Chandrakant Kulkarni in discussion with Smita Kangai at Zero Mile Literature Festival on Saturday.The session, which drew a large and attentive audience, offered a rare insight into the persistence and discipline behind one of Marathi theatre and cinema’s most impactful creative figures. Chandrakant Kulkarni, in his interview with Smita Kangai, asserted that struggle is unavoidable, and only those who prepare their own resources can break through it. He stated that opportunities appear suddenly and remain briefly, making prior preparation essential; without it, chances slip away. His remarks underscored a philosophy built on consistency, self-reliance and readiness, attributes he considers central to artistic progress.

 

He recounted his early years in Pathri (Hamadapur) in Parbhani district, followed by moves to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (then Aurangabad) and later Mumbai, decisions he credited to his mother and friend Prashant Dalvi. “These relocations fundamentally altered the course of my life and pushed me beyond collegiate drama competitions into professional theatre,” said Kulkarni. His migration, he noted, exposed him to wider artistic disciplines and placed him in environments where risk-taking became inevitable.

 

The veteran Director emphasised the need to attempt both small and large projects, revisiting them repeatedly to understand shifting contexts and evolving narratives. “I re-directed Charchaughi, and Wada Chirebandi recently. I believe a director should give back to the drama as he grows in experience,” he opined. He also recalled establishing the theatre group ‘Jigisha’ during his college days, noting its continued expansion. Speaking about the celebrated play Wada Chirebandi, he attributed its enduring success to its originality, the musicality of dialects, and their inherent lyrical quality, which, he said, render the work timeless.