Chandrakant Kulkarni

Last updated

Chandrakant Kulkarni
Born1963 (1963) (age 61) [1]
Hamdapur, Maharashtra, India
OccupationFilm director
Spouse
(divorced)

Chandrakant Kulkarni (born 1963) is an Indian director, script writer and actor associated with Marathi theatre and film. He is known for his works of directing the plays Wada Chirebandi, Dhyanimani, Gandhi Virudh Gandhi and most recently the remake of Hamidabaichi Kothi. He has also directed the acclaimed films Bindhaast (1999) and Tukaram (2012).

Contents

At the 61st National Film Awards, his film Aajcha Divas Majha won the award for Best Feature Film in Marathi. [2]

Career

Theatre

Chandrakant Kulkarni came to Mumbai from Aurangabad, Maharashtra, aspiring to work in the entertainment industry. After working on various plays Kulkarni directed the eight-hour-long trilogy play Wada Chirebandi written by Mahesh Elkunchwar in 1994. The play was written in three parts as Wada Chirebandi, Magna Talyakathi and Yuganta. Kulkarni directed the play under the production banner of "Awishkar" which was founded by director Arvind Deshpande and his actress wife Sulabha Deshpande. [3] [4] [5] The first part of the play was earlier directed by Vijaya Mehta in 1985. Kulkarni directed the whole trilogy after Elkunchwar completed it in 1994. In 2006, director Chetan Datar edited and staged it in a single play. [6] Kulkarni says that he has been attached to the play for 26+ years and directing it was one of his dreams. [7]

In 1995, Kulkarni directed the Marathi play Dhyanimani written by Prashant Dalvi. The play was later also adapted in Hindi after fifteen years as Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai...! with lead roles played by Shefali Shah and Kiran Karmarkar and Vipul Shah as the presenter. Kulkarni has also directed this Hindi version. [8] [9]

In 1995–96 he directed the play Gandhi Virudh Gandhi which was written by Ajit Dalvi. The play was originally based on another Gujarati play of same theme by Dinkar Joshi. The play brought forth the conflicts between Mahatma Gandhi and his eldest son Harilal Gandhi and staged veteran actress Bhakti Barve and actor Atul Kulkarni as Mahatma. [10] Seeing the success of the play, Kulkarni also directed the Hindi version of it. Barve's role was played by actress Seema Biswas in the Hindi version. The play was later adapted into an English version Mahatma verses Gandhi directed by Feroz Abbas Khan. Later on, Khan adapted the line for his 2007 Hindi film Gandhi, My Father . [5]

Kulkarni presented monologues in the 2009 play Maunaraag which were based on essays written by Elkunchwar. [11] In 2011, he directed the play Adhi Basu Mag Bolu that discussed the trend of marriages breaking due to miscommunication. Written by Vidyasagar Adhyapak and starring Sanjay Narvekar in lead role, the play was produced by Lata Narvekar's Chintamani Productions. [12] Same year he also directed the remake of the play Hamidabaichi Kothi under the banner Herbarium run by actor Sunil Barve. The play was directed by Vijaya Mehta thirty-three years ago. [13] [14]

Kulkarni has also directed various popular plays like Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe , [15] Varyavarchi Varaat [16] and Batatyachi Chal [17] for their CD/DVD versions. He has about 65 plays to his credit.

Films

Kulkarni stepped into films as an actor. His earlier roles include the one for the 1995 Marathi film Bangarwadi , directed by Amol Palekar based on the 1954 novel of the same name written by Vyankatesh Madgulkar. His first directorial venture was the much acclaimed 1999 film Bindhaast . Known for the all-women cast, the film was a thriller suspense and bagged numerous Maharashtra State Film Awards. [18] Kulkarni was presented with the Second Best Director Award and the film won the Third Best Film Award. [19] With Bindhaast, Kulkarni broke the Marathi film industry's slapstick-comedy trend of the 1980s and 90s. [20] The film was adapted by Priyadarshan in 2000 as Snegithiye in Tamil language. [21]

Kulkarni's next film Bhet released in 2002. The film was a yearning story of a mother (played by Prateeksha Lonkar) wanting to meet her son (played by Apoorva Korgave) who lives with her ex-husband (played by Atul Kulkarni) after the couple's divorce. [22] The film brought various awards for Prateeksha Lonkar [23] [24] and Atul Kulkarni. [25]

In 2005, Kulkarni directed the comedy Kaydyacha Bola , a satire on the judicial system with lead role played by Makarand Anaspure. His 2007 film Kadachit was a drama that marked the come back of actress Ashwini Bhave who also produced the film. With the 2008 film Meerabai Not Out , Kulkarni stepped into Bollywood. The film was based on the love of Cricket in India with lead title role played by Mandira Bedi. The film proved to be average. [26] [27] [28]

