Actor Sandesh Kulkarni who is currently seen in Mumbai Diaries 26/11 on Amazon Prime as ACP Tawde is garnering accolades from audiences and critics for his impactful role in the show. Sandesh has done notable work in Marathi films which includes include Gulmohar, Coffee Ani Barach Kahi and many more and best known for his work in Rocky Handsome, Sacred Games, Hundred and British Drama – The Good Karma Hospital.
1. What do you feel more important for an actor talent or training?
Talent is a must. But mere talent will not help. The actor must upgrade his craft or he will become jaded.
2. Tell us something about your theatre journey in short.
It starts from doing plays at Ganesh festivals in our society as a kid. My brother used to write and direct. The whole environment was magical and full of energy. Then my brother showed me two plays in my hometown Pune- One was ‘Tughlaq ‘by Girish Karnad and directed by Satydev Dubey and second was ‘Mahanirvan’ by SAtish Alekar. Both plays had a deep impact on my taste in theatre. Then after doing one act play competitions in college I started my own group ‘Samanvay’. This was formed by youngsters who had participated in Pt.Satyadev Dubey’s workshop. In Samanvay we did a lot of plays which were performed in various festivals across India. Sonali Kulkarni, my sister and Amruta Subhash, my wife were all part of Samanvay. Here we interacted with stalwarts like Vijay Tendukar, Makesh Elkunchwar and I directed their plays. Their friendship helped me see life beyond theatre too. I also went to Royal Court Theatre, London for International Writers Residency on Charles Wallace Scholarship. I have written and directed a play ‘Phirse Honeymoon’ which I performed with my wife Amruta at Prithvi. We were to perform again but then Covid made an entry! Hoping for the theatres to open now.
3. How was it working for Mumbai Diaries 26/11?
It was a wonderful thing to perform in an ensemble cast where everyone is talented. I had a nice graph for my character ACP Tawde and thanks to the writers had some wonderful lines. I shout ‘Ye mera Sheher hai’ and fire bullets at the terrorists. This was like a dream scene, as I always fancied as a child to play the police and fire at the villains. Nikkhil Advani is in charge of the sets and has a passion that is worth experiencing. We all put everything we had and are happy that the series is being well received. Also, I have formed lifetime friendships here. Shreya Dhanvantari and I had a lot of fun on the sets.
4. You are working with your sister Sonali Kulkarni in the show, how does it feels to share screen with your sibling?
It feels great. We have worked together right from my first play which was an adaptation of Vijay Tendulkar’s Newspaper columns titled ‘Kovali Unhe’ ( Morning Sunrays) . There is a funny story here- As I was also the director of the play, I was keen that everyone said their lines properly and had developed an amusing habit – I used to say the lines of the actor in front of me in whispers. So as Sonali performed she could see my lips moving and mumbling those lines softly. It was very confusing for her and she tried to correct me without success as I was oblivious of the fact. It happened automatically! In the series I have to play a protective role as she is the wife of my Boss Mr. Kelkar. I have played that role in real life too right at the start of her career with Girish Karnad’s film ‘Cheluvi. But now when I played in Mumbai Diaries she has already carved a successful career on her own and I felt proud to be her brother sitting in her vanity van and talking about the good old days.
5. Digital medium has changed quite a lot of things in the world of visual medium. What do you think about it?
I feel blessed to be in the OTT boom. It has opened up doors for all creative persons. Earlier the actor who did not get films had to depend on the TV for his survival. The TV does not explore new content. So the actor did not get to show his real ability nor did the writers. The digital medium is bringing a variety of content. It had made the content democratic. Now anyone can tell his or her story and there is a platform to listen to it. Even if you do not get a OTT you can showcase yourself on youtube. With the increase in platforms many artists are getting noticed. I would say it is like the IPL for cricket. We get to know many new players because of the IPL who would never have been otherwise noticed.
6. You have played many roles till date. How do you prepare yourself for your character and which kind of genre is your favorite?
As an actor I submit to the director and his vision. Once I understand that, I align myself with the demand of the script and the scene.Once you submit to your character and allow it to play through you, it does things you had not imagined you would do. In that sense acting is like losing your own ego and giving space for the other character. In theatre it is easier because we have a lot of rehearsals to perform the scene with different attitudes and see which feels best. In films it is slightly difficult if you do not have enough table readings. Here you rely on the director’s feedback as he has the entire script in his mind. I love doing all genres. I have done realistic drama’s and I am very good at humour too. I would also like to do villains as they have many grey shades and are fun to play.
7. You have worked in Marathi, Hindi Industry, what are your views on South industry, do you wish to work there if then with whom?
I was born in Karnataka. My parents come from Karnataka and we have many of my relatives in Belgaum and Dharvad . So it does not come as a surprise when many mistake me for being a south Indian though I was raised in Pune. I experienced film making in the south with my sister Sonali. I accompanied Sonali for her film ‘Cheluvi’ directed by Girish Karnad. The DOP was Rajiv Menon who did Mani Ratnam’s ‘Bombay’ and ‘Guru’. I was with her for the Tamil film ‘May Madham’ where the DOP was P.C Shreeram! I and P.C sir used to play antakshari of extempore poems! These are legends and it was an exciting experience to witness them work. The south industry is very disciplined and I was amazed at the simplicity of many stars. There are so many films coming from the south that get remade in Hindi. The south films break all the rules. You can have ‘Bahubali’ and you can also have ‘Great Indian Kitchen.’ It’s a big range and they excel in all types of making from commercial to art cinema. Thanks to the OTT I am able to see all the different films at home. Currently I loved Dineesh Pothan’s ‘Joji’ and Martin Prakakat’s ‘Nayattu’ . Not only them there are many interesting filmmakers in the south and I am eager to work with any of them. I am reaching out to them and hope they will read this interview and know about my interest.
8. Your wife is also an actress, how does it feels to work with your spouse? Do you both review on each others performance.
Amruta and I have grown up together since she was 17. We can discuss anything under the sun and this applies to each other’s work too. She has worked under my direction and I have assisted her when she did her first short film ‘Ajji’. Luckily we do not have a hierarchy problem. So the plot of the film ‘Abhiman’ will not develop between us. We have lot of discussions on the books we read, the films we watch and so on. We both have written books too and are each other’s first readers. It is a blessing to have her as my partner. By the way she fell in love with me when I had written a one act play ‘Partners’ and she had directed it. So ‘Partners’ gave me a life partner.
9. What’s next on professional front?
I have done my friend Raj Kaushal’s series ‘Akkad Bakkad’ which will come on Amazon Prime. Here I play a journalist. I Have also completed a feature film ‘Privacy’ written and directed by Sudeep Kanwal, produced by Shlok Sharma. In Privacy I play the Chief Surveillance Officer.
