Sachin Khedekar is most remembered for his impactful roles in films in Astitva (2000) and Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005). The actor, who has largely restricted himself to Marathi cinema lately, says he'd like to see the regional industry flourish like Bollywood. As his upcoming film, Aajacha Divas Majha, approaches its release this week, he is concerned that the Ajay Devgn starrer Himmatwala - which hits theatres on the same day - might give his film tough competition. He speaks to us about his new film, the Marathi film industry and more: Why haven't we seen you in more Hindi films? They don't have scope for supporting characters anymore.

The kind of roles I used to do - heroine's father or hero's brother - used to be interesting. But they have stopped coming my way. For filmmakers, there's always an Anupam Kher, a Rishi Kapoor or a Vinod Khanna to pick from; these are names I can't fight. Now, I want to play lengthy roles in Hindi films. My friends keep offering me small parts but if you are a small actor in Bollywood and you are offered a smaller part, you feel even smaller. How do you strike a balance between Bollywood and Marathi cinema? I never dwelled in one particular genre. For me, variety is the essence.

There is a constant hunger for doing something new.Is there contentment among Marathi actors and filmmakers? No. There's a great discontent. We want to improve the budgets and attract a larger audience. Marathi filmmakers face tough competition from Hindi films. This is why we try to make films that are content-based. How has your journey been, both in Marathi and Hindi films? It's been wonderful. I am essentially a Marathi theatre actor. I have always changed mediums and languages in search of an audience - which is the only selfish motive I know as an actor.