Chandrakant Kulkarni
{{short description|Indian film director, script writer and actor (born 1963)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chandrakant Kulkarni
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|1963}}{{cite book | title=Playwright at the Centre: Marathi Drama from 1843 to the Present | publisher=Seagull Books | author=Gokhale, Shanta | year=2000 | isbn=9788170461579 |page=430| author-link=Shanta Gokhale }}
| birth_place = Hamdapur, Maharashtra, India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality =
| occupation = Film director
| spouse = {{Marriage|Sonali Kulkarni|end=divorced}}
| children =
| website =
| years_active=
| othername =
}}
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).
At the 61st National Film Awards, his film Aajcha Divas Majha won the award for Best Feature Film in Marathi.{{cite web|title=61st National Film Awards|url=http://www.dff.nic.in/List%20of%20Awards.pdf|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|date=16 April 2014|accessdate=16 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181218/http://www.dff.nic.in/List%20of%20Awards.pdf|archive-date=16 April 2014|url-status=dead}}
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/features/08/aug/28_feature_shantata.asp | title=Shantata! Awishkar Chalu Aahe | publisher=Mumbai Theatre Guide | accessdate=23 January 2013 | author=Gehi, Reema}}{{cite web | url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/printarticle.aspx?page=comments&action=translate§id=57&contentid=2009012120090121020618625ea6ec26e&subsite= | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216123919/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/printarticle.aspx?page=comments&action=translate§id=57&contentid=2009012120090121020618625ea6ec26e&subsite= | url-status=dead | archive-date=16 February 2013 | title=Surviving change | publisher=Mumbai Mirror | date=21 January 2009 | accessdate=23 January 2013 }} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/salon_putting-a-spin-on-a-classic_1031584 | title=Putting a spin on a classic | publisher=DNA | date=27 May 2006 | accessdate=25 January 2013 | author=Jiwani, Subuhi}} Kulkarni says that he has been attached to the play for 26+ years and directing it was one of his dreams.{{Citation|title=Director Chandrakant Kulkarni • Interview • Wada Chirebandi Marathi Natak • रंगभूमी.com|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxU_dtRjsQo|language=mr|access-date=2021-11-28}}
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/Articles/10/jul/31-shefali-vipul-shah-comeback-play-bas-itna-sa-khwab-hai.asp | title=Vipul-Shefali Shah's comeback play Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai...! | publisher=Mumbai Theatre Guide | date=31 July 2010 | accessdate=25 January 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2010/aug/140810-Play-Shifalli-Shah-Bus-Itna-Sa-Khwab-Hai.htm |publisher=Mid-Day |location=Mumbai | title=Peek into the lives of Mr & Mrs Singh | date=14 August 2010 | accessdate=25 January 2013 | author=Sharma, Aditi}}
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.{{cite web | url=http://ia.rediff.com/movies/2003/jun/27atul.htm | title=I would love to do a Mogambo | work=Rediff.com | date=27 June 2003 | accessdate=25 January 2013 | author=N, Anjum}} 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.{{cite book | title=Theatres of Independence: Drama, Theory, and Urban Performance in India Since 1947 | publisher=University of Iowa Press | author=Dharwadker, Aparna Bhargava | year=2005 | isbn=9780877459613 |page=81 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mLQaz-12Eo8C&q=Chandrakant+Kulkarni&pg=PA409 |accessdate=23 January 2012}}
Kulkarni presented monologues in the 2009 play Maunaraag which were based on essays written by Elkunchwar.{{cite web | url=http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/theatre/features/dead-men-walking | title=Dead men walking – Find echoes of Mahesh Elkunchwar's past in Necropolis | publisher=Time Out Mumbai | date=4 February 2011 | accessdate=25 January 2013 | author=Ancheri, Saumya | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130222210854/http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/theatre/features/dead-men-walking | archivedate=22 February 2013 | df=dmy-all }} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.afternoondc.in/film-review/adhi-basu-mag-bolu-a-play-about-marriages/article_28468 | title='Adhi Basu Mag Bolu'- A play about marriages | publisher=Afternoon DC | date=28 June 2011 | accessdate=25 January 2013 | author=Hattangadi, Sandeep | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813194127/http://www.afternoondc.in/film-review/adhi-basu-mag-bolu-a-play-about-marriages/article_28468 | archive-date=13 August 2014 | url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/marathi/09-marathi-play-preview-hamidabaichi-kothi.asp | title=Hamidabaichi Kothi | publisher=Mumbai Theatre Guide | year=2011 | accessdate=28 January 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://www.afternoondc.in/film-review/classic-hamidabaichi-kothi-stages-a-comeback/article_18933 | title=Classic Hamidabaichi Kothi stages a comeback | publisher=Afternoon DC | date=22 February 2011 | accessdate=28 January 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813184828/http://www.afternoondc.in/film-review/classic-hamidabaichi-kothi-stages-a-comeback/article_18933 | archive-date=13 August 2014 | url-status=dead }}
