Milind: Back to the roots

Milind Soman has become the new flag-bearer of regional cinema.
The model-actor, who is presently doing a Marathi film, Gandha, feels that big heroes should act in regional cinema. And, he explains why. ���I have realised that all actors must make it a point to work in their regional languages. Only that will improve the condition of regional cinema. Look at the Bhojpuri industry, for instance.Regional cinema is the real cinema,��� feels Milind.
And, why is that? ���That���s because,��� he says, ���Vernacular films tap the real culture and the roots of the people. Indian cinema today is Bollywood centric. When a national star does a regional film, the film has the stamp of his or her star status, and that will help change the perceptions of people about regional cinema,��� explains Milind.
Probably that���s the reason why he is also doing a Telugu film, which is incidentally a remake of the 2004 Rajkumar Santoshi film Khakee. ���Yes, I am doing a Telugu flick called Satyameva Jayate. And, I play Ajay Devgan���s role in this one,��� he smiles. ���Ajay was way too cool in the film, but I am really Telugu in this one which will release soon,��� says Milind. Really Telugu? What���s that supposed to mean? ���You have to see the film, then you will know what I mean,��� laughs he.
And, he doesn���t want to stop at Telugu cinema, but intends to do Bengali cinema as well. But, for the moment, he is concentrating only on Gandha. ���I am playing a photographer in the film who meets his wife after a year-and-a-half. And, the film is about the problems in their relationship. I am playing opposite actor Sonali Kulkarni,��� says Milind. Is it a romantic story? ���No, it is more of a social drama,��� adds Milind.
Gandha, in Marathi, means ���fragrance���, and ���it is about how different people react to different odours, different smells. The film is in three parts. There are three stories with different characters and different plots which aren���t connected with each other, but the theme binds the film together,��� he informs.
Milind has also bagged a role in an untitled Hindi film, which is based on a true story. Looks like the actor is bent on Indianisation of regional cinema.