Rohini Hattangadi: Once More is a comedy, but it also makes us introspect

In this interview, Rohini Hattangadi reveals why she chose to be a part of Once More and how prosthetics is a new ballgame for her.

Why did you choose to be a part of Once More?

Initially, when I was offered the film, I thought I would like to do it as I get to play the queen. But when I was told that I am playing the ‘ajobaa’ (grandfather) too, I took a few minutes for that idea to sink in. Just because the director had so much confidence in me, I felt like taking it up. So, when I was told that I have to play two roles in this film, I took it up as a challenge. Both these roles were different and interestingly they weren’t double roles. I am playing a man and a woman, and it is not like a woman is dressed as a man in the movie. The character is a man. So I wanted to take it up and see how it goes.

What all went into preparing for these roles?

If today I am able to play these two roles, it is because my director helped me a lot. So much prosthetics and make-up has gone into it, and that’s how I could play my role convincingly. I would take at least four hours to get ready. Every time I saw myself in the mirror after the make-up, I couldn’t believe it was me. I felt like a completely different person.

What about these two roles did you enjoy doing the most?

Ajobaa’s character is more fun in this movie. I was very relaxed. I didn’t feel like myself at all, so I could live his life freely. He is always in his zone, and the dialogue was light too.

While playing the ‘maharaani’ (queen), I had to be prim and proper. I was made to look taller. The headgear that I wore was also six inches high. I have played queens on screen in the past. I once portrayed the character of Sulatana Razia, so playing this role was neither difficult, nor did I have to put in extra effort. But I really wanted to make sure that the ajobaa that I play, he shouldn’t look like a woman. It shouldn’t have any of my feminine traits.

What according to you is the highlight of the film?

Once More is a comedy for sure, but it also makes us introspect. There are many situations in life where we don’t think while behaving in a certain way. Then there are instances which leads to the realisation that maybe this is happening because you had behaved in a certain way. This thought at times is self liberating, according to me. That is Once More for me. It is a second chance we get in life, to understand the surroundings and worldly happenings. It is this moment that we should take to better ourselves for our future.

This is going to be a one-of-its-kind film in Marathi cinema. We haven’t tried doing something like this before.