The talented and articulate Sai Tamhankar is glad that her performance in the recently released Netflix show, Dabba Cartel, has received a very positive response. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the actress spoke about it, her past works, her upcoming projects and a lot more.
Congrats on the response to Dabba Cartel. Do you go through the jitters before the release of a show or a film?
To be honest, yes, I do feel anxious before any release. Even when we got together for the trailer launch, I was really anxious as the response was really nice. That’s because you get the feeling ‘This show has to work. Such a wonderful cast, such a wonderful production house and such a wonderful director’. I can’t be happier looking at the response. What more can I ask for?
This is your third outing with Excel Entertainment after Agni and the upcoming Ground Zero. How has it been like being the Excel favourite?
(Laughs) I am glad you said that. I have always been their huge admirer as they tell stories that are different and worth telling. They are also passionate about what they want to tell. I have always seen Excel doing stuff that they don’t want to do. They have not gone with trends. Somewhere, down the line, I am also such a personality who does something which makes my heart happy and I think they also chose stories accordingly. Hence, I am very happy to be a part of their family.
You have played a lesbian in Dabba Cartel. Has there been any special feedback for it?
Honestly, being gay is just a part of this character. I am very happy that the focus was not on that aspect. This is what life is. Ek cheez pe focus karke hum nahin keh sakte ki ‘yeh meri zindagi hai’. Therefore, I am very happy that there was a realistic approach to it. Also, it was very subtle, and I am a person who admires subtlety. The sexuality part of the character was just an undercurrent and that was the most beautiful thing about this character.
We have seen films and shows being set in Mumbai, Pune or rural Maharashtra. Dabba Cartel is a rare show to be set in Thane and even shot in the satellite city…
Since we shot at multiple locations, I don’t exactly remember where all we shot. The locations were all interesting. The society, where we shot the show, was very authentic.
You also had more shooting locations as you could be zooming from Thane to Pune and back on your bike…
I had a blast riding a bike for Dabba Cartel. When you are shooting on a motorcycle, there are two people behind you and two in front of you. As a result, you can ride without any apprehension or fear! I made the most of it as I used to ride when I was in college. Then, I rode a bike briefly for (my Marathi film) Classmates (2015). And then directly, I rode a bike for Dabba Cartel.
I’ll tell you an interesting story. I had to undergo polishing classes for my bike scenes. On the first day, when I went for the class, there were four people present – two from the production and two were riding instructors. Maybe, they assumed that I’d practice and then gradually get a hang of riding the vehicle. I just wore my helmet and zoomed off. The next day, there was only one present out of the four (laughs)! That’s because they realized that I can confidently ride a bike.
Dabba Cartel ends on an unsettling note. You want the ladies to fight back. Hence, will there be a Season 2?
You have to ask producer Shibani Akhtar. She’ll be the right person. But I truly hope that there’s another season.
It is the era of re-releases, and many are watching these films they missed out on watching them on the big screen for various reasons. Since this is such a huge factor, do you feel OTT films should also deserve a chance in cinemas? Like, it’ll be so interesting to see your film Mimi (2021) in theatres…
That’s a great idea. I never thought about it! I think Mimi should be released in theatres. I’ll suggest this idea to the makers. Had it not been for Covid-19-induced lockdown, Mimi would have come into cinemas. Since Covid had happened, it had to be released straight on OTT.
The community experience in a cinema hall cannot be replicated anywhere. That’s what pulls us to cinemas.
Your film Hunterrr (2015) will complete 10 years on March 20. How do you look back at this film?
I look at it as a milestone. It went on to become a cult film. It was a film ahead of its time. I love exploring colours other than black and white. This is because our life is in between black and white. Hence, it's always amazing to explore characters that might be acceptable to society.
Nowadays, people are more accepting of such characters too…
I have been playing such characters when there was no acceptance as well. Aise bhi log hai society mein; inki kahani kaun dikhayega? They also need to be represented, and I am glad to do the needful!
You have some interesting releases. Matka King is highly awaited as it is directed by Nagraj Manjule. Gulkand seems entertaining…
Yes, I am also equally excited about Matka King. Gulkand is a very special film because it reunites me with my 'Maharashtrachi Hasya Jatra' team. It's like a homecoming; ghar ka mamla hai. There’s another upcoming Marathi film of Mine, Bol Bol Rani. I am quite looking forward to it. It’s a very interesting film and unlike anything that you have seen before in Marathi cinema.
We hear that you’ll be a part of a film backed by Luv Ranjan…
Well, I am going to be a part of a project of Luv Films. Woh kya hai, aapko jald hi pata chalega (smiles)! Again, it's something that I have never done before and I am very excited.
What are your plans for Holi?
We are actors and we need to take care of our skin. I don’t like to waste water. If I go out and see someone wasting water, I end up fighting with them. Hence, I don’t leave my house during the festival. But this Holi, I’ll be promoting Gulkand. I’ll have to go and play a little bit of Holi just for formality (smiles).
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