Time Please is a novel experience: Umesh

Praveen Lulekar

As the curiosity rises to its peak before the release of Time Please…lead actor Umesh Kamat talks in a calm and confident tone.  The film is based on the drama Navaa Gadi Nava Rajya and the actor seems to be natural choice to pay the composed Hrishikesh at both the places. He speaks to m4m about his character, his work relationship with wife Priya Bapat and the film’s novelties that we didn’t see in the drama.

A story of two characters on stage has become that of four now on screen. What changes did your character go through in this process?

The change is not due to the change in number of characters. It is due to the transformation of the story from stage to screen. On stage, there are limitations to the characterisation. There is a fixed box set; the office of my character is never shown. On screen, these things can be shown. There are a lot of things incorporated in the character. There are changes and they are good ones.

Did it help that the director and the writer were the same?

Yes of course. The story was theirs and they knew how audience would respond to what in the story. But the approach for the film is completely different. With a heavy heart they have made a lot of changes and have worked harder. The effort was to not carry the burden of the drama. Also, a lot that was between the lines in the drama has been brought on screen.

Is there a greater level of comfort when working with Priya Bapat?

Yes. Whenever you start working with someone new, you have to know him/her as a person. You have to understand that person’s views, opinions. With Priya, I know the positives and negatives. The details of the relationship of the on screen couple can thus be explored in a better way. The time taken to get set is minimised.

How does the character of Amruta differ or resonate with Priya Bapat?

Amruta is a next-door girl who likes to live her life fully. There is a child hidden in her and she is very transparent. I think every girl is like that. Priya also has that childishness, that purity in her. She loves to enjoy her life.

Do you think drama will be a factor to find connectivity with the film?

I think it is unfair to compare the film with the drama. The film is an entirely different product. You will notice that when you see it. Across Maharashtra, many have seen the drama but there are also many people who haven’t. The film will be a new experience to everyone.

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