Exclusive: Sonalee Kulkarni On Her Upcoming Show ‘Bestseller,’ Working With Mithun Chakraborty And The Blurring Lines Between Regional And Hindi Cinema
Who doesn’t love thrillers? I mean, we’re all up for unexpected plot twists and unpredictable endings. And bringing the chills to our screens is Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming show, Bestseller. Starring actors Mithun Chakraborty, Shruti Haasan, Arjan Bajwa, Sonalee Kulkarni, Gauahar Khan and Satyajeet Dubey in pivotal roles, the psychological thriller has us all excited. But as we all wait for February, 18, for the show to grace our screens, I have with me actress Sonalee Kulkarni who takes me through the journey of Bestseller (ofc, keeping the suspense intact), as she talks about her OTT debut, the blurring lines between regional and mainstream cinema and yes, some interesting conversation about her infamous song “Apsara Aali” (my absolute fav. too).
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Q. Firstly, I am a big fan of your song “Apsara Aali.” How did the song, change the game for you, owing to the kind of love it welcomed its way?
Sonalee Kulkarni: I was in college when I did this song and I think I was in the third year of my graduation when Natarang was released and it changed everything for me as an artist and person. It all changed after Natarang and the song. And I think every artist wants that one particular song to happen, that becomes their identity. And for me, trying to establish an identity with the senior Sonali Kulkarni, already existing and doing a fabulous job was the biggest challenge, when I started out. And I think somewhere down the line, this film and the song gave me my own identity. Since then, I think the confusion kind of fizzled out and people took notice of me. I am a big Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit fan, and being a dancer, they are our idols. So, whenever I used to watch their dance numbers on the screen, I always dreamt of having my own one fine day. Interestingly, when the first preview of Natarang was done for the media. The first feedback that I received was, “we felt like there’s somebody like Madhuri Dixit dancing on the screen.” So for me, it was the biggest compliment ever. And it was like a big dream come true when the song appeared and got loved by so many people.
Q. Talking about Bestseller, what can you tell us about your role, the show and the one thing that connected with you and led you to say ‘Yes’ to the show?
Sonalee Kulkarni: When I take up a project or a film, the first thing that matters to me is the script. And I try and read it from a very neutral, audience perspective. So when I read the script, I was really hooked onto it and I couldn’t really wait to finish it because it was so edgy. And whenever we watch or read a thriller, we like to create our own predictions and versions of what’s going to happen. Sometimes, we kind of match up predictions, but this particular script is so beyond your expectations or predictions. It just surprises you with every hook point and you really can’t predict what’s the suspense going to be like? So when I reached the climax and the mystery unfolded, I was like, ‘Woah, okay. I did not think like this.’ And I felt a sense of gratification after reading all the episodes. I think the show’s making has gone beyond the script, which is what we, as makers, as artists, always try to do. It goes beyond the black and white and I personally was very impressed by the trailer. And I took it up because, yes the content was so exciting and edgy, and I’ve never been a part of a psychological or a crime based thriller. I’ve never played a cop before this. So many firsts for me, and yes, this is my OTT debut as well. It just made a lot of sense to me and I’m looking forward to how people accept me in a very different role altogether. It’s not glamorous. She’s not the typical cop that we see, she’s not doing the Dabangg-giri. She is very ordinary, but honest, and is a sincere cop. She heads the cybercrime department and she’s assisting on this case with Mithun sir’s character, who is a CID ACP and is on the verge of retiring. So this is probably his last case.
Q: How was it working with Mithun Chakraborty? What was your takeaway from the entire experience of collaborating with him?
Sonalee Kulkarni: It was a delight. I mean, I can actually speak for hours about the experience because he’s so amazing as an actor, as a co-star, as a human being, as just a professional. I think there is so much to learn from him. What inspires me the most is his enthusiasm about his work even today. Having done more than 300 films in different languages and winning so many awards, and being the superstar that he is. At this age and point in his life, he’s still wanting to do something so sincerely that he remembers his lines before time. He’s always ready and is trying to find something new in front of the camera. Also, his attention to detail is really impeccable.
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He is also a spontaneous actor and so am I. And sometimes in spontaneity, you might do something different in two different takes. So there might be a slight difference of some reaction or pause. Some people may not notice, but Mithun da after every single shot comes and tells you, “I think you did this differently from the previous take.” And he would also say if he likes it more or not. He’s such an appreciating, encouraging co-star and that’s what we, in this generation also need. Most of the actors are so self-centred. I mean, actors are meant to be a selfish species, and we’re so interested in what we are doing, how we are looking, how things are turning out for us, but it’s really very new and nice to see someone else appreciating, what you did in that take. It just boosts your confidence, especially when a legendary actor like him does that, it really helps you perform. I think that is something that I would like to take away from this experience, that appreciate others, especially your co-stars.
Q. Bringing the story on an OTT platform can be liberating in many aspects. What according to you is the most appealing and unseen characteristic of OTT platforms?
Sonalee Kulkarni: I think the perspective with which the audience watches a show encourages makers, actors, technicians, and there is a huge scope for experimentation. Especially with films over the last few years, it’s now, when cinema is growing and going beyond the boundaries of set formats. But with theatrical release, we still need to wait for people to react and see the numbers and then understand if a particular kind of cinema is working or not. And when it comes to shows, there is instant feedback, because everything is so digital with OTT. It is also timeless because some shows can be watched at some other point in some other country and appreciated. But with theatres, you still have to be revolving around the release date and how the box office will react.
