Mrinal Kulkarni

1. 3 decades in the entertainment industry and going strong! What is the success behind these long innings?

long innings …hmm I really felt at one point , I have been acting for a long time.. after all I started very young!!! In the last 25 years I have done more than 20 shows as a main character in Hindi on National Channels and four grand hits for Marathi TV ; a couple of good Marathi films .  I have been deliberately away from the glam sham as i was always interested in meaningful content.I have tried my hand in all the genres as an actor ( social, historical, fantasy, mythological, thriller ) I have been very lucky as I always got the chance to pick and choose my roles as I saw fit, and I used it. At a right time, I got into Direction; and successfully wrote and directed two successful movies “PREM MHANJE PREM ASTA” and “RAMA-MADHAV” I also tried producing a few TV shows. When you don’t have choices, your passion becomes your JOB, and you start losing interest in it. I think it is important to sit back and relax in between – it rejuvenates you. It keeps you fresh and interested in whatever you are doing. The right to say NO to the things you dont believe in is also very important. Also if you are a family person , it is very important for a woman to be happy in her personal life. I think it reflects in whatever you do. It also needs a little planning and luck along with a lot of patience, I must stress. I think talent, hard work and luck – these are the three major factors!

2. You are a well read person and come from an illustrious family. Will you write a book one day? (Autobiography?)

Autobiography ? Seriously ? Well I haven’t thought about it so far , but I have been writing as and when I can. I’m privileged to be associated with a few well known newspapers and magazines in the capacity of Guest editor. I think I have written a few articles about the important characters I portrayed and a few events from my life, also about a few people a have worked with …  I write stories of the films I direct. Beyond that .. let’s see . If one day I genuinely feel I have a lot to share with my audience, I may. I deeply enjoy my reading time and I genuinely love to read Autobiographies.

3. If you were not an Actor & Director what would you have been? If not an actor or a director ?

I would be running my own business I guess! Something related to art and culture though. I can claim that after successfully handling two film units of 100 each members.

4. Why are there so few women Directors in films?

I genuinely believe there is immense power in women, and they are conquering the world ! May be making films doesn’t interest them ? May be its too lengthy a process for them? Actually , there  are so many women working behind the camera..they write films, they edit, they choreograph and do various other film related jobs ! I am sure the number of female directors shall improve incoming days..We need to have more female directors across the globe too!

5. What legacy would you like to leave behind?

Legacy is too big a word !! But I come from a writers family ,a very cultured one. Also I got married into a highly educated family, to an honest and grounded man who  loves me ,respects me and has been extremely supportive. I want our son to show all those signs. My husband, Adv Ruchir Kulkarni, and I have worked hard for that and we can see the same  genes and family values in our son Virajas.

6. What advise would you give to working women (in any field) to be achievers?

I would simply request all the ladies who are trying their best to be the SUPERWOMEN ,please go a little slow. I personally think ,ladies mindset is way different than men. They always want all of it . A great career , a wonderful family and a certificate of being a Superwoman who does it all !! Health is the last thing on their mind. I have now taken a great amount of initiative in Ladies health awareness. I am seeing many ladies suffering from health issues at a very early stage. They always take health for granted . i would like to take this opportunity and appeal to them to be extremely particular about fitness and timely check-ups.

7. Which films (in any language) have impacted you?

It’s very  tough to choose books and films ,as it’s not a just thing to do ..simply because there are moods and phases and also the list is too big ! Let’s try though…. Smarangatha, Padhavali, Paripoorti, Vanvas, Padas, The Little women, Aana Carenina, The Mother… The Kid, Modern Times, The bridges of Maddison County, Psycho, Munnabhai MBBS, Pareeneeta, Kahani, Ardhasatya, Umbartha, Roman Holiday, Sound of Music, Majid Majidi films, Inglorious Bastards ,The Hurt Locker….HAHAHA I am a film buff !! Lets have a few more interviews for this