"Maalik Ek" marks a comeback of sorts for actor Jackie Shroff, who dons the garb of Shirdi Sai Baba. The film is based on the saint's preachings and philosophies.
The film will take audiences back to the era when Sai Baba was refused or was prohibited from various communities and villages surrounding Shirdi in Maharashtra as the villagers thought he was a thief.
The much-delayed, low-budget film is directed by Deepak Balraj Vij and produced by Kishori Shahane Vij under the banner of Om The Mantra Productions. The film also stars veteran actor Manoj Kumar, Divya Dutta and Rohini Hattangadi.
Jackie admits that this role has changed his outlook.
"When I was offered this role, I was apprehensive whether I would be able to do justice to it or not. It took six months for the director to convince me. But once I got into the character and wore Sai Baba's clothes, everything looked easy," Jackie told
"I didn't prepare for it at all. I could automatically walk like him and even talk like him. This role has changed my soul and perception," he said.
The director has also roped in yesteryears actresses Zeenat Aman and Helen in key roles along with Rituparna Sengupta, Kabir Bedi, Tara Sharma and Asha Sachdev.
Sharma says his aim was to tell people that homosexuals are not abnormal.
"Through this film I wanted to bring out the relationship between these characters. How they feel, their emotions... My aim is not to make fun of them. It was a big challenge for me to deal with this subject. I'm happy that at least I gave it a shot," said Sharma.
"I want to send a message through my film that homosexuals are also human beings. They are not abnormal. So people shouldn't see them with a different perspective. Like we love, even they love. It's very important to create this awareness," Sharma added.
The film boasts of bold intimate scenes that attracted the attention of the censor board. According to recent reports, the board has cut a lovemaking scene featuring actors Yuvraj and Kapil, by about 60 percent. The film has been showcased at different festivals.
It is a story about a dreamer, whose dream is misled by destiny.
Apart from Milind, it also stars Anupam Kher and newcomers Shubh Mukherjee and Sabina Sheema.