Kulkarni has also directed various popular plays like Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe,{{cite web | url=http://www.rhythmhouse.in/Detail.aspx?productListing=47113 | title=Shantata Court Chalu Aahe | publisher=Rhythm House | accessdate=25 January 2013 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813184802/http://www.rhythmhouse.in/Detail.aspx?productListing=47113 | archivedate=13 August 2014 | df=dmy-all }} Varyavarchi Varaat{{cite web | url=http://www.rhythmhouse.in/Detail.aspx?productListing=53342 | title=Varyavarchi Varaat | publisher=Rhythm House | accessdate=25 January 2013 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813194535/http://www.rhythmhouse.in/Detail.aspx?productListing=53342 | archivedate=13 August 2014 | df=dmy-all }} and Batatyachi Chal{{cite web | url=http://www.rhythmhouse.in/Detail.aspx?productListing=106400 | title=Batatyachi Chal | publisher=Rhythm House | accessdate=25 January 2013 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813194530/http://www.rhythmhouse.in/Detail.aspx?productListing=106400 | archivedate=13 August 2014 | df=dmy-all }} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/151521/ | title=Bindhaast sweeps state Marathi film awards | publisher=Indian Express | date=2 May 2000 | accessdate=25 January 2013}} Kulkarni was presented with the Second Best Director Award and the film won the Third Best Film Award.{{cite web | url=http://rrtd.nic.in/Film%20Bulletin-may.html | title=37th Maharastra state film awards announced : "Gaabhara" bags best film award | date=22 May 2000 | accessdate=25 January 2013}} With Bindhaast, Kulkarni broke the Marathi film industry's slapstick-comedy trend of the 1980s and 90s.{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/sep/25marat.htm | title=Mercury rising… | work=Rediff.com | date=25 September 2000 | accessdate=25 January 2013 | author=Banerjee, Piali}} The film was adapted by Priyadarshan in 2000 as Snegithiye in Tamil language.{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/mar/31women.htm | title=Ladies Only | date=31 March 2000 | accessdate=25 January 2013 | author=Warrier, Shobha |location=Chennai}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2002/jun/25793.htm |title=Hedging his bhets |date= 18 June 2002 |publisher=Mid-Day |accessdate=25 January 2013}} The film brought various awards for Prateeksha Lonkar{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Marathi-stars-rock-and-roll-on-Mata-night/articleshow/39199902.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103090924/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-03/mumbai/27266569_1_marathi-awards-function-bharat-jadhav |url-status=live |archive-date=3 January 2013 |title=Marathi stars rock and roll on Mata night|author=Ambarish Mishra |date=3 March 2003 |location=Mumbai |work=The Times of India |access-date=25 January 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshowarchive.cms?msid=39689864 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126052807/http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshowarchive.cms?msid=39689864 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 January 2013 |title=अंधुक रेषा जपताना... : प्रतीक्षा लोणकर |author=Aarti Kulkarni |publisher=Maharashtra Times |language=Marathi |date=8 March 2003 |accessdate=25 January 2013 }} and Atul Kulkarni.{{cite web | url=http://www.atulkulkarni.com/awards.html | title=Awards | accessdate=25 January 2013 | author=Kulkarni, Atul}}
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.sify.com/movies/review-mandira-sparkles-in-meerabai-not-out-review-bollywood-14812388.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813213114/http://www.sify.com/movies/review-mandira-sparkles-in-meerabai-not-out-review-bollywood-14812388.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=13 August 2014 | title=Review: Mandira sparkles in Meerabai Not Out | website=Sify | accessdate=28 January 2013 | author=Chopra, Sonia}}{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/meerabai-not-out-entertains/20081205.htm | title=Meerabai Not Out entertains in parts | work=Rediff.com | date=5 December 2008 | accessdate=28 January 2013 | author=N, Patcy}}{{cite web | url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-12-05/news/28664053_1_mahesh-manjrekar-cricket-mandira-bedi | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814103931/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-12-05/news/28664053_1_mahesh-manjrekar-cricket-mandira-bedi | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 August 2014 | title=Meerabai Not Out: Movie Review | publisher=The Economic Times | date=5 December 2008 | accessdate=28 January 2013 | author=Malani, Gaurav}}
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. 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".{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_review-tukaram-one-of-the-best-marathi-films-of-2012_1699824 | title=Review: Tukaram one of the best Marathi films of 2012 | publisher=DNA | date=8 June 2012 | accessdate=28 January 2013 | author=Salgaokar, Shakti |location=Mumbai}} Kulkarni was adjudged as the Best Director at the 19th Annual Colors Screen Awards and the film won the Best Film award.{{cite web|url=http://m.screenindia.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=1060729 |title=The Best wins |publisher=Screen India |date=18 January 2013 |accessdate=28 January 2013 |location=Mumbai |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813190642/http://m.screenindia.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=1060729 |archivedate=13 August 2014 }}
Personal life
Kulkarni was born in Hamdapur in 1963. He was married to the film actress Sonali Kulkarni for a brief time but later got divorced.{{cite web | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-25/news-interviews/28300308_1_sonali-kulkarni-love-marriage-wedding | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106042248/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-25/news-interviews/28300308_1_sonali-kulkarni-love-marriage-wedding | url-status=dead | archive-date=6 January 2014 | title=Sonali Kulkarni marries second time | date=25 May 2010 | work=The Times of India | accessdate=23 January 2013}}
Selected filmography
=Director=
=Other roles=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Credited as | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Bangarwadi | Actor | Film |
| 2002 | Bhet | Co-producer | Film |
| 2005 | Kaydyacha Bola | Story and screenplay writer | Film |
| 2012 | Pipani | Actor {{small|Role: Narrator, Dnyaneshwar Tembhre}} | Film |
| 2019
|Mogra Phulaalaa |Actor |Film |
Awards
- 2012 – Tukaram : Best Film at the 19th Annual Colors Screen Awards
- 2012 – Tukaram : Best Director at the 19th Annual Colors Screen Awards
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0474610}}
{{Marathi Theatre}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kulkarni, Chandrakant}}
Category:Marathi film directors
Category:Hindi-language film directors
Category:Film producers from Mumbai
Category:Indian male screenwriters
Category:Indian theatre directors
Category:People from Aurangabad district, Maharashtra
Category:20th-century Indian people