'Chhaava' director Laxman Utekar says he was selling eggs, opened a 'wada pav' stall at Shivaji Park during his struggling days

Although 'Chhaava' received mixed feedback from critics, it went on to smash box office records by earning over Rs 800 crore at the worldwide box office. Director Laxman Utekar, who has directed only six films so far, struck gold with this blockbuster. However, his journey to success began humbly—he once earned a mere Rs 2 working during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and used to wash cars before he could afford to drive one. In a recent interview, Utekar opened up about his inspiring rise from modest beginnings to major success.

Early Life and Struggles in Mumbai

Laxman's journey began in a small village in Maharashtra’s Raigad district before moving to Mumbai with his uncle at a young age. On the Mama’s Couch podcast, he recounted how he took on every possible job to survive in the bustling city. Reflecting on his entry into the film industry, Utekar said, “I came into the industry by chance, and I had no backing. I was maybe 4 when my uncle brought me to Mumbai. I started selling boiled eggs outside a bar when I was 6 years old, and later I opened a vadapao stand in Shivaji Park, but that got seized by BMC.” He also shared a unique way he earned money during the Ganapati festival, explaining how many wealthy people preferred not to leave their cars to immerse their idols. To help, Utekar and a friend offered to carry and immerse the idols for a fee of Rs 5, which they split. He humorously noted that he would even chase after cars of affluent devotees to offer this service.

First Break in the Film Industry

He revealed that his initial break into the film industry came after he applied to a job advertisement in the newspaper and was hired as a sweeper at a studio. Reflecting on those early days, he said, “I started working as a sweeper for them, and I didn’t really understand what work they were doing. I would clean the floors and the washrooms, after which I would get tea for the people working in the sound and editing studio. I looked at their work and realised that whatever work they were doing was very interesting, and I wouldn’t leave for several days sometimes; I was never bored.” He added, “Since that day, I have never left the industry or looked back.” Utekar also spoke about his dedication to every task, mentioning that he washed cars with complete sincerity and was even praised by his boss for his thorough toilet cleaning. To make ends meet, he took on various odd jobs such as selling popcorn and newspapers.

Persistence and Opportunity

Utekar shared that upon learning about Sahara’s plan to establish a studio in the city, he made it a point to visit the location daily, patiently waiting by the gate. After three months of this routine, a man finally stopped his car and asked why he was lingering there. “I was waiting for someone to get of their car and ask me this question,” Utekar recalled. When he requested to begin work the following day, the man surprised him by saying, “Can you start today?”

Career Growth and Directorial Success

Laxman launched his career assisting acclaimed cinematographer Binod Pradhan, working on notable films like 'Dear Zindagi', 'Hindi Medium', and '102 Not Out'. He made his directorial debut with the Marathi film 'Taapal' in 2014 and has since directed successful Bollywood movies including 'Luka Chuppi', 'Mimi', and 'Zara Hatke Zara Bachke'.