Sayali Chandsarkar is popularly known in the Marathi entertainment industry as #SayaliSanjeev. Sayali did not take any formal training in acting and she never thought that she would be part of the entertainment industry. Just by chance a role in a marathi film ‘#PoliceLine’ came across and she did it. It was that simple. During the making of this #RajuParsekar directorial Sayali got engrossed in this art form and decided to pursue acting as a career. Though it was a small role she played in the movie it was important and during the making of the movie her sharp mind was grasping everything around her. That must be the reason for her turning out to be one of the finest actors Marathi entertainment industry has now.
Sayali Sanjeev debuted television with ‘#KaheDiyaPardes’ as a lead actress and the serial was well appreciated by the audience and it made Sayali extremely popular in the Marathi circuit. In fact she won many laurels for her portrayal of a Maharashtrian girl marrying into a North Indian family. At the Zee Marathi Awards, Sayali was recipient of Best Actress, Popular Face of the Year, Best Couple (with Rishi Saxena) and Best Daughter in law for ‘Kahe Diya Pardes’. Later she did a serial named ‘Shubhmangal Online’ for which she bagged Best Daughter in Law at Colors Marathi Awards. She was nominated for Best Actress for the same serial too. Though she entered this industry with ‘Police Line’ she was launched as a leading lady in ‘Aatpadi Nights’ and at Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar she was adjusted Best Actress for the role in that film.
In recent times she was in the news for giving back to back marvellous movies and winning awards or being part of a National Film Award winning film, ‘Gosht Eka Paithanichi’. For the same role she won Best Actress Award at the Maharashtra Times Sanman awards. At the Filmfare Award Marathi she won Best Actress for ‘Gosht Eka Paithanichi’. Her diversifying roles in ‘Basta’ and ‘Jhimma’ were liked by many. Ditto for her roles in ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Urmi’. Now Sayali is ready to perform her dream role of a police officer in ‘Kaya’ and during the launch of the film Sayali spoke at length with our Senior Editor Keerti Kadam. Excerpts….
You are slated to play a cop in ‘Kaya’. What are your feelings?
Frankly I am extremely excited to play a police officer for the first time. Looking at my tiny physical stature I never thought that anyone will offer me a cop role. So when I was approached for this role I was happy that I am getting to play a woman in uniform. But the script and story too is important. So after the narration I was convinced that I am ready to don the uniform for the first time. Again it will be a surprise gift to my fans who have so far seen me in docile roles. I am delighted and thrilled to do all the action scenes as we soon will be starting its shoot.
Any preparations for the police officer’s role?
We still have not started the shooting process. We plan to shoot at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in Maharashtra. Later the action director will come on board and we will have to go through those drills. As far as emotional part is concerned, I have watched these people from close quarters as ‘Police Line’ was shot in the police colony. I did study a lot during that time and now it’s going to come handy for me. Moreover I am a director’s actor and since he has a complete picture in his mind his instructions will be thoroughly followed by me. I believe in trusting my directors. Whether he is an established director or a new one doesn’t make difference to me. I usually have long chats with directors and try to understand his vision. Moreover I go by my gut feeling.
The story of ‘Kaya’ is inspired by a true incident but my character is completely fictional. I have great respect for the uniformed people and I will ensure that I portray it convincingly without demeaning anyone. Also I am into Yoga for many years and that’s going to help me play this character with ease. I’ll be playing a gun toting female police officer. Since I have been watching Hindi films, South films, Western films, I don’t think I’ll have any problem using gun in the action scenes. I had latent desire to play this kind of role and by Ganapati Bappa’s grace I am playing it which I thought I’ll never get to play. So I am ticking one item from my bucket list.
These days social media plays a major role in artists’ lives. Many face unnecessary trolling. How do you deal with it?
I just ignore trollers. Everybody has a view point and they vent it out on social media. I know what I am doing and I have confidence in what I am doing. So, frankly, I don’t pay heed to the negativity on social media. Yes, I do try to understand why something nasty is written. I try to analyse the psyche behind it but do not change my perspective. I just pick up the positivity and it helps me to remain sane. And I feel lucky that my fans have always supported me.
You just returned after four months in London? What did you miss back home?
Food. I am a foodie and adore Indian food. I just love Maharashtrian food and get utmost satisfaction after having it. But in England it’s difficult to get my favourite food. Some places like Cardiff and London, they do have Indian restaurants and though the quality is good, a foodie like me doesn’t get satiated. I am a great cook myself. So if the time permits and provided the authentic ingredients are available there, I cook for the unit.
Though in recent times I have been travelling abroad, my favourite destination is any place in Maharashtra. Moreover people out here adore me and whenever I am shooting they either invite me home for food or bring Tiffin filled with local delicacies for me. I am indebted to them for showering so much love on me.
If not an actor Sayali Sanjeev would have pursued Politics. At present she is a deputy president of (MNS) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s film labour wing.
