Journalism of Courage
Just last year,when theatre,film and television actor Bharati Achrekar was busy shopping in a mall in London,a burkha-clad woman overheard Achrekar chatting with her niece and approached her. She didnt know my name but wanted to know if Im the same woman who comes in television serials. I asked her how she recognised me despite wearing a burkha. And she said that she recognised me by my voice, says Acharekar.Over the years,Acharekar has gotten used to people complimenting her distinct voice. It was the same distinctness which drew director Ritesh Batra to offer Achrekar an audio-only role in his film The Lunchbox,which received rave reviews from the audience as well as the critics. Though invisible on screen,it is impossible to miss the persistent,loud,nosy,old and bored Aunty,played by Achrekar,who made her presence felt merely through her voice in The Lunchbox.
I was surprised when Ritesh (Batra) told me that it is just an audio role and I will not be seen on screen. Initially I was hesitant but he felt so strongly about the role that I agreed. Besides,I also found the story,the star cast interesting, recalls Achrekar.
Achrekar,who is the daughter of Manik Varma,the famous Indian classical singer from the Kirana gharana,took training in Hindustani classical music from Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni. After finishing her schooling from Punes Huzurpaga School,Achrekar graduated in Indian classical music from SNDT College Mumbai. However,due to lack of work in music,she took to acting. At 16,she did her first play Dhanya Te Gayani Kala. I lost my husband at a very young age and had to find a source of income, says the actor.
Films,she says,happened by chance. After Apne Paraye (1980) with Basu Chatterjee,I started getting offers, says Achrekar,who played prominent roles in films such as Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986),Sanjog (1986),Sur Sangam (1985),Beta (1992) and many more.
The actor is happy that though she has done several successful television serials like Kachchi Dhoop,Aa Bail Mujhe Maar,Main Kab Saas Banoongi and so on,the audience still remember her as Mrs Wagle from Wagle Ki Duniya. It has been more than two decades but some people still call me Radhika, says Achrekar,also the producer of TV serials like Zamana Badal Gaya and Tauba Meri Tauba.
Having done theatre,television and films,the veteran actor says that her first love will always be theatre. Amongst the theatre work she has done so far,she cherishes working in Hamida Bai Chi Kothi,Char Choughi,Dubhang and Aadhe Adhoore. Theatre is the best medium to vent out creative energy, she signs off.