In 2012, Kulkarni's next venture was a biographical film Tukaram on the life of Varkari saint Tukaram. Kulkarni had been preparing for over three years on the film. [29] The film received good reviews from critics as well as audience with Skati Salgaonkar from DNA calling it "one of the best Marathi films of 2012". [30] Kulkarni was adjudged as the Best Director at the 19th Annual Colors Screen Awards and the film won the Best Film award. [31]

Personal life

Kulkarni was born in Hamdapur in 1963. [1] He was married to the film actress Sonali Kulkarni for a brief time but later got divorced. [32]

Selected filmography

Director

YearTitleMediumNotes
1994Wada ChirebandiPlay
1996Gandhi Virudh GandhiPlayMarathi and Hindi versions
Chahul [33] Play
YelkotPlay
Doctor Tumhi Sudha... [34] Play
SatiPlay
1995Dhyanimani [35] Play
Char Chaughi [36] Play
1999 Bindhaast Film
PimpalpaanTV series
2002 Bhet Film
2005 Kaydyacha Bola Film
2007 Kadachit Film
2008 Meerabai Not Out FilmHindi language
2009MaunraagPlay
2009Carry On Pandu [37] FilmHindi language
2010Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai...!PlayHindi version of his play Dhyanimani
2011Hamidabaichi KothiPlay
2011Adhi Basu Mag BoluPlay
2012 Tukaram [29] Film
2013 Aajcha Divas Majha Film
2014 Dusari Goshta FilmFictional biopic of Sushilkumar Shinde [38]
2016 Family Katta Film
2022Haravlelya Pattyancha Banglaa [39] Play
2022Charchaughi [40] Play
2022Sanjya Chhaya [41] Play
2024लंपनTV SerialBased On Marathi Book "वनवास" By प्रकाश नारायण संत.

Other roles

YearTitleCredited asMedium
1995 Bangarwadi ActorFilm
2002 Bhet Co-producerFilm
2005 Kaydyacha Bola Story and screenplay writerFilm
2012PipaniActor
Role: Narrator, Dnyaneshwar Tembhre
Film
2019Mogra PhulaalaaActorFilm

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vijay Tendulkar</span> Indian playwright

Vijay Dhondopant Tendulkar was an Indian playwright, movie and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator primarily in Marathi. His Marathi plays established him as a writer of plays with contemporary, unconventional themes. He is best known for his plays Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe (1967), Ghashiram Kotwal (1972), and Sakharam Binder (1972). Many of Tendulkar's plays derived inspiration from real-life incidents or social upheavals, which provide clear light on harsh realities. He has provided guidance to students studying "play writing" in US universities. Tendulkar was a dramatist and theatre personality in Maharashtra for over five decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vijaya Mehta</span> Indian actress

Vijaya Mehta, is a noted Indian Marathi film and theatre director and also an actor in many films from the Parallel Cinema. She is a founder member of Mumbai-based theatre group, Rangayan with playwright Vijay Tendulkar, and actors Arvind Deshpande and Shriram Lagoo. She is most known for her acclaimed role in film Party (1984) and for her directorial ventures, Rao Saheb (1986) and Pestonjee (1988). As the founder member of theatre group, Rangayan, she became a leading figure in the experimental Marathi theatre of the 1960s.

Mahesh Elkunchwar is an Indian playwright and screenplay writer in Marathi language with more than 20 plays to his name, in addition to his theoretical writings, critical works, and his active work in India's Parallel Cinema as actor and screenwriter. Today along with Vijay Tendulkar, he is credited as one of the most influential and progressive playwrights not just in Marathi theatre, but also in Indian theatre. In 2014, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest honour in performing arts in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atul Kulkarni</span> Indian actor

Atul Kulkarni is an Indian actor, producer and screenwriter who works in Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, English, Odia and Telugu language films. Kulkarni won the National Award for the Best Supporting Actor for the films Hey Ram and Chandni Bar. He is also the president of Quest, a research-action organization concentrating on enhancing quality of education. He left his study in engineering at College of Engineering, Pune while he was in his first year. He is known for his performances in films like Hey Ram, Chandni Bar, Rang De Basanti (2006), Natarang (2010) among others. He has also written the screenplay of Laal Singh Chadda, the official remake of Forrest Gump.

Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe is a Marathi play written by Indian playwright Vijay Tendulkar in 1963 and first performed in 1967, directed by Arvind Deshpande, with Sulbha Deshpande as the main lead. Film received National Film Award for Best Marathi Feature Film At 19th National Film Awards. Sulabha Deshpande Won Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vandana Gupte</span> Indian actress

Vandana Gupte is an Indian actress known for her work in Marathi stage productions along with television and film productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satish Alekar</span> Indian Marathi playwright, actor and theatre director

Satish Vasant Alekar is a Marathi playwright, actor, and theatre director. A founder member of the Theatre Academy of Pune, and most known for his plays Mahanirvan (1974), Mahapoor (1975), Atirekee (1990), Pidhijat (2003), Mickey ani Memsahib (1973), and Begum Barve (1979), all of which he also directed for the Academy. ‘’ Ek Divas Mathakade एकदिवस मठाकडे ‘’ (2012) and ‘’ ठकीशी संवाद Thakishi Samvad’’ (2024) these two recent plays were directed by Nipun Dharmadhikari and Anupam Barve respectively. Along with Mahesh Elkunchwar and Vijay Tendulkar he is considered among the most influential and progressive playwrights in modern Marathi and Indian theatre.

<i>Natarang</i> 2010 marathi film directed by ravi jadhav

Natarang, also spelled Natrang, is a 2010 Indian Marathi-language drama film directed by debutant Ravi Jadhav and starring Atul Kulkarni and Sonalee Kulkarni. Composer duo Ajay–Atul composed the original score and songs of the film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neena Kulkarni</span> Indian actress

Neena Kulkarni is an Indian actress who is known for her work on Marathi and Hindi films, television and stage productions. She has received several awards including a National Film Award, Maharashtra State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards Marathi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shanta Gokhale</span> Indian writer, translator, journalist and theatre critic

Shanta Gokhale is an Indian writer, translator, journalist and theatre critic. She is best known for her works Rita Welinkar and Tya Varshi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paresh Mokashi</span> Indian film director (born 1969)

Paresh Mokashi is an Indian filmmaker, producer, actor and Theatre director-producer; working predominantly in Marathi cinema and Marathi theatre. He started working as a backstage worker for theatre and did few minor roles for plays as well as films. Mokashi made his directorial debut for theatre with the Marathi play, Sangeet Debuchya Mulee in 1999. He continued to work for theatre and made his directorial debut for cinema with the 2009 Marathi feature film, Harishchandrachi Factory. The film depicts the making of India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), made by Dadasaheb Phalke. The film was acclaimed critically and won several awards. It was also selected as India's official entry to 82nd Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jitendra Joshi</span> Indian actor

Jitendra Joshi is an Indian actor and reality show host who predominantly works in Marathi cinema. He is well known for his lead role as Sant Tukaram Maharaj in the 2012 marathi movie Tukaram. He starred as constable Katekar in the hit Netflix television series Sacred Games.

<i>Tukaram</i> (film) 2012 Indian film

Tukaram is a 2012 Marathi biopic on the life of Saint Tukaram, who was a 17th-century Varkari saint, spiritual poet and devotee of Vitthala. The film was directed by Chandrakant Kulkarni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amruta Subhash</span> Indian actress

Amruta Subhash is an Indian actress who works in Marathi and Hindi films, television, and theatre. She is a graduate of the National School of Drama, New Delhi. She has received several awards, including a National Film Award, two Filmfare Awards, and a Filmfare OTT Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulabha Deshpande</span> Indian actress and theatre director

Sulabha Deshpande was an Indian actress and theatre director. Apart from Marathi theatre and Hindi theatre in Mumbai, she acted in over 73 mainstream Bollywood films. She also performed in art house cinema such as Bhumika (1977), Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978), and Gaman (1978) as a character actor, along with numerous TV series and plays. A leading figure in the experimental theatre movement of the 1960s, she was associated with Rangayan, and personalities like Vijay Tendulkar, Vijaya Mehta, and Satyadev Dubey. In 1971, she co-founded the theatre group Awishkar with her husband Arvind Deshpande, and also started its children's wing, Chandrashala, which continues to perform professional children's theatre. In later years, she acted in serials such as Jee Ley Zara, Ek Packet Umeed, Asmita and in films such as English Vinglish (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanjay Surkar</span> Marathi film director (1959–2012)

Sanjay Surkar was a Marathi film director. He won three National Film Awards for the films Rao Saheb (1996), Tu Tithe Mee (1998) and Gharabaher (1999) in Best Feature Film in Marathi category. Along with films, Surkar had also worked in television and theatre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Umesh Kamat</span> Indian actor

Umesh Kamat is an Indian actor and model, who predominantly works in Marathi-language regional films, television series, plays and TV commercials. Kamat has been recipient of Maharashtra State Film Awards for film Samar - Ek Sangharsh.

Samidha Guru is a Marathi theatre, film and television actress from Nagpur, India. She has received Maharashtra State's Best Actress Award for the movie Kapuskondyachi Goshta. She also received MMW Gaurav Awards for Best Actress for the play Get Well Soon.

