What kind of reactions have you been getting for your performance in ‘A Thursday’ and the film in general?
It is actually the amount of reaction that I am getting and it is unprecedented. From the last 4-5 days, I am actually overwhelmed. Having spent so many years in the film industry, one always thinks that one has got used to it but it is never like that. I am really happy.
What attracted you to this film?
It is the story that attracted me. It is always the story I look for. We all go to cinema halls to listen to stories. That is what exactly happened with ‘A Thursday’. It is a fantastic story and when I heard it, I also knew that it is a very difficult film to make. There are a lot of restrictions for the director. It starts directly from the main story and it is restricted by just 2-3 locations. It doesn’t divert anywhere else. It holds the people for a couple of hours. I liked the story and I also loved the character but at the same time I also thought it was a challenge to make this film so I got on board.
And of course, one of the reasons is also Behzad. When I met him and he narrated the story, I knew that it was going to be a great experience. I didn’t know about the success or failure of the film, but experience, yes.
You had two strong female characters with you in the film. How difficult was it to keep up with them and outshine with your performance?
We were not in some dangal. We were doing collaborative work and the only thing that dictated us was the script and the storyteller. I wasn’t competing with them and neither were they.
What has been your takeaway from the movie?
As a film person, my takeaway from the film was how difficult the film was to make. The second takeaway was the way Behzad had gathered his team which is extremely important in any film. Right from the spot boys to the costume to the camera department to the actors, to gather such a lovely coherent team which was in sync with each other was amazing.
OTT has been a gamechanger for many in the industry. How do you look at this change as an actor?
Having spent so many years in the industry, one has seen many changes. Camera is a technical medium so naturally when the technology changes, the changes come across in this field. One has seen the change in the storytelling in films. I have seen the change when digital technology came in. Now of course it is a different technology altogether which is a longer, yet definite format because you have 8-10 episodes. You are literally writing 2-3 film’s material. As technology changes, actors have to change as they have been responding to it. Maybe 2-3 years down the line, we would be talking about something completely different.
With cinema halls also open now, how do you think filmmakers would be able to balance it with OTT also in the picture?
These are phases. When cables and video cassettes came in, I remember having the same discussions. This has been going on. Films have been there and they will continue to be there. In the last two years, the entire world faced something unprecedented in all professions. Of course, that is going to have some impact. Like revenge tourism, there is going to be revenge filmism. You just check the collections when big films strike the theatres. It is going to be unbelievable.
You have been a part of the film industry for a long time now and you have explored a myriad of characters in your films. How difficult is it to play versatile characters and not repeat your performance?
I think it depends on what script or story you choose. If you are choosing a good story, then there will be relatable characters, characters which are layered and thick. One doesn’t really just look at characters and decide if you want to do this film or not. First it is the story, then the storyteller, co-stars – it is a package.
While growing up, what were the kinds of films that influenced you or shaped your mind?
There were popular films I watched but not many because my parents were not movie buffs as such. We were not regular at theatres. So we watched only selected popular films. Of course, when I went to college and I had the liberty of choosing my film, then it was a different story.
You come from a non-film background, you started your acting career late and have been active in more than 7-8 languages. How do you look back at your career so far?
I feel my journey has been satisfactory. I am extremely happy because with my kind of background and as you rightly put, I came late… But I feel I came at the right time. When I did ‘Chandni Bar’, nobody expected a film like that would be a hit. It was as difficult as ‘A Thursday’. Both are intense films. I think I have been fortunate to be a part of such path-breaking films.
Is there any one film that is closest to your heart?
No, that would be injustice to all my other films. I think I have chosen films very carefully in my career. They may not have been equally well-received but they have their part in my life.
Two National Awards and many other accolades in your 22-year-old career, what do these recognitions mean to you?
Awards to actors are what accessories are to a car. The accessories don’t run the car, the engine does. But of course, the accessories give you confidence. If you have a rear-view mirror, it will help you navigate. So they have that much importance.
What does 2022 have in store for Atul Kulkarni?
The year has already started with a bang. ‘A Thursday’ has been released and has been receiving such love and appreciation. And on March 4th of course, ‘Rudra: The Edge of Darkness’ is coming. I am looking forward to that. It is the biggest show so far on Indian OTT.
Can you spill some beans on ‘Rudra: The Edge of Darkness’? What can the audience expect?
‘Rudra: the Edge of Darkness’ is an extravaganza. It is a big show. It is not something that you expect on OTT, grandeur wise, story wise, actor-wise. It is the first time an A-lister (Ajay Devgn) is coming on this platform. The entire experience is an anecdote because Rudra, as I said, is huge. We shot at more than 70 locations for six episodes. There is every reason to watch Rudra.
