EXCLUSIVE: “Climbing Mountains and trekking are my hobbies” says actor Milind Gunaji

It has been over two decades for actor Milind Gunaji in the TV and film industry. Starting his career with the film ‘Papeeha’, Milind has played very vital roles in Bollywood hits like ‘Godmother’, ‘Devdas’, ‘Fareb’, ‘Virasat’, ‘Phir Hera Pheri’, ‘Khatta Meetha’ and have also done films down South like ‘Krishma Vande Jagadgurum’. Milind Gunaji is one of very well appreciated actor, accomplished photographer and writer. Milind Gunaji has made his presence felt in television shows like ‘Hum Ne Li Hai…Shapath’, ‘Dharti Ka Veer Yoddha Prithviraj Chauhan.’ After a hiatus of two years, currently, the actor can be seen playing Col. Arun Abhyankar in Ashutosh Gowariker show on Star Plus, ‘Everest’. In an exclusive interaction with Pinkvilla.com, Milind talks about his journey, his mountaineering experience and much more. Excerpts:

How has been your journey till now in the both film and TV industry?

I have done more than 150 films so far in different in all
languages. Maximum films have been in Hindi and countless TV serials
so far. This has given me recognition and appreciation as an actor and
performer. Also my travel shows on TV are among the most popular in
Maharashtra for last 15 years. But still I feel that I have yet to
achieve a lot.

Tell us about your character in the serial Everest?

I am playing the character of the leader Colonel Arun
Abhyankar for an expedition to Everest. It’s a very pivotal and
central character. Story is of a young girl who wants to prove herself
by conquering Mount Everest. I play her guide and trainer who take
her for this expedition with few other mountaineers. How Colonel Arun
Abhyankar shape up her personality and grit forms the story line.

How has the experience been?

It is a mega serial. And in any case Ashutosh Gowarikar
believes in doing everything on grand scale. So, like his films, even
his television show has the same flavor and range that is showcased in
his films. Naturally my experience was also great. I am a mountaineer
by hobby and choice also and have done lot of mountain climbing. We
shot at impossible locations in deep snow but it had a thrill of
different kind.

Did you have to go through any special training for this?

Training no but I had to go through a rigorous physical check
up and stamina test before I could sign for the show. Anybody with
lower capacity could not have climbed the high peaks with such low
levels of oxygen and high risk zones in snow. My experience as a
trekker came handy.

Tell us about your forthcoming Hindi films? You are supposed to be
playing very diverse characters?

Yes I am. In International film ‘Kamasutra – 3 D’,
I play the central role of a ruthless king who is the most powerful
king of his time. He is completely engrossed in materialistic
pleasures. In ‘Brahmand Nayak Sai Baba’, I am playing the role of Sai
Baba. He is a completely dethatched enlightened one and one of the
most worshipped saints in India. I have shown the complete range of
young to old Sai Baba. Then there is a film on Shani Dev wherein I am
playing role of Shanidev himself. This will be a bilingual in Hindi and
Marathi both. Even my character in ‘Bhai Ka Maal Hai’ is comically
negative, which is again a different genre. This is the artistic
challenge.

Your Marathi Projects?

I am doing very select and interesting Marathi films.
Critically acclaimed and successful just released film ‘Tapal’ was
designed by me. I have just finished shooting for another Marathi film
‘Than Than Gopal’. In this film I am playing a cunning but colorful
Social activist, uncle to a blind boy played by Vivek Chabukswar, and
my character who makes use of the weaklings at the NGO to earn his
living. Another film to go on floor is ‘Rashtra’ with co-actors like
Vikram Gokhale, Yatin Karyekar, Rohini Hattangade etc

Post ‘Everest’, will we see you more often on television?

If I get good offers and my character is substantial, then
yes I will be more than willing to do television. And why not? TV
offers such a huge fan base. You reach to your viewers directly into
their homes.

How did acting, photography, wild life enthusiast and writer all in
one happen to you?

I think all my activities are complementary to each other.
When I go for film shoots in Maharashtra, India and sometimes around
the world, then we are on the best locations with different people of
cultures. This initiates me in making use of my camera. Also my
co-artists have been a great subject for clicking on camera. Then I
write about my experiences. I have written 12 books till date and have
had multiple editions printed. And from the responses I have been
getting for my books, I know that I do have a knack for it.

What do you love most out of all the activities that you currently posses?

Like a mother who can’t differentiate among all her kid I can’t
distinguish. All are equally creative and satisfying.

What is next surprise coming from your end?

May be a book on adhyatma (spirituality).