Renuka Shahane bases directorial debut on her mother’s novel

Actress Renuka Shahane makes her directoral debut her Marathi film Rita, which is adapted from a Marathi novel, Rita Welingkar, penned by Renuka's mother and eminent critic Shanta Gokhale.

Renuka Shahane bases directorial debut on her mother's novel

Actress Renuka Shahane makes her directoral debut her Marathi film Rita, which is adapted from a Marathi novel, Rita Welingkar, penned by Renuka's mother and eminent critic Shanta Gokhale.

The film has Jackie Shroff and Pallavi Joshi.

The first-time director is excited about her first release, "I chose my mother's novel because it lends itself beautifully to the screenplay. The characterisations were so well-edged.

Something missing

Renuka, initially saw it as a Hindi movie. She admits, "I started with a Hindi movie screenplay but something was missing and it wasn't fulfilling and living up to expectations. I decided to go back to my roots and experiment in Marathi.

That's when my mother's novel, which I had read in 1993, struck me and I decided to translate the novel into a film.

I began writing the screenplay in May 2007 and finished it by August 2007. My mother read the screenplay and her approval gave me the impetus to go ahead."

When asked why she didn't cast her husband Ashutosh Rane for Jackie's role, she says, "The character required a 15-year age difference and needed to look old.

No matter how much make-up I would get on Ashutosh, he wouldn't live up to the character. Jackie Shroff suited the role aptly."

The Hum Aapke Hai Kaun actress raves about Ashutosh being the perfect husband, "He was a very good husband and a father while I was busy shooting. He didn't take up any assignments.

He also gave me various inputs in regard to the screenplay and direction of the film." Next, she plans to make a movie in Hindi and cast her husband.

She says, "I have two scripts ready one in Hindi and the other in Marathi. The Hindi script has my husband playing the most important role."

The movie is produced by Pooja Shetty Deora's Walkwater Media and is due to release on September 4.

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