Fifty years of talent's worth

His is a popular face on television. Sachin Pilgaonkar started as a child artiste and there has been no looking back since; the veteran actor has carved a niche for himself in the hearts of millions of television viewers. From acting in movies and tele-serials (a popular one being Tu Tu Main Main), to producing, directing as well, it’s been a long journey for Sachin.

So what thrills him the most, we ask? “Whatever I’m doing at that moment is what thrills me. Nothing has been too small for me…I do each role with conviction,” says the multi-tasker with a smile. Recently, we even saw him showcasing his talent for singing on the reality show, Star Ya Rockstar.

He asserts that all his experiences have been enjoyable. “I ventured only into those areas that interested me and where I could learn from. I’m not a trained singer but I got to learn a lot on the singing show, and that was what I was looking for. I experimented with different genres while on stage and that was what took me ahead in the competition,” he states, recalling his days as a competitor in the reality show.

Being a sport, he says that winning the show wasn’t really important for him. The important thing is whether you are happy doing it or not, he says. “Losing does not mean failure. It is the experience that matters. If you enjoy what you are doing, then, that is ‘winning’. I have enjoyed 200 per cent,” he smiles. Although he didn’t bag the title (he was among the top three finalists), he says that he is not going to stop singing. “The show has helped me enhance my singing and am going to take it forward,” says Sachin.
It has been 50 years since Sachin started off in the industry, and the journey, he says, has been excellent. “I have seen both ups and downs. The industry has really given me more than I deserve. I am obliged to the audience who have kept me going. I am also grateful to the people who I have worked with…even the light men and the spot boys. Together, they’ve helped me become what I am today. These are the people who have made Sachin Pilgaonkar,” he explains.

He doesn’t regret anything. “I look at today and tomorrow, not at the past,” he affirms. A number of people have inspired Sachin, among them, Sanjeev Kumar, who has been his role model for acting, Kishore Kumar for singing, and Vijay Anand for direction.

Sachin has been able to balance family and work well. “I’m a family man,” he informs. “I regard my family, at the same time I regard my other commitments as well…I ensure both run smoothly. I have always received immense support from my family,” says the actor. Sachin takes time out to go for family outings whenever possible or have some fun family time at home in the evenings.

Sachin and his wife Supriya are well-known faces in the television industry, so the obvious question is whether their daughter Shriya will follow the same course. “No, she is interested in writing. She has just done a course in screenplay adaptation from Harvard. She wants to write screenplays for films and we are definitely supporting her,” says the proud father.

Talking about projects on hand, he says that he is playing the protagonist in a new Marathi film called Shariyat. “This film is all about speed, race and conflicts in life,” he informs, adding that it’s a film with a rural background. “I play the role of a guy who rides a bullock cart in races,” he quips.