The controversy erupted after Rohan Gujar and Ketaki Palav shared videos on social media following their removal from the play. Subsequently, Leena Bhagwat and Mangesh Kadam also posted videos presenting their side of the issue.
Reacting to the controversy in an interview, Manjrekar said he had watched both videos and did not agree with the manner in which the actors were removed. He said he had followed the journey of the play, which initially struggled to attract audiences before being discontinued. When it was restarted, the COVID-19 pandemic created further difficulties.
Manjrekar noted that Leena Bhagwat and Mangesh Kadam had kept the production going despite extremely difficult circumstances. The original producers were different, but Bhagwat and Kadam later decided to take responsibility for producing the play themselves. However, Rohan Gujar and Ketaki Palav had remained associated with them throughout those seven years and continued supporting the production despite its challenges.
Manjrekar acknowledged that he did not know how much money the actors had demanded. However, he pointed out that the play was currently running successfully and featured only four characters. He felt the situation could have been handled more thoughtfully through a discussion about remuneration.
According to Manjrekar, the producers could have explained that increasing the actors' remuneration was not financially possible and discussed whether they wanted to continue performing in the play. If the actors did not wish to continue under those circumstances, both sides could have explored alternatives and allowed them to complete a few more performances while the producers searched for replacements.
He specifically criticised the decision to inform the actors overnight that they would not be required from the following day. Manjrekar said such treatment was unfair, considering that Gujar and Palav had stood by the production for seven years. He added that removing them when the play was performing well, after they had supported it during its difficult phase, was particularly disappointing.
Manjrekar also praised Leena Bhagwat's performance in the play, recalling that he had once told her she was the best in the world. He said the work she was doing in the production was something even an actor in the Hindi film industry would find difficult to replicate.
He further acknowledged the contribution of Rohan Gujar and Ketaki Palav, saying both had supported Bhagwat equally. Manjrekar concluded by expressing hope that the actors and producers would sit together and discuss the matter to find a mutually acceptable solution.
His remarks have brought further attention to the dispute surrounding ‘Aamne Samne’, particularly the question of how long-standing professional associations should be handled when disagreements over remuneration and continuing a production arise.
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