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So, whatever little you do in a particular show and whatever character you play, whether it’s big or small, it still gets appreciated. You can just go beyond your comfort zones and try different roles, genres, in terms of storytelling, and they’re all accepted because I think the audience is so evolved right now, which also helps content to evolve. So, I think it works in a very nice synergy out there with the audience, the viewers and the makers and the platforms. Hence the platforms could also take bigger risks.
Q: What is the one kind of role you’re craving to do?
Sonalee Kulkarni: As I said actors are selfish, greedy and never satisfied. How much ever you do, there’s always a spectrum that you can explore. I come from Marathi cinema, which has also evolved so amazingly in the last few years. We’ve always been making great content, but the revenues have grown, the audience, the viewership, everything has grown in the recent years. So I think over the last few years, Marathi cinema’s content has been very satisfying as an actor. But now that I’m venturing into OTT, I would like to explore some really dark, grey and uncomfortable characters to portray on screen. I’ve been playing a lot of idealistic and nice, good characters, but I would love to play some bad guys, bad girls and something in the grey area.
ALSO READ: ‘Bestseller’ Trailer: Amazon Thriller Is Bound In A Bestselling Cast Of Shruti Haasan, Mithun Da, Arjan Bajwa And Gauahar Khan
Q. As you spoke about women characters in the grey shades, which is something that stories today are celebrating. Tell me your favourite female onscreen character that you recently watched and loved.
Sonalee Kulkarni: I think Samantha in The Family Man was amazing. And because we were talking about flaws and imperfections, I feel these are times now, when we are actually not hiding our scars or flaws under layers of makeup on shows and films. It’s more about being yourself. It’s more about accepting what you are. And I think people are loving that fact as well. Also, it’s time that we should all appreciate what we have, whether they’re just flaws or scars or anything. I think being able to present it on screen is the most beautiful thing that you can do as an artist.
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Q. You’ve never shied away from taking up challenging roles, even when people around you suggested to not make such choices at the peak of your career. If given a chance, what would be that one piece of advice you’d like to give your younger self, who started off her journey in the world of films?
Sonalee Kulkarni: It’s very interesting because I never really thought of going back and speaking to myself when I started out. A piece of advice that I would like to give is–”see there are going to be people who you will come across and who will advise you. Even if you don’t want it, hear it out, listen to everyone, but do what you feel is right for yourself, because no one else will feel the way you do for yourself. So it’s your battle, your journey. Take in everything, but do what you want to do at the end of the day.”
Q. You also mentioned that a producer was surprised that you could speak English because you come from Marathi cinema. That is something that actors from various regions of the country also face. Going forward, do you see that change in mindset?
Sonalee Kulkarni: Yes, it is changing. We’ve seen that the boundaries between South, Marathi and Bollywood cinema have receded. For that instance, Marathi cinema had a bigger challenge because Bollywood or Hindi cinema exists in Maharashtra, where Marathi cinema is trying to grow on its own. So, we had a direct competition. But over the few years, and especially since the pandemic, more and more regional content is now becoming available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video for that matter. They’re really promoting regional content so aggressively. That is also because the audiences are watching them and they’re loving it. And we now don’t need dubbed versions of such content because you see, we’re also watching Korean cinema in Korean language or any other language with its originality. I think that flavour is sometimes the most important, which now audiences are also appreciating because they’re getting to watch the original content. I think everything is now coming together. It’s become Indian cinema or Indian shows or Indian content, and they’re not limited to becoming just Marathi, Bengali or Southern. Coming back to your question. Yes. I think there was this particular stereotypical concept about Marathi actors, when back in the day, they couldn’t really speak fluent Hindi or English, without that typical Marathi accent, popping in-between. But times have changed and I come from a background, which is multicultural. My mother’s Punjabi, I studied in an army school. In fact, I never studied Marathi during my schooling. So I had to really, really pick up and work on the language when I started out in Marathi films.
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So when this particular comment was made, I took it as a compliment because coming from a typical non-Marathi background, I really worked hard to pick up the language. And when a filmmaker who didn’t know me and only saw the actor on screen and thought that she’s a typical vernacular medium actress who probably wouldn’t be able to speak Hindi or any other language fluently, then that becomes a compliment for me to portray that character. And I think, I succeeded in that way. But now people look at us as actors, not as ‘regional actors’ anymore.
Q. What’s on your watchlist currently?
Sonalee Kulkarni:The timing is so weird that on the 18th of February when our show Bestseller comes out, Amazon Prime Video is also releasing The Marvelous Mrs Maisel season four. And I can’t wait to watch it. So, I think I’m going to divide my day on the 18th of February. Watch the Bestseller and then the Maisel show, so yeah, there are some really good shows that I’ve been waiting to watch.
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Q. What is the one thing you want the viewers to take away from Bestseller?
Sonalee Kulkarni: Sense of gratification. I think every thriller at the end of the day should be able to gratify the audience. So, when you invest and spend eight hours watching a psychological or a crime based thriller, you want at the end of the day to feel– ‘Oh my God! Yes, this is what we were kind of expecting and yet not expecting.’ So sometimes when the show goes beyond your expectation or prediction, it makes the audience happier. Bestseller is the kind of show which will definitely, keep you on the edge, but also gratifies you at the end of the day.
Bestseller releases on February 18, 2022, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
