Crooner as lead on big screen

We've known him as a two-time national awardee lyricist, playback singer, writer, assistant director and script writer for both the small and big screen. Swanand Kirkire has also done small parts and cameos in 13 films since 2003, however, now he plays a full-length role in Chumbak, a Marathi film presented by Bollywood star Akshay Kumar.

Kirkire says this role was both challenging and rewarding. The role of the lead protagonist Prasanna has taught him many life lessons. "The diretor had seen me in TataSky ads. I'd assumed the team wanted to meet me for its music, but was taken aback when I realised they wanted me to act the lead role, and one so tough to portray!" He recalls his reaction upon hearing the script. "It filled me with both excitement and trepidation."

The film revolves around credit card fraud, more commonly called 'phishing'. While admitting that the automatic reaction to phishing is anger, Kirkire adds that Chumbak will force the audience to think of how both the cheated and cheater are being played by the system. "It's told simply, but raises fundamental questions about inequality and core human values," he says.

Chumbak, will see two young boys debuting in key roles alongside Kirkire: Sahil Jadhav from Pune and Sangram Desai from Kolhapur. Leading Marathi actor Vibhavari Deshpande of Harischandrachi Factory and Sound of Heaven: The Story of Balgandharva fame, turned lyricist with the catchy title track of this film composed by Amar Mangrulkar.

Helmed by national awardee director Sandeep Modi, who has also assisted stalwarts like Ashutosh Gowariker, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Ram Gopal Verma, and produced and directed numerous award-winning short films.

"Chumbak is his debut feature length film," says Kirkire.

We eagerly await July 27 for its release.