I ended up taking some genuine hits during the fight sequence: Sambhaji Sasane on his film Rubaab

Sambhaji Sasane, known for films like Wagherya, B.E. Rojgaar and Love & Shukla, is currently receiving appreciation for his portrayal of Suraj in the Marathi film Rubaab, which is now in its fifth week in theatres. Talking about his character, Sasane said, “Suraj is a fiercely self-respecting young man who carries a natural swagger and emotional intensity. He returns home with unresolved emotions, especially in his relationship with his father, who never supported his decision to marry his first love, Madhuri. What interested me as an actor is that behind Suraj’s tough exterior there is a deeply emotional person who values loyalty and honesty. For him, love, pride and dignity are closely connected, and that is what gives the character his ‘Rubaab’.”

Sharing how he prepared for the role, Sasane revealed that he spent weeks in the town where the story is set. “I stayed in Atpadi for over three weeks to understand the language, observe the people, and absorb the rhythm of life there. Since Suraj comes from that world, it was important for me to experience the environment rather than simply imagine it.” He also shared that director Shekhar Rankhambe follows an unusual method of narrating the story instead of giving actors a script.

“Interestingly, I never had the script in hand. My director narrates the story repeatedly instead of giving us the script to read. So the preparation became more of a listening journey than a reading one.” The actor also recalled an unexpected moment while shooting a fight scene. “We had rehearsed the stunt choreography with trained performers, but on the day of the shoot they couldn’t make it. We ended up filming the sequence with local boys who had never done choreographed action before. In the excitement, things became a little too real. A few punches landed harder than expected, and I ended up taking some genuine hits. My ribs and back were sore for almost a month afterwards. But I don’t blame them — they were just excited to be part of the shoot.”

Speaking about the response to the film, Sasane said, “The response has been very heartening. A lot of people have connected with Suraj, especially the way he approaches love and relationships.” “For me, the most beautiful feedback is when someone says the character felt real to them. That is the biggest reward for an actor.”

He added that staying together during the shoot helped the cast bond and better understand the film’s world. “We stayed in Atpadi for almost three weeks, so we naturally became a close-knit team. After shoots we would walk around nearby villages, observe people and talk to locals. Those experiences helped us build the world of the film together.”
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