actor Nana Patekar. There was a sort of duel between the two, which kept the jam-packed auditorium on the edge of their seats. Veteran actor Mohan Agashe shared his memories and experiences with Arun Sarnaik, which revealed the various facets of the actor and his charismatic personality. The documentary has been produced by his daughter Dr Savita Sarnaik-Naiknavare.
Former minister Harshvardhan Patil, documentary director Dr. Santosh Pathare, Dr. Savita Sarnaik Naiknavare Ranjeet Manyavar and Neel Naiknavare were also present.
Dr. Savita Sarnaik Naiknavare, spoke about her father’s memories and shared some personal anecdotes. “When I was growing old, I used to think whether my father belonged to me or God. As I grew older, I realized that Pappa wasn’t just mine, but belonged to the audience, and he always will,” she said.
”While making the documentary, I used to get emotional. Even now, I have the same feeling…,” said Dr Savita.
Recalling their days in Kolhapur, Dr Savita said, ”Whenever my pappa used to return home from shooting, he used to scream, Savi, Me Alo…(Savi I have returned). His voice was heard in the entire area, I used to feel shy and hide myself in the house. My pappa used to play carrom with my brother Sanjay whenever he was home. I used to disturb them but my father never got angry with me.”
Both Jabbar Patel and Nana Patekar praised her speech. Patel said there was “no melodrama” in her speech despite seeing so much pain in life.
The documentary’s director, Santosh Pathare, said, “Since we didn’t have a tradition of documentation in the past, making this documentary was a challenge. However, we tried to overcome this challenge by using available films, plays, photographs, and memories.”
Praising Arun Sarnaik’s acting style, Nana Patekar said, “Ease was a hallmark of Sarnaik’s acting, and such acting is an ideal to strive for. Arun Sarnaik taught us the golden meaning of acting in both film and theatre.”
Dr. Mohan Agashe shared his experiences of working with Arun Sarnaik and praised his humility and simplicity.
The event concluded with the announcement of the Arun Sarnaik Scholarship, which will be awarded to talented actors and singers from Kolhapur. The scholarship will be given away by the Sarnaik and Naiknavare families. Neil Naiknavare proposed the vote of thanks, and Swati Rajee anchored the program. Ratna Chauhan welcomed the gathering.
Sinhasan, directed by Dr Jabbar Patel, is an Indian-Marathi political drama film that was released when Sharad Pawar was the Chief Minister 
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