Mumbai:
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The cast of Maharathi |
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| Maharathi stars slash fees to help actor fulfil his dream
As a special gesture, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Boman Irani and Neha Dhupia agreed to slash their fees by almost half for Shivam Nair's Maha-rathi. Reason? The stars wanted Paresh Rawal to fulfill his long-cherised dream.
Didn't get the connection? For almost two decades now, the character actor harboured a desire to see the celluloid version of his much-acclaimed '80s play, Maharathi. The project, produced by Ashta-vinayak, finally releases in December.
Grateful
Says Rawal, "I am grateful to the entire star cast who agreed to take 40 to 50 per cent cuts in their fee. The film would not have been made otherwise. The economics of the project wouldn't have worked out."
Maharathi, a suspense thriller, is about a husband who challenges his money-minded wife to kill him and usurp his wealth. Uttam Gada who penned the drama has also done the screenplay and dialogues for the film.
Finally!
Adds Rawal, "Since 1985, I have been approaching production houses. Though everyone was extremely receptive, the project would never take off for some reason or the other. I had almost lost hope as it appeared to be jinxed. Moreover due to my acting commitments, I could not spare much time."
It is learnt that the actor had initially approached Vipul Shah who expressed a desire to make it with Akshay Kumar. But it never took off and later Vikram Bhatt had mentioned making it with Amitabh Bachchan in the cast.
This too met with a similar fate.
"But now, I am a much relieved man as my dream project has finally taken shape," concludes Rawal.
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