Ritesh Deshmukh

He tickles our funny bone in every film he is a part of, and he’s one of those Bollywood actors who have tried their hand with different shades of comedy. But that hasn’t held this actor back from juggling the genre of drama. He a played a creepy villain in Ek Villain and chilled the audience. Post which, he debuted in the Marathi film industry with Lai Bhaari and it was his first commercial blockbuster. Riteish Deshmukh has risen, fallen and risen again, just to prove there is much more to him. Shravan Shah discovers what goes on in the head of this talented powerhouse, to make every comedy a laugh riot.

- Shravan Shah

Is it good, or stressful, being a part of a popular franchise like Housefull 3? 

It feels great being part of a film that comes every two three years and which has build its own credibility around it. When people enquire about when its next part is coming, you know that they want to see those characters again, they want that combination again, to enjoy and relive in a different zone.

Comedy is a genre not all can pull off, but when you are a part of it, the audience knows that they will surely have a good time. Is it a big responsibility when the audience depends on your performance in your film? How does it feel? 

Comedy is a genre that made me survive in this industry, it gave me that life span to live all my dreams. In terms of - to perform, to act with people I idolise, to travel the world. Also, it helped me overcome certain genres that failed. For example, Aladdin didn’t work. It was my big film; it is still close to my heart.

Raan was a film I really enjoyed, but that didn’t work. I loved the film Naach, but unfortunately, that film too didn’t work. As genres go, these were all non-comedies. But then, my comedies kept working on the side. Then came a time when I got Ek Villain and Lai Bhaari back-to-back. Both the films were from different genres; I had to survive all these years to get these two films. Thanks to comedy, it gave me the opportunity to do a thriller and a commercial film.

You were much appreciated in Ek Villain. Will we see you do more such meaty roles?