Suryakant

Interview of Stage & Movie actor Waman Tukaram alias Suryakant
Mandhare by Bapu Watve on 11th May 1987

Bapu Watve: How did you enter into film line? When did you get the chance? Was that
always your ambition?

Suryakant Mandhare: I was attracted towards film line and acting profession right
from my school days. I was studying in the same school in which my elder brother
Chandrakant had studied earlier. In one Annual Gathering function he was invited as
‘Chief Guest’. Chandrakant presented a mimicry items to students. Being student then,
I was also a part of the gathering. That performance impressed me so much…

Bapu Watve: Hmmm

Suryakant Mandhare: After the Mimicry item, teacher appreciated and praised my
elder brother and garlanded him and I felt why can I also not show similar
performance? I was attracted to that art and in next year’s school gathering I took part
and presented a Mimicry item.

Bapu Watve: Did you act in any school drama later on?

Suryakant Mandhare: Oh Yes! One year in school gathering a drama “Gurudakshina”
was staged. And although I was a good looking guy, I was asked to play part of devil
‘Jarasandh’.

Bapu Watve: A devil? Why??

Suryakant Mandhare: Because I was well-built. I regularly used to go to gymnasium
and had developed good physic and therefore they gave me role of Jarasandh. I did
that part. Around the time of prize distribution ceremony, Bal Gandharva’s company
had come to Kolhapur.

Bapu Watve: Then!

Suryakant Mandhare: Our school principal invited Bal Gandharva as Chief Guest for
the function and I received first prize at his hand.

Bapu Watve: Very good omen.

Suryakant Mandhare: Yes. This encouraged me so much that I decided to pursue this
art only and started taking steps in that direction.

Bapu Watve: Did your family encourage you to pursue acting currier or to enter into
film or drama line?

Suryakant Mandhare: No. There was some opposition from family and for good reason.

Bapu Watve: The reason for my asking you this question is that your father
Tukarampant had acted in silent movies made by Maharashtra Film Company.

Suryakant Mandhare: Yes. In old days.

Bapu Watve: He had acted in number of movies.

Suryakant Mandhare: Yes. He had played part of Dhrutarashtra in movie Karna.

Bapu Watve: He was director of the movie. Year 1928. And had also acted in it.

Suryakant Mandhare: Yes.

Bapu Watve: Your elder brother Chandrakant was getting well established in film line.
Even then were they against your pursuing acting currier in film or drama?

Suryakant Mandhare: Yes. Chandrakant was not able to study due to family’s
financial condition.

Bapu Watve: Hmm

Suryakant Mandhare: so he felt that at least his younger brother should study and
become a Doctor or Engineer. They were not a wrong in their thinking.

Bapu Watve: Absolutely correct.

Suryakant Mandhare: He felt that since financial position has improved and he was
earning well his brother should study further which will be beneficial for me in long
term. How much could I earn in acting currier?

Bapu Watve: Yes. There was uncertainty.

Suryakant Mandhare: There was uncertainty in this profession and everybody felt that
I should choose some other profession where earnings are better.

Bapu Watve: Hmm

Suryakant Mandhare: But I had liking for acting and I was not attentive to my studies.
I was totally fascinated by acting line.

Bapu Watve: Who made first use of your natural talent for acting?

Suryakant Mandhare: First Use! In the film industry there was a comedian -- Raja
Pandit.

Bapu Watve: Yes. Raja Pandit.

Suryakant Mandhare: Around 1938 he made a movie “Dhruv” which had only children
enacting all roles. Even the minister’s part was enacted by a small boy.

Bapu Watve: Was the movie “ Dhruv: or “Baldhruv”

Suryakant Mandhare: No. No. Only “Dhruv”

Bapu Watve: Ok.

Suryakant Mandhare: And in that movie he wanted a smart boy for the role of Vishnu

Bapu Watve: Ok. Wamanrao, was that the first experiment in India of producing a
movie with all child artists?

Suryakant Mandhare: Yes. Very first experiment. Before that nobody had tried movie
with all children artists. The film festivals being organized now are of very recent origin.

Bapu Watve: Yes.

Suryakant Mandhare: So, at that time Raja Pandit had produced that film.

Bapu Watve: Enacted by all small children?

Suryakant Mandhare: Yes small children only.

Bapu Watve: The elderly characters were also played by children?

Suryakant Mandhare: Yes. And in that film for role of Vishnu, he wanted a good
looking, smart and well-built boy and he came to our Harihar School. Being weak in
studies, I was required to attend the extra tuition class and the teacher was teaching.
Bapu Watve: Ok