<i>Vastupurush</i> Indian film

Vastupurush: The Guardian Spirit of the House is a 2002 Indian Marathi film directed by filmmaker duo Sumitra Bhave–Sunil Sukthankar and produced by National Film Development Corporation of India. It is about Bhaskar, who rises above his poor financial conditions and devotes himself to the poor people for his mother believes that their generations have been cursed by the Vastupurush for doing wrong to people of lower castes. The film won several awards on release including the Best Feature Film in Marathi at the 50th National Film Awards and eight awards at the 40th Maharashtra State Film Awards in 2003.

References

  1. 1 2 Gokhale, Shanta (2000). Playwright at the Centre: Marathi Drama from 1843 to the Present. Seagull Books. p. 430. ISBN   9788170461579.
  2. "61st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. 16 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  3. Gehi, Reema. "Shantata! Awishkar Chalu Aahe". Mumbai Theatre Guide. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  4. "Surviving change". Mumbai Mirror. 21 January 2009. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  5. 1 2 Dharwadker, Aparna Bhargava (2005). Theatres of Independence: Drama, Theory, and Urban Performance in India Since 1947. University of Iowa Press. p. 81. ISBN   9780877459613 . Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  6. Jiwani, Subuhi (27 May 2006). "Putting a spin on a classic". DNA . Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  7. Director Chandrakant Kulkarni • Interview • Wada Chirebandi Marathi Natak • रंगभूमी.com (in Marathi), retrieved 28 November 2021
  8. "Vipul-Shefali Shah's comeback play Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai...!". Mumbai Theatre Guide. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  9. Sharma, Aditi (14 August 2010). "Peek into the lives of Mr & Mrs Singh". Mumbai: Mid-Day . Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  10. N, Anjum (27 June 2003). "I would love to do a Mogambo". Rediff.com . Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  11. Ancheri, Saumya (4 February 2011). "Dead men walking – Find echoes of Mahesh Elkunchwar's past in Necropolis". Time Out Mumbai. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  12. Hattangadi, Sandeep (28 June 2011). "'Adhi Basu Mag Bolu'- A play about marriages". Afternoon DC. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  13. "Hamidabaichi Kothi". Mumbai Theatre Guide. 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  14. "Classic Hamidabaichi Kothi stages a comeback". Afternoon DC. 22 February 2011. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  15. "Shantata Court Chalu Aahe". Rhythm House. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  16. "Varyavarchi Varaat". Rhythm House. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  17. "Batatyachi Chal". Rhythm House. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  18. "Bindhaast sweeps state Marathi film awards". Indian Express. 2 May 2000. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  19. "37th Maharastra state film awards announced : "Gaabhara" bags best film award". 22 May 2000. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  20. Banerjee, Piali (25 September 2000). "Mercury rising…". Rediff.com . Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  21. Warrier, Shobha (31 March 2000). "Ladies Only". Chennai. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  22. "Hedging his bhets". Mid-Day. 18 June 2002. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  23. Ambarish Mishra (3 March 2003). "Marathi stars rock and roll on Mata night". The Times of India . Mumbai. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  24. Aarti Kulkarni (8 March 2003). "अंधुक रेषा जपताना... : प्रतीक्षा लोणकर" (in Marathi). Maharashtra Times. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  25. Kulkarni, Atul. "Awards" . Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  26. Chopra, Sonia. "Review: Mandira sparkles in Meerabai Not Out". Sify . Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  27. N, Patcy (5 December 2008). "Meerabai Not Out entertains in parts". Rediff.com . Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  28. Malani, Gaurav (5 December 2008). "Meerabai Not Out: Movie Review". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  29. 1 2 Phadke, Aparna (6 June 2012). "Tukaram is not a devotional film: Chandrakant Kulkarni". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  30. Salgaokar, Shakti (8 June 2012). "Review: Tukaram one of the best Marathi films of 2012". Mumbai: DNA . Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  31. 1 2 3 "The Best wins". Mumbai: Screen India. 18 January 2013. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  32. "Sonali Kulkarni marries second time". The Times of India . 25 May 2010. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  33. Kulkarni, Sonali. "THEATRE". Archived from the original on 27 June 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  34. "Drama details". Mumbai Theatre Guide. Archived from the original on 26 May 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  35. Phadke, Aparna (20 August 2011). "Doing TV is like working in a factory: Shefali Shah". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  36. Chavan, Shaan (20 April 1998). "Still Waters". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  37. "Carry On Pandu". Screen India. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  38. Bhanage, Mihir (2 May 2014). "Review: Dusari Goshta". Times of India . Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  39. Haravlelya Pattyancha Banglaa Natak Review - VeryFirstTale, May 2023
  40. Charchaughi Marathi Natak Review VeryFirstTale, February 2023
  41. Sanjya Chhaya Marathi Natak Review - VeryFirstTale, February 2023