‘Mumbai Diaries 26/11’ actor Sandesh Kulkarni on working with show’s ensemble cast
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. Helmed by director Nikkhil Advani and Nikhil Gonsalves, the show also stars Konkona Sensharma, Mohit Raina and others.
Kulkarni 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.
He is very humbled and satisfied with the response towards his role in the show and shares,”I am extremely happy that the series and ACP Tawde is being noticed. I have a feeling of gratitude and completion. We all were waiting for the series to be aired for a long time and the wait was worth it.”
The actor heaps praises for his directors saying, “Nikkhil Advani is one powerhouse of energy. From the table readng to each take on the sets he is literally pushing things around. He jumps on to the sets to adjust a chair or a prop before his assistants can catch up. He is super focussed and has a eye for detail. He encourages you to explore the scene and says that he will make it interesting by his edit and music. In that sense he allows you to relax about the performance and be in the scene. Once he understands you have caught the pulse of the character he allows you to just be and compliments you after a good take. Nikhil Gonsalves is the one who selected me for the role without an audition and I am forever indebted to him and Kavish Sinha who sent me to meet him. I met Gonzi as his friends call him in the Emmay office and we chatted for some time. He knows Marathi and has worked with many Marathi actors. He made me feel at home and made me part of this exceptional team.”
Sharing about his rapport with co-actors he says, “It was a Kadak team of all the ensemble cast. I and Shreya Dhanwanthary really clicked off and we had a lot of fun on sets. I had most of the scenes with Dr. Subramanium- Prakash Belavadi. I had seen his performances earlier and was in love with him. It was a delight to work with him as the give and take becomes pleasurable with a good actor. Also to chat with him was a high in itself. We had a lot in common with the background of theatre and we intensely discussed plays and politics and so on. Konkana and others are also team players and mostly everyone on the sets was well read. Therefore the chats on the sets were always engaging and informing. Mohit told us about his Kashmiri origins and his time over there. Overall we were like minded actors fueled with passion as many of us had got such a break for the first time.”
On talking about the OTT boom he says, “Without OTT, I would not have been noticed. Not only me, many of the talented actors are getting work. It’s a boon for actors. It’s like the IPL of cricket. Now we are getting more and more players. Similarly we will have more actors, more writers and creators. Also the content that is created requires different kinds of faces. We are in the best of times as a creative artist.”