The Hindu : Kerala News : Montage of powerful characters

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Saturday, Nov 24, 2007
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Montage of powerful characters

‘Gauri is a film for national integration. In a way, it is an ensemble production.’

Actor Atul Kulkarni

Actor Atul Kulkarni has established his position in Indian cinema with his portrayal of powerful characters. In a conversation with G. Krishnakumar, he outlines his career.

His pin-up magnetism and dazzling range continue to remain unmatched. Be it Sriram Abhyankar in Hey Ram or Potya Samant in Chandni Bar, actor Atul Kulkarni mesmerises the audience with an innate style that refuses to fade out from the viewer’s memory.

Popular for his subtle acting skills and controlled performances, the young talent has created a montage of unforgettable characters like the ambitious politician in Satta to a common man in 88 Antop Hill.

In Kochi to promote his latest Hindi movie Gauri, Atul said that he speaks Malayalam in his forthcoming Malayalam movie D-17. “The shooting will start in April.”

Atul might find the regional language difficult to understand, but working in Gauri provided him with the basics of Malayalam — thanks to its director Akbar of Mazhathullikilukkam fame.

“Akbar spoke in Malayalam. And I spoke in Hindi. It was an interesting scenario for the first two days. But soon I could understand every word uttered by my director. I do not know what magic had worked between us. Gauri is a very different attempt. It goes beyond the supernatural format and touches your heart in a special way,” he said.

Atul calls Gauri a movie for national integration. “The director and producer (R. Mohan) are Keralites. I am from Maharashtra. The award-winning actor Rituparna Sengupta is from Bengal. Rushita (the child actor) is from Gujarat. In a way, Gauri is an ensemble production,” he said.

Atul has always sounded his support for taking good cinema to all parts of the country. “That’s why I am against making Goa as the permanent venue for International Film Festival of India. That would amount to depriving film-goers of places like Assam and Uttar Pradesh from watching quality movies.”

Pointing out that he had always given importance to good stories, Atul said that a film does not work if the story is not up to the markThe actor should not be stuck with a particular style of acting. “Potya Samant (his role in Chandni Bar) was more aggressive than Sudeep (Gauri). I could not portray the two characters in a similar style,” he said.

After an enthralling performance as Lakshmi Pandey in Rakeysh Ompraskash Mehra’s Rang De Basanti, Atul will soon be seen in the director’s next movie Dilli 6. “My forthcoming projects include N. Chandra’s Breaking News, Faruque Kabir’s Allah ke Bandhe, and Valu in Marathi. His Malayalam movie Thalapavu directed by actor-turned-director Madhupal is getting ready for release.

“I have come to Kerala on several occasions. About 90 per cent of Gauri was shot here. And I would like to come back again to this beautiful place,” he said before signing off from the Ernakulam Press Club on Thursday.

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