Atul Kulkarni: OTT Format Gives You An Opportunity To Grow As An Actor And As A Person

Atul Kulkarni as Ameya Rao Gaikwad is back in the popular political drama, 'City Of Dreams' Season 3. The Nagesh Kukunoor directorial also stars Priya Bapat, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Eijaz Khan among others in pivotal roles. It released on Disney+Hotstar on May 26. The show has been getting positive response from all across the nation. Ahead of the release of the web show, Garima Das of Outlook had a conversation with Atul where he spoke about what the audience can expect from season 3, his process in getting into the skin of the character, the advantages of OTT and a lot more. 

In the trailer and also in the dialogues promo, and now in the show, we have seen Ameya Rao Gaikwad returning with a bang. While talking about season 3, Kulkarni said, "Second Season of 'City Of Dreams' ended at a very high dramatic point where the characters were at their lowest. It was a very interesting writing where it ended and many people would be looking forward to how these characters bring themselves back because they are ambitious characters. That is what exactly you would see in the third season and if you thought that was the highest drama in a show, then in Season 3 there will be higher drama."

Earlier in an interview, Sachin Pilgaonkar said that the script of the third season is much better than the previous seasons. When asked if Atul also feels the same, he said, "Basically Nagesh (Kukunoor) and Rohit (C. Banawlikar) are the kind of writers who understand the importance of writing, and unless and until it is very good on paper they don't go on the platform. To the best of our knowledge, I think we have done...I mean the writers have put in their best efforts. It always depends on the audience and this is where we get the true reaction and true understanding as to whether we have done a good job or not."

The actors have been associated with the show for five years now and sometimes it becomes difficult for an actor to get out of it and sometimes it also takes a toll on them both physically and mentally. Atul said that he is not the kind of actor who let the character affect him as a person. "I am not that kind of an actor. It is a job that I am supposed to do and I am supposed to make believe the people that I am that character. So, after all, it's a make-believe. None of the characters really affect me," he added. 

To get into the skin of his character Ameya Rao Gaikwad, the 'Rang De Basanti' followed the script of 'City of Dreams'. He also revealed that he has followed politics very closely right from his childhood not only of the country but also of other countries as well. He further said, "But as per as the preparation is concerned...see politician is not a character. Politics is just a profession of that character. Understanding the character is what is needed. There is not a particular single way of performing a politician or any other profession for that matter. My job is to understand the character mainly and the script was the main resource for me and of course, there's Nagesh Kukunoor my director who made me understand what exactly the character is."

While talking about OTT, the 57-year-old actor said, "The format is such where you get a lot of length to play your character. Not only episode-wise but season-wise as well. You do multiple seasons like we have done the third season of 'City Of Dreams' and we are really lucky because in our country there are not many shows fortunate enough to go off to third season. So, this format definitely as an actor allows you a lot of length and it is done over a period of many years."

"'City of Dreams', we have been doing for the last five years. That also gives you an opportunity to grow as an actor and as a person because you have lived that much life and you have gone through that much experience in your profession. Both these things, I think help this format," he concluded.