"Can my life exist without arts?" wonders Sachin Pilgaonkar; as the actor has been performing since the age of five and has spent more time on the sets than with his family. "I don't think I can even breathe without arts. I can't even imagine what that life would be. For I've met my lights, trolleys, cranes, studios and sets more than my relatives. These are my uncle and aunts."

Sachin, 61, has spent 56 years in performing arts. Beginning as a child actor, clocking more than 60 appearances in films, he later also turned director, writer, editor. "Nobody in my family was from the industry, I was destined to be a part of it. I feel I must've done some good in my past life that God blessed me to be in this industry." In an interview with PTI, the actor decodes his journey - citing his ability to adapt and constantly striving to be versatile as the key to remain relevant as an artiste for more than half a century. "Entertaining people is not an easy job, though it appears like one. One has to go through a lot of difficulty and pain but nothing comes easy and no lunch is free. That's my learning."