Veteran Marathi actress Usha Nadkarni needs no introduction. Over her decades-long career, she has delivered numerous memorable performances. She is especially known for her powerful roles in television shows like Pavitra Rishta, where she acted alongside Sushant Singh Rajput, and has performed on stage worldwide. Recently, Usha revealed that she was once offered a role in Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy, but she chose to turn it down, despite the film starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.
Usha Nadkarni reveals rejecting Gully Boy
Discussing her experience with Gully Boy, Usha shared why she declined the role. In an interview with Pinkvilla, she revealed that when she was called in for an audition by a young assistant, she questioned his age and reminded him that she had been working longer than he had been alive. She said, “I asked who the director is, and he told me. I said, ‘Bade baap ki beti hai na. Mera kaam dekh. Computer pe naam laga mera, phir maalum padega maine kya kya kiya hai’ (She’s the daughter of a big man, isn’t she? I told him to look me up online, and she’ll know who I am and what I’ve done).”
She insisted that the production team should have checked her resume before asking her to audition.
Going forward, Usha expressed frustration at being asked to audition by young assistants who she believes lack the professionalism and respect for senior actors. Usha also talked about the lack of basic manners and respect she experienced during the audition process. She recalled an incident where young assistants did not even offer her a chair when she arrived. They told her the director was busy and handed her a script to read, which she found disrespectful. She said she threw the script and walked out, frustrated with the way she was treated.
The actress also addressed the criticism she has received for being “arrogant.” Usha said she stands by her words and feels it is important for senior actors to be treated with respect. She pointed out that it’s not arrogance but self-respect, and that those who manage auditions should understand the stature and experience of the actors they are dealing with.
Usha Nadkarni’s career includes many popular works beyond Pavitra Rishta. She has been a part of numerous shows produced by Balaji Telefilms and has performed in various stage productions internationally. More recently, she appeared on Celebrity MasterChef India.
About Gully Boy
For the unversed, Gully Boy, directed by Zoya Akhtar, stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt and received both critical acclaim and commercial success. The film was India’s official entry to the 2019 Oscars. Zoya Akhtar is the daughter of famous writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar.
Usha Nadkarni reveals rejecting Gully Boy
Discussing her experience with Gully Boy, Usha shared why she declined the role. In an interview with Pinkvilla, she revealed that when she was called in for an audition by a young assistant, she questioned his age and reminded him that she had been working longer than he had been alive. She said, “I asked who the director is, and he told me. I said, ‘Bade baap ki beti hai na. Mera kaam dekh. Computer pe naam laga mera, phir maalum padega maine kya kya kiya hai’ (She’s the daughter of a big man, isn’t she? I told him to look me up online, and she’ll know who I am and what I’ve done).”She insisted that the production team should have checked her resume before asking her to audition.
Going forward, Usha expressed frustration at being asked to audition by young assistants who she believes lack the professionalism and respect for senior actors. Usha also talked about the lack of basic manners and respect she experienced during the audition process. She recalled an incident where young assistants did not even offer her a chair when she arrived. They told her the director was busy and handed her a script to read, which she found disrespectful. She said she threw the script and walked out, frustrated with the way she was treated.
The actress also addressed the criticism she has received for being “arrogant.” Usha said she stands by her words and feels it is important for senior actors to be treated with respect. She pointed out that it’s not arrogance but self-respect, and that those who manage auditions should understand the stature and experience of the actors they are dealing with.
Usha Nadkarni’s career includes many popular works beyond Pavitra Rishta. She has been a part of numerous shows produced by Balaji Telefilms and has performed in various stage productions internationally. More recently, she appeared on Celebrity MasterChef India.
