Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad, an amazing talent in the Marathi film industry, has recently garnered significant attention for his film Tuzhiyasthi Kahihi. Known for its profound message on organ donation, the film has touched audiences worldwide and has received accolades in various international film festivals. His film has also received awards from the Blue Bird Film Festival as well. “This film is under the banner of Sankalp Karmanya Chitra and name of this film producer is Kalpana Sanjay Gaikwad Mukhedkar”, says Sanjay.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Gaikwad to delve deeper into his journey, his inspiration, and his vision for the future. 
Interviewer: What initially sparked your interest in filmmaking, and how did you embark on your journey in the industry
Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad: “My interest in film making since my childhood dream. I am stage artist since my age of 3 rd . Every time and every dramas , I have secured Best Actor Award. In the industry, I have acted in 3 Marathi films namely Apaharan , Dhav Manya Dhav , Chal Aata Pal , and 2 Television serials namely Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj not big role but side actor. I have taken participants in reality shows on NDTV namely Raz pichale Janam ka , on ETV Marathi namely Divided and Kon Hoil Marathi Crorepati , acted in 2 Short films and made 1 Short films namely Harvlela Desh ( The Lost Country) and this film got 3 International Film Festival award . And lastly and currently Marathi feature film Tuzhyasathi kahihi on Organ Donation. I have acted in this film as a lead role of Deaf Krishna , also I am Director, Story , Script writer, Lyricist , Music Director, Choreographer of 2 songs , 2 fight scenes for this film.”
Interviewer: “Tuzhiyasthi Kahihi” carries a profound emotional resonance. Can you share the inspiration behind the film and what motivated you to tell this particular story?
Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad: “This film is based on Organ Donation. Everyone knows about Blood donation, Eye donation but many doesn’t know about Oragan donation. Public wants to donate their body but doesn’t know how ? Where ? Why ? It’s a complicated subject. But I have written script such that everyone can understand about Organ Donation, how to fill up Organ Donation form , why to donate ? In which disease, one can’t donate , in which age one can donate, in which Hospitals one can donate , what is Donor Card , Is there any religious hurdles, any restriction for last rituals.. Every audiance can find out all answers in this film. Also this film tells about respect the Flag of Country, respect the Women’s of every country, Save the Tiger. These are messages but tells in full entertainment style like Love triangle, fight scenes, sweet songs , powerful Music , and emotional such that every audience will shed their tears by watching emotional scenes.”
Interviewer: As a filmmaker, what challenges did you encounter during the production of “Tuzhiyasthi Kahihi,” and how did you overcome them?
Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad: “For making film , Money is important. We have tried for financers but none was there to give finance because we are new to industry. Then We have taken Personal loan from Banks . For lead Male role , I wanted to take Salman Khan and lead female role Madhuri Dikshit. I have tried to approach them but I have got answers from them about their high fees and also hesitated to work with new production. That’s why I have decided to play lead role of Deaf Krishna. And taken 2 new female artist for Radha character namely Ishiyana kaur from Punjab , Meera character namely Himanee Pathak from Lucknow. Both are Hindi siders , there was language from both artists.I have taught them Marathi language. After some days shoot, some main artist demanded extra money and left the film , due to that I have to change my scripts again and taken another artists . Also in the film journey, my films scripts was stolen by 4 times by famous artists, again I have to change my scripts.”
“In addition, for my songs , I have approached many famous Musicians but some wanted to change my lyrics, I have refused to change my lyrics of National brotherhood and some musicians fees , i couldn’t afford ,that’s why I have studied Musics technique from YouTube because I love Music since my childhood, i knew the rhythm but I didn’t know proper Music technique . I have taken rented Music studio and given rhythm to all my 4 songs of film and given Music instruments properly and become songs such that now Famous Music company wants to take these songs and also won many Awards for these songs.”
“Also , there was Choreographer for this film but I have choreographed 2 songs . Also , there was Fight master for this film but I have given original stunts without fight master. In addition, I have to shoot Tiger fight scenes but my editor and DOP told that it will be expensive upto 30 to 40 lacs minimum and need VFX techniques , they told me to delete that scenes but I have studied again by YouTube of Hollywood and South movies , then I shoot and edited that scenes in only 500 rupees.”
“And lastly , i have acted in last original rain scene such that no chappal or shoes in my feets , no upper dress , only Dhoti and already my right knee ligaments are teared since 20 yrs back , many Orthopaedic drs suggested to do surgery but I have refused due to no guarantee of curing 100 % , like such injured leg , I have to throw wheel on terrorist. That wheel was so heavy that 4 people needed to pick up. My fight master has deleted that scenes because I couldn’t pickup that wheel by my hands.”
Interviewer: How do the themes of your film resonate with your personal experiences or observations?
Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad: “First motto was to educate people about Organ Donation. Because many people died due to non availability of Organs , there was many waiting list for Organs . Organs can’t sell or purchase but only to donate . I knew that I couldn’t succeed to give all information in one film but I could teach people like Organ Donation form filling to many answers of people regarding donation. And I have succed in that , after watching my film, 90 % audience taken original Organ Donation form which I have given after film shows.”
“In addition, one personal experience that after Independence day ceremony and 26 th January Republic day , many people’s threw National flag on road , it’s very disrespect to our National flag, that’s why I have made National song on that . In this song , one stanza for those people who live out of India , how they feel about Motherhood , one stanza for those Freedom fighters who shed their blood for country.”
Interviewer: “Tuzhiyasthi Kahihi” has garnered critical acclaim and won awards. How does this recognition impact your approach to future projects and your overall journey as a filmmaker?
Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad: “This film got Oscar Award eligible in 5 Categories Best Actor, Best writer, Best Lyricist, Best Score, Best Picture in 2023. This film was released in Los Angeles, CA, USA .Everyone can understand this film because emotions has no language and no countries boundaries. After Oscar Award eligible, I have sent for Film Festival,it’s a reverse this film was awarded by many International Film Festival like Parai International Musical Award, Mei International Film Festival, Indo Dubai International film festival, Blue Bird Film Festival , The Women’s Bioscope , India International Film Festival , Mauritius International Film Festival , The Underground International Film Festival, UK and many more. Definitely, this recognition impact on my future projects and give me more energy to do more . But unfortunately My Maharashtra state hasn’t given subsidy for this film because jury members of Maharashtra state hasn’t selected for subsidy , it’s very disappointed. In addition , in next round, this film wasnot watched by Oscar Award jury members after completing their all terms and conditions and paying their official fees and not selected for Nomination. My wife Kalpana Sanjay Gaikwad Mukhedkar sent Honble Highcourt legal notice to Oscar Award committee President , 9 Vice President, 19 Board of Governors but no response from them , then sent notice by Honble Supreme court but no response, then sent notice from American court again no response from them for 2 times but on 3 Rd time , Oscar committee members attended Honble court hearing. I was there personally in Honble American court and my wife was on live by Computer from India because she has not got Visa. There was no advocate from our side, but there are many advocates from Oscar committee side. On that day , there were 15 cases, Honble Judge has finished all cases within 5 to 10 minutes each case but our case was extended for 60 minutes long time. My wife has single handedly fight with them with all proofs. Ek Nari Sab pe Bhari. Honble judge hasnot given judgement on that day, told to send by email. That was Our Victory but after 2 days Honble Judge has sent judgement that both sides are not given any reimbursement. Ok. We accepted that judgement but that case we not won but not lose. Oscar Award Committee and Honble understand that they have done wrong with our film and given injustice to our film.”
Interviewer: Can you elaborate on your creative process and approach to storytelling? Are there any specific techniques or influences that inform your filmmaking style?
Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad: “Every film maker has their own style to tell story. I love Music and Entertainment and i am born actor that’s why I have told this complicated story in full Entertainment. This is films Part 1 and i would like to make Part 2 . But it’s difficult due to financial issues.”
Interviewer: As an independent filmmaker, what role do you believe film festivals play in promoting and showcasing diverse voices and stories?
Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad: “Film Festivals are impartial for selecting films but Big Awards like Oscars are showing partiality , i have experience . I love the Oscar, I respect the Oscars but unfortunately they have done partiality to our film.”
Interviewer: Looking back on your journey with “Tuzhiyasthi Kahihi” and beyond, what advice would you offer to aspiring filmmakers who are just starting out?
Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad: “Do your best , money matters but there should be good content, new story and should be tell in different style and strictly don’t make duplicate films or take story of others but it should be Original. First you love your film , People will love your film.”
Ending Note:
At the end, Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad expresses his acknowledgement by stating: “Thanks all of you.. Thanks again Blue Bird Film Festival. Again , this film willbe re released for School students, College students of every state with the help of respective Government because this film is very good for spreading Social message like Donate Organs and Save the Lives . I hope all State Government and Central Government will support this film . Again thanks to my wife Film Producer Kalpana, Elder son Sankalp who is Photographer of this film , younger son Karmanya who has played little Krishna in this film , Dr Dinbandhu Shelke , Dr Autee , My Mother Parvatibai Madhavrao , My beloved Dog Sheru who is no more and all staffs , workers whose contribution is very much in this film.”
Sanjay Gaikwad’s journey from a childhood dream to an acclaimed filmmaker is a testament to his passion, resilience, and commitment to storytelling. His work in Tuzhiyasthi Kahihi is not only educational but also inspiring, proving that with determination and originality, impactful cinema can transcend boundaries.
Here at the Blue Bird Film Festival, we celebrate the creative minds behind the films as well as the films themselves. We eagerly await the interviews with more such cinematic gems coming soon.
