Let’s shoot films in Konkan, say no to Maldives: Swanand Kirkire

| Updated: 14 January, 2024 9:58 pm IST

NEW DELHI: Iconic lyricist and actor Swanand Kirkire during a conversation with The New Indian’s Executive Editor Rohan Dua, shed light on the Maldives fiasco. He staunchly supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep and his take on promoting our own pristine beaches. Kirkire also shared that Maldives should accept that its tourism is dependent on India.

Here are a few excerpts from the interview:

Rohan: What was your experience shooting in Konkan, especially considering the current discussions around it? Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has encouraged exploration of the Konkan region, Lakshadweep also comes in that.

Swanand: “Konkan can become a really beautiful tourist destination. It is meditative and it’s not only beautiful, our spirituality resides there. There are so many temples. It is beautiful and untouched. We have so many places in India that are yet to be explored. So we should certainly explore these places with responsibility.”

Rohan: Did you follow what happened since the time the Prime Minister visited Lakshadweep islands, which the previous governments did not do, and how we pushed Maldives?

Swanand: “Yes, I followed it and that’s the correct path to follow. We showed Maldives its place and that we won’t take anything. If your economy is dependent on us then it is. What the Prime Minister said is absolutely right.”

Rohan: I was really impressed with your role in ‘Dipankar Desai’. There is a scene where you and Shefali are coming back from a hut where we can see sadness in your face and yet you are also a caring husband. There is a twist.

Swanand: “That’s the jist of my character. There is jealousy, he is also trying to find his place and yet he knows that he isn’t that good as her childhood friend. He is a poet, he does embroidery and my character knows that he is less than him. But he still cares for his wife. And in dementia, a lot of people just go away, so in a scene she goes away and he is guilty and worried because he also said things he shouldn’t have last night in the movie. When the person is alive and with you, you can fight with them but if they go away then what will you do?”