After winning 2 national awards, Atul Kulkarni, highly acclaimed for his role in CHANDNI BAR, SATTA, KHAKEE and as the exemplary crime reporter in PAGE 3, has yet again brought his unique style of acting to RANG DE BASANTI, where he plays Laxman Pandey, the fundamentalist in the group of the six youngsters, and the only one to believe that politics can make the world a better place. So here's the versatile actor, Atul Kulkarni point blank...
You've played a cop in DUM, a shrewd politician in SATTA, a gangster in CHANDNI BAR and a common man in RANG DE BASANTI, to name a few, so do you think any other character is really left for you to experiment with?
There are innumerable varities in every profession and basically it's not about professions. I feel there are plenty of possibilities and opportunities still left for me to explore. It's an ongoing process and I still have to discover lots.
Do things like length of a role/character matter to you?
The story is the most crucial aspect of a film. The length of a character matters to a certain extent. Having said that, I strongly feel, however lengthy the character might be, if the story is not strong and well told, the length has no value then, it just fizzles out. So a robust story-line matter's the most to me.
Do you believe in listening to your heart, coz I guess you wanted to take up arts but your parents were keen that you opt for science instead?
It's very easy for people in Mumbai to say that they want to follow their hearts and do things accordingly. But the fact is everything right from your family, social pressures to issues like generation gap matter a lot. It took me quite some time to figure out what I wanted in life and I finally quit engineering. Now when I look back I feel I'd taken a wise decision to join the film industry. You know, had I not done well in this industry, my relatives would have ridiculed this decision of mine and stuff like that.
How was it like working with Mr. Perfectionist, Aamir Khan in RANG DE BASANTI?
Oh! It was excellent working with him. I have always admired him and this was a great learning experience for me. I am fortunate to have got this opportunity of working with him and I've found a great friend in him. I have high regards for him as a person and as an actor as well.
Which is your favourite scene in RANG DE BASANTI and would you be a part of the shootout sequence (in the film) in reality?
I loved all the scenes in the film. It's impossible for me to single out any one particular scene. All the scenes are equally close to my heart. As far as your next question is concerned, the movie speaks for itself. After the politician is shot in the film, it continues for another 45 minutes which generally doesn't happen in a Bollywood movie. Once a villain is shot, the movie comes to an immediate end.
Personally what does freedom mean to you?
We live in a society and are bound by its rules and regulations. There are societal norms which one has to cater to. Sometimes you're left with no choice and you have to live within the boundaries and confinements. It's actually a very relative term I'd say.
You've done films like SATTA, CHANDNI BAR and PAGE 3 which are very women centric in nature. Would you do another women oriented film? Also, your films mostly have a hard-hitting and realistic subject line?
I don't care if it's a women oriented film. It depends a lot on the character I guess. I have no qualms whatsoever. About the subject, I guess the trend is changing gradually. Audiences have started accepting such story lines and they definitely create a greater impact on people I feel. It will continue to work in the future.
How did you feel when you got your first national award?
I had no clue whatsoever as to when national awards are declared and stuff. I actually realized its importance after 2-3 days when people started calling me up. That was the time I fathomed its significance and felt it sure was a big thing.
What do awards mean to you? How important a role do they play in your life?
I have always believed that awards are like accessories to a car. They are very similar to the rear view mirror in a car which gives you that confidence to drive. They sure mean a lot however it's not like they are the be all and end all of life.
You have worked with Madhur Bhandarkar in 3 films. So is it like you basically prefer working with him? Also you're not there in his forthcoming film CORPORATE?
Do you really think so? I have done 20 films and amongst that only 3 have been directed by him. As far as CORPORATE is concerned, I wasn't there in AAN also, matter-of-factly. Only if a particular role suits me he would approach me right. Infact I take it otherwise, I feel it's a sign of a good director.
Are you still doing theatre? What do you think is the major difference between acting (in Bollywood films) and theatre?
There isn't much difference I feel. The only difference that distinguishes the two is the technique, technology I mean. Cinematic technique is different from the technique used in theatre.
Can you tell me something about your forthcoming films?
I am doing a Telgu film and there is this Marathi film directed by Chitra Palekar called MAATI MAAY.
An Interview with Atul Kulkarni
