From real to reel, Bal Sadan protégé continues to live his role

For someone whose parents work as farm labourers, the part of a sarpanch in play ‘Shetkari ki Atmahatya’ could have been an emotional purge. But Sahil Kene at 13 was too young to understand the nuances of the skit or the surroundings at Bal Sadan, an orphanage where he had just come to live since his parents couldn’t afford to feed or educate him.
The seriousness with which Sahil enacted his part caught the attention of Prashant Hadke who, as secretary of Bal Sadan and also a theatre person, had staged the play at the farewell function of some boys there.The short act opened a floodgate of opportunities for Sahil. Four years later he has a fine repertoire of short films, awards and acclaim at Cannes Film Festival and a theatre release of his first feature film ‘Amhi Butterfly’ scheduled for August 26.
“It was a one minute role but he was a natural and excelled with his expressions and body language and I knew instantly that he has the potential to be a fine actor,” says Hadke who then decided to groom him. “I took help of Rupesh Pawar, the founder of Meraki theatre. Sahil trained under him and learnt the finer points of acting,” says Prashant.
Pawar used to set up plays for the boys at Bal Sadan for state drama competitions. “Sahil would get a part in these plays and this helped in furbishing his skills as an actor,” says Prashant.
When film director Raj Gupta was searching for a 14-year-old village boy for his short film ‘Dhaaga’, Rupesh introduced Sahil to him. He was cast as the protagonist along with four other actors — Mukund Wasule, Ashwini Ladekar, Dr Bhagyashree Chitnis and Gagan Gajarlawar.
“It was a film about sibling love where I end up killing my father who could not protect my sister,” says Sahil. The film won acclaim at Cannes and Berlin film festivals.
Over the last five years, Sahil has acted in few short films that include ‘Pot’, ‘Aus’, ‘Bhook’, and ‘Khod’ with Prashant doing the hand holding. “He would negotiate the films and my role in it, would bear my travelling and other expenses and would even accompany me for the shooting,” says Sahil.
“When Sahil had come to Bal Sadan he couldn’t speak either Marathi or Hindi properly. I encouraged him to read newspapers,” says Hadke and adds, “The script of the film and his dialogues were sent before the shooting began and so I would sit with him and make him learn and practice dialogue delivery.”
Graduating to a feature film came as easily as acting in theatre and roles in short films. Three years back Rajesh Rangari, who heads the Nagar Parishad in Nagpur, visited Bal Sadan to celebrate his birthday with the children there.
“A play had been put up by the boys and I was amazed to see Sahil’s acting talent,” says Rangari. He took a decision to finance a film then and there. “Prashant told me that Sahil had acted in some short films. Initially Amhi Butterfly was also planned as a short film, but finally it shaped into a two hour long feature film,” says Rangari who has produced the film.
“I had put some personal money and also collected funds from various sources. It was tough but I felt I owed it to this boy from nowhere who had the potential to achieve success with a bit of backing,” adds Rangari.
The film tells the story of a poor boy who wants to celebrate his birthday in the manner of his rich peers. “I wanted to cast a child actor who could play the part of an underprivileged young boy and also had innocent looks. Sahil was the perfect fit,” says Shreekumar Shiras who has directed the film along with Aniket Limje.
“There are many kids in orphanages who don’t even know their correct birthdate. Sahil could feel the pain of the character and got all the emotions and expressions right,” adds Shiras.
“I learn by observing people’s behaviour,” says Sahil who has so far acted in films with dark themes. “I can identify with the subject as I have grown up in poverty and have had a deprived existence,” he adds.
With this film he is hoping for better times. Though Sahil wants to move to Mumbai to try his luck, his mentor Prashant has prepared a plan B for him. “I have finished first year of ITI. If nothing works I will at least be able to earn a living as an electrician,” says the young actor who has so far worked without any remuneration.