At 77 years old, veteran actor Usha Nadkarni continues to speak her mind with the same fearless candor that has defined her illustrious career across Marathi, Hindi, and South Indian cinema. In a recent conversation, she shared profound insights about work culture, stardom, and the essential quality of humility in the film industry, drawing from her rich personal experiences spanning decades.
A Lesson in Humility from Vijay Sethupathi
Recalling her time working on the silent film 'Gandhi Talks,' where she portrayed the mother of South superstar Vijay Sethupathi, Usha spoke warmly about his conduct on set. "In the silent film 'Gandhi Talks,' I played Vijay Sethupathi's mother. He is a very sweet person," she said, before highlighting what truly impressed her about his behavior.
Despite his massive popularity and star status, Vijay's demeanor remained disarmingly simple. "He is such a big star and still used to sit on the floor cross-legged," she remarked, adding pointedly, "Vijay Sethupathi always sat down with us, never asked for a chair despite being such a big South star."
The Stark Contrast with Hindi and Marathi Industries
Using Vijay's example as a benchmark, Usha couldn't help but contrast it with what she has frequently witnessed in the Hindi and Marathi film industries. "In our Marathi or Hindi industry, even if someone has achieved a little, they show a lot of attitude," she observed critically, before delivering a sharp assessment: "Today's actors feel like they are in Hollywood."
She emphasized how grounded Vijay remained throughout their collaboration. "We spoke so much. People should learn how simple he is," she said. One particular gesture stayed with her even after filming concluded. "On the last day, when the pack-up happened, he greeted me with respect," she recalled fondly.
Personal Moments and Industry Realities
Usha shared a small but telling personal moment that reflected their genuine bond. "I pulled his cheeks because I liked him," she laughed, before adding meaningfully, "Because he is such a big actor, but he has no arrogance." She followed this with a sobering reality check: "Otherwise, here even people with very little success have so much attitude."
Nevertheless, she struck a hopeful note, acknowledging that "such simple people also exist in the industry" beyond the examples she highlighted.
Usha Nadkarni's Work Philosophy and Positive Experiences
Summing up her own professional approach, Usha stated simply, "We should do our work, and once it is done, go home." When comparing different film industries, she added, "In Hindi, they show a lot of love and there is appreciation too."
She specifically named several Bollywood colleagues who left positive impressions on her. "Jackie Shroff is good," she shared affectionately, adding, "He calls me 'Darling hi'." Speaking about Akshay Kumar, she recalled, "I was in 'Rustom' with Akshay. He is also very nice." She even remembered a personal touch: "He showed me photos of his family on his phone. Akshay feels like one of us."
The True Meaning of Struggle and Groundedness
Returning once more to Vijay Sethupathi, Usha delivered her strongest praise yet. "I have not seen a more poor, simple man than him," she said, using the word 'poor' to emphasize humility rather than financial status. Describing the shooting conditions, she elaborated, "In the houses where we were shooting, he never asked for a chair to sit. He used to sit on the floor cross-legged with us."
Explaining why some actors manage to stay grounded despite success, she concluded with wisdom born of experience: "They know what it means to reach here after struggle." Ending on a blunt note that underscored her central critique, she said, "Here, people die with pride. If someone does one film, they start thinking they are some big Hollywood-level person."
Usha Nadkarni's reflections offer a rare glimpse into the contrasting work cultures within India's diverse film industries, highlighting both the humility she admires and the attitudes she believes need reconsideration.
