Creating ‘cinematic history’ has always been genius film-maker Ashutosh Gowariker’s junoon-nasha ! by Chaitanya Padukone

From a versatile, talented yet not-so-successful actor to one of the internationally acclaimed daring maverick genius film-maker directors is Ashutosh Gowariker, whom we fondly call “Aashu’! Interesting to note that Gowariker later on developed this passion-fixation for historic and even pre-historic period mega-movies ( like Jodhaa Akbar, 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Ladenge’ and Mohenjo Daro ) and films with an undercurrent of patriotic fervor like ‘Lagaan and Swades. , Much before he acquired international glory with period movie ‘Lagaan’ which also had a cricket undercurrent ‘Lagaan’(2001), Ashutosh dared to direct movies like Pehla Nasha (1993) and Baazi (1995). In Baazi, Aamir’s male lead character had to also pose as a pretty lady ( Miss Julie) in a female outfit and a seductive female 'get-up' and even perform on-screen a foot-tapping cabaret-style dance-song Dole Dole Dil Dole!

Always wanting to take on new roles both in real-life and reel-life today Ashutosh is now a father-in-law ( Sasur-jee)  to his ‘bahurani’ Niyati Kanakia-Gowariker following the grand, lavish wedding of his tall, handsome son Konark with charming Niyati. Incidentally, Ashu's wife Sunita happens to be veteran popular golden-era star-actor Deb Mukherjee's daughter.

As an eminent senior journalist for past over 36 years, I have known modest Ashutosh as an amazing versatile, passionate actor and would frequently meet him at various media-conferences and promotion parties of his TV shows and initial movies both as an actor and later on as a budding director  and then later on as a Filmfare Award winner and National Film Award-winning successful film-maker.

Few years ago, when Ashutosh came to know I was close to legendary genius composer-singer R D Burman, that too for ten years, and I have authored a book on the composer, he personally called me up on phone to heartily compliment me. That’s because like me, Ashutosh said he is also an ardent fan of Pancham-da (R D Burman)

What a prestigious honor that Ashutosh Gowariker was appointed the Chairperson of the International Jury recently concluded grand 55th IFFI (Film-Fest ) held in Goa in November 2024.

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