Addinath Kothare played the role of Bharat in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend’. In a recent chat, the actor spoke about his long audition process and how he felt while shooting the Bharat milap scene for the movie.
Adinath Kothare talks about the world built for the Bharat Milap scene
What impressed Addinath Kothare most was the effort behind the film’s world. While filming the Bharat Milap portion, he nearly forgot he was on a set. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, he said, “The way Nitesh sir created the entire world, the detailing of the sets, Ayodhya and Chitrakoot, was incredible. During the Bharat milap sequence, I genuinely felt like I was in the forest of Chitrakoot.” He added, “Normally, when you walk through a forest, a pathway gets created because people keep walking over the grass. They had recreated that detail on the set. These are the little things that make the world look real.”Such surroundings, he said, brought him closer to the character. Adinath further shared, “When I stepped onto those sets, I felt I was Bharat. I wasn’t thinking about the actors playing the other characters. I felt I was interacting with Prabhu Shri Rama, Sita and Lakshman because everyone was in that energy and flow.”
Why experienced actors should still audition
The experience strengthened his view that auditions are not only meant for beginners. He believes many people wrongly think a senior actor should be exempt from the process. During the same conversation, he said, “There is a completely wrong notion that people have about auditions. Nobody comes to theatres just to see faces. They come if they like the story. Today, there is so much talent around us. Even if there are 10 good actors, it does not necessarily mean all of them will get the right opportunities.“According to Addinath, the real aim is to match the right performer with the right character. He explained, “There are so many actors who can play a particular part. How will the director decide who is right for it? Today’s casting directors are experimenting and giving opportunities to new and fresh faces. As actors, we need to help filmmakers push their boundaries. Auditions are very crucial. Internationally, even A-list actors audition.”The actor stated that he is also thankful to Mukesh Chhabra for inviting him to try out for many projects over the years. Even when a test does not end in a role, he feels it helps, because casting teams get to see what an actor can do and may remember him later.
About ‘Ramayana’
‘Ramayana’ is a two-part epic. Its cast includes Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravie Dubey, Addinath Kothare, Lara Dutta, Sheeba Chaddha, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi, Rakul Preet Singh and Kajal Aggarwal. The second part is set to arrive in 2028.