Starting her acting career in the 1970s, actress Neena Kulkarni dons several hats. She has several films to her credit in both the Hindi and Marathi industries. Also, she has extensively worked in television, both in Hindi and Marathi. Recently, the veteran actress was seen sharing the screen with Paresh Rawal in 'Shastry Virudh Shastry' also starring Shiv Panditt and Mimi Chakraborty. The film is very close to Kulkarni and she called it an emotional journey while shooting for the film. She is happy that after so many years she has got to play such a great character in a Hindi film. Neena plays the role of a grandmother in Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee's film which is a remake of the popular Bengali film 'Posto'.
Sharing her experience of working with Paresh Rawal again, she said, ''It was great fun. There is a lot of comfort in working with him. I think being from the same school of acting really helps. We both are from a theatre background. So, that helps and adds to the thing. One of our best couple roles was in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. There is an emotional bond and I feel comfortable with him. When you feel comfortable with your co-actor half of your job is done.''
Every character Neena Kulkarni has played seems so real. All thanks to her theatre background and she too agrees that. She said, ''I come from a very strong theatre background and the realism comes from there. Also, it's the director, and co-actors that help you. You can't do this alone. I also try to be natural on screen. It has to look natural. If you are looking contrived people guess it. It's your job to look real. The audience will appreciate your work when you are real on screen. Otherwise, they won't believe you. I go through emotions and being outdoors sometimes helps because there are no other distractions there. You are just shooting.''
Neena has been in the industry for more than forty years now. When asked if there is a dearth of roles or if she still has to struggle, the 68-year-old actress shared, ''I can't really say I have a dearth of roles because I work in all mediums. If there is no film happening then there is television. If there is no television, then short films are happening. So, we also have to spread ourselves. We can't be choosy anymore but yes, I am very happy with what I am getting in the Marathi industry be it television or films.''
She added, ''I have the advantage of two languages simultaneously. But in Hindi, I would like to do more films. I don't get many offers from Hindi films now. Earlier, I did a lot of Hindi films but now the frequency has gone a little low and I feel bad about it. Whenever a Hindi film comes to me I am very interested.''
''I did a film called Signature with Anupam Kher. My role was not that big but I am happy that I was offered that role,'' she said.
The National Award-winning actress also said that television offers her a lot of variety and it's very demanding. But she is very choosy with television shows.
We have seen Neena playing the role of a mother or wife across platforms. When asked if she doesn't get bored. To which the actress said, ''This is a wonderful time for Hindi films when all kinds of emotional films are been made. So, I am really looking forward to having a good run. In films, I have lots of mom and wives' roles but in television mostly I have played vamps. An actor needs to spread him or herself across all mediums because there is so much offered every day.''
''For me, Hindi films are about good filmmakers. There are so many good directors. For example, I have chosen Hungama because of Priyadarshan. The role big or small doesn't really matter to me as long as it makes a mark,'' she concluded.
