One must find lighter moments in life to bust stress: Choughule

 

 

He is immensely popular as a comedy icon. He is known as a master of timing and expression. Despite having spent a full day moving around, preparing for the skit that was presented later in the afternoon, taking good care of his co-artistes, and having food, he is willing to interact. How does he maintain so much energy? “My principle is simple: ‘Hasyamev Jayate, keep laughing, keep enjoying, keep people happy,” he replies. This is what constitutes renowned actor Sameer Choughule. The star of popular comedy Marathi television show ‘Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra’, Choughule revealed to ‘The Hitavada’ what makes him what he is today in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 75th anniversary celebrations of Maharogi Sewa Samiti (MSS) at Anandwan.

 

The biggest influences on him have been of the legendary Charlie Chaplin, Pu La Deshpande, and Rowan Atkinson. Behind every performance of Choughule, there is a deep study of the mannerisms, diction, timing, expression, and even fine gestures of these great names in the serious field of comedy. “I like them, rather, I worship them because they have proved to the world that the best comedy involves oneself. Instead of taking a dig or potshots at someone else, they had the boldness to have a comic take on oneself,” said Choughule, popularly known as ‘Sameer Dada’ across Maharashtra.

 

Charlie Chaplin had his own struggles but he kept his flexibility alive. He came across as the man-next-door. Everyone could connect with the characters he portrayed. Similarly, Choughule added, every comedian faces own struggles but has to respond to the popular expectation of coming up with something comic every time when he performs. To a question about the biggest challenge he faced during his 29 years of career, the ‘Charlie Chaplin of Maharashtra’ recalled that during COVID times, he had to do the shoots to make people laugh and forget the crisis even as someone from the family or acquaintances had taken ill. “It taught me that a comedian’s life is tough because he has to follow the hardest principle that the show must go on,” he said with his eyes, for a few seconds, trying to find a visual anchor in the surroundings. Did this make him the humble guy that he is today? “In 29 years of my career so far, I have seen more failures than success. It is only now that I am tasting great success. I have learned a lot many things during this journey.

 

The biggest thing that I have learned is to value success I have earned after a lot of effort,” Choughule said, while ceding to the requests of fans for selfies and photographs, without a wrinkle of irritation on forehead. But, how does he handle the frustrations or irritation in life? Is there some kind of a formula that the common people should follow? To these questions, the master blaster on stage responded with a smile, “I believe in a simple principle – Hasyamev Jayate. One must find lighter moments in life to bust stress. It may not resolve complex issues in life, but it can definitely reduce the intensity of those issues. One may not be able to change the circumstances but one can definitely change oneself with the right and positive attitude.”

 

Speaking of attitude, Sameer Choughule appealed to the people to visit Anandwan to realise how compassion is put into action. “Anandwan is a fine example of how compassion must be backed by action. Usually, people express regret over how bad the things are. But, doing only that does not effect change. In Anandwan, late Baba Amte and his next generations have been changemakers. After seeing the massive work that has been done for humanity here, one realises how small one is.

 

I am proud to be associated with Maharogi Sewa Samiti,” he elaborated. Right from the Government to the people, everyone must contribute to the cause of Maharogi Sewa Samiti and Anandwan, he stressed. On a personal front, Sameer Choughule is an unstoppable man, always brimming with new ideas. The swiftness in his movement conveys the trait of his personality. Out of this urge to do something new, he has started his mono-act ‘Samya Samya Maifilit Mazya’. He presents mono-act just like Pu La Deshpande did. Already, 17-18 shows of this have been held at Mumbai, Delhi, and even abroad. To a question, he replied with a smile, “I am sure, the show will be held in Nagpur, Vidarbha soon.” Also, he is playing the lead in a movie ‘Gulkand’ slated to be released on May 1. Written by Sachin Mote, directed by Sachin Goswami, the film’s cast also includes Prasad Oak, Saee Tamhankar, Isha De and others. It sounds like a ‘Maharashtra Hasyajatra’ team coming together, doesn’t it? “We are always together, a close-knit team,” Choughule said with a laugh, before departing.