‘A story should have some complexity,’ says Geetanjali Kulkarni on Unpaused: Naya Safar

Geetanjali Kulkarni is the kind of rare self-effacing actor whom you tend to take for granted. She is so much an integral part of the storytelling and so in character that the actor is invisible on-screen. A veteran of Marathi and Hindi cinema, Geetanjali is currently being seen as a Covid frontline worker on Amazon Prime’s arresting anthology Unpaused: Naya Safar. Excerpts: Unpaused is a prime example of how cinema can reflect reality constructively. But do you as a rule approve of making films on topical subjects? More than topical, the important part for me is that the story has to be layered. It should have some complexity and shouldn’t be black and white. That way it becomes interesting for the viewers as well as the actors. So that’s more important for me. Even if it is topical, it has to have that kind of research that makes it real, authentic, and complex. In the War Room segment of Unpaused: Naya Safar, you play a school teacher moonlighting as a Covid frontline worker. How close did you feel to the character? I have seen a lot of teachers and government servants doing duties other than their regular work. We always feel that the government officials don’t do their duties, they are more professional but many times, these teachers go out of their way and make efforts for children, especially in villages. So I have a lot of faith in the government system because the system is made by people like Sangeeta Waghmare. I can completely relate to such teachers because I have seen such examples in my life where they go out of their ways and volunteer. What has it been like for you during these past two years? What are your lessons learned from the lockdown experience? The past two years have taught the greatest lesson; that we shouldn’t take anything for granted, and we have to love, respect, and help each other; all these morals and values were reiterated. I feel now we have to understand the younger generation and understand and empathize with them, this is something I realised during the Covid times. I have been watching you on screen for years now. Tell us about your beginning as an actor. Were you always an actor? I have always been an actor, since age 3. I trained at the National School of Drama and after that, I did Marathi theatre. I did experimental plays and professional plays in Marathi. Then I started experimental plays in Hindi as well. Since Court (2014) happened, I have been doing more screen work. So, yes. I have always been an actor and nothing else. I have felt that cinema apart from a film like Court has not been able to find a place for you. Do you feel the OTT platform is a blessing for a neglected actor like you? I think long-format has been helpful. I think cinema has its limitations. But I think Karkhanisanchi Waari is a Marathi film where I enjoyed a meaty role. That was the only film after Court where I got a meaty role. But as far as long formats are concerned, it has worked for me because I got to work in Taj Mahal 1989, Gullak and Aarya and so many different kinds of roles. I think OTT is a blessing for not just me but all actors like me who are middle-aged and experienced.

Subhash K Jha is a Patna-based film critic who has been writing about Bollywood for long enough to know the industry inside out. He tweets at @SubhashK_Jha.