Sharad Kelkar explains charging ₹101 for the film 'Srikanth'

Sharad Kelkar, known for his versatile acting skills, made an intriguing decision when he charged only ₹101 for his role in the biographical film 'Srikanth', which starred Rajkummar Rao and was directed by Tushar Hiranandani. Talking to News18, he revealed the reason behind this minimal fee.

Kelkar shared that his decision to charge only ₹101 for his role in the film 'Srikanth' was influenced by multiple factors. He mentioned that director Tushar Hiranandani didn’t have the budget to pay the amount Sharad would typically charge for a film. Rather than demanding his usual fee, Sharad chose not to ask for a significant sum from Tushar.

Sharad further explained that his decision was also rooted in his long-standing friendship with Tushar. He recalled how Tushar, with complete honesty, told him that if he had the funds, he would have gladly paid him the required amount. Understanding his friend's situation, Kelkar assured Tushar that he didn't need to pay him anything. He decided to act in the film out of goodwill, their friendship, and a belief in the story's importance.

The actor also highlighted the crucial role that writers play in an artist's career, stating that a writer is the one who imagines and creates a story. When director Tushar narrated the story of 'Srikanth' to him, he was immediately drawn to it. He plays the character of Ravi Mantha in the film, a role he found incredibly interesting. Sharad expressed his surprise at being offered such a unique character, given the industry's tendency to cast actors based on stereotypes. He noted that, due to his tall stature, he is often typecast as a villain or a police officer. However, this film allowed him to break away from those conventions and showcase his versatility as an actor.