Gangaram (character)

Gangaram
Dhadakebaaz character
Laxmikant Berde as Gangaram
First appearance	Dhadakebaaz (1990)
Created by	Mahesh Kothare
Portrayed by	Laxmikant Berde
In-universe information
Alias	Genie Gangaram
Gender	Male
Occupation	Magician
Weapon	Magical sand
Significant other	Kavtya Mahakal

Gangaram is a fictional character from the 1990 Indian Marathi film Dhadakebaaz. It was created by Mahesh Kothare and portrayed by Laxmikant Berde. In the film, Lakshya (also played by Berde) gets a magic bottle. Gangaram is in that bottle and Gangaram has the magic sand. Using this sand, Gangaram helps Lakshya and his friends in defeating Kavtya Mahakal.

Development

Initial concept and casting

The development of the Gangaram character began with Mahesh Kothare's vision for a fantasy-themed film following the success of Thartharat (1989). Kothare originally wanted actor Dada Kondke to play the role of the Gangaram. However, when Dada Kondke refused to take on the guest appearance, Kothare faced a dilemma. Despite several attempts to convince Dada, including meeting him at his office and dubbing studios, the actor remained firm in his decision, citing his previous rejections of other major roles, such as those offered by renowned director Manmohan Desai.

As a result, Kothare revised his approach and decided to adapt the role of Gangaram into a double role for the character of Lakshya, played by Laxmikant Berde. The shooting of Dhadakebaaz had begun, while at the same time, Berde was approached for Maine Pyar Kiya by Sooraj Barjatya. After discussing with Kothare, Berde decided to allocate his dates for Maine Pyar Kiya once the shooting of Dhadakebaaz was complete.

Magical theme

A promotional poster features Laxmikant Berde as Gangaram, shown trapped inside a bottle. After thousands of years, the bottle is found by Laxmikant Hajare, Gangaram's pure-hearted descendant.

Kothare's interpretation of magic in the film was rooted in the idea that true magic resides within a person's own mind and self-power. The concept of external magical forces or illusions was secondary to the belief that personal strength and purity of heart held the real power to unlock extraordinary changes.

In the context of the Gangaram character, this theme was explored through his curse. Gangaram, after being cursed by his guru, finds himself locked inside a bottle. The curse stipulates that he can only be freed when a pure-hearted descendant of his captor touches the bottle, releasing him.

VFX and special effects development

The visual effects required to bring Gangaram in a bottle to life were one of the most ambitious technical aspects of Dhadakebaaz. In order to achieve this, Kothare traveled to the United States to gain expertise in VFX. This opportunity arose through a connection with director Ravi Chopra, who facilitated Kothare's communication with Paul, the VFX director at Twentieth Century Fox.

Kothare spent a year in the U.S., training in the VFX technologies, with a focus on blue screen technology, which was commonly used in American cinema at the time. However, he faced a challenge when the specific intermediate negatives required for the VFX shots were in short supply. Kothare first approached Kodak to inquire about intermediate stocks. Realizing that importing these materials would require large orders, Kothare contacted Peter Pereira, cinematographer of Ajooba, who helped source the necessary film stock.

These imported negatives were critical for the creation of the Gangaram in a bottle effect. While Peter Pereira used some of the stock for his film, Kothare utilized the remainder for his own VFX work. Kothare to effectively bring the magical element of Gangaram's bottle to the screen.

Fictional biography

Gangaram is a mystical and ancient character, who was once a skilled magician and the ancestor of Laxmikant Hajare (Lakshya), one of the film's main protagonists. Thousands of years ago, Gangaram was learning magic from a guru when a tragic accident occurred. The guru, angered by this, cursed Gangaram by trapping him inside a small bottle using magical sand. He was told that he would only be freed from the curse when his descendant used the sand for their own benefit.

Trapped for centuries, Gangaram remained confined within the bottle, awaiting his release. His freedom is eventually linked to Lakshya, his descendant, who inadvertently brings him back to life. Gangaram, upon being freed, reveals his true identity to Lakshya and becomes an essential ally in the battle against the evil crime lord Kavtya Mahakal.

Throughout the film, Gangaram demonstrates immense magical abilities, including using his powers to help Lakshya, Ganga, and their friends escape danger, heal wounds, and even perform feats like coloring a temple in minutes. He also plays a key role in helping Lakshya fight against the forces of evil.

Despite his magical prowess, Gangaram stresses the importance of mental strength over magical abilities. In the end, after helping to defeat Kavtya Mahakal and his henchmen Divtya, Gangaram is finally freed from his curse. Before departing for his heavenly abode, Gangaram gives a final piece of advice to Lakshya and his friends, urging them to stay united and always be powerful in the face of evil.

Reception

The role of Gangaram that bottle has become a household name in the minds of the audience. At that time, the Gangaram and Kavtya Mahakal becomes most popular characters in the film.

References

Cited works

• Kothare, Mahesh (2023). Damn It Ani Barach Kahi (in Marathi). Mehta Publishing House. ISBN 978-8195970964.