Return of the common man

Sandeep Kulkarni is ready to re-jig memories of ‘Dombivli Fast’ with his new project, ‘Dombivli Returns’

Scene from the movie

In 2005, Nishikant Kamath directed Dombivli Fast , narrating the tale of a common man and his angst against corruption and social prejudices. A film that won much acclaim was later remade by Nishikant Kamath in Tamil as Evano Oruvan starring R. Madhavan. Now, the lead actor of Dombivli Fast , Sandeep Kulkarni, is re-visiting the idea of a common man and his travails through his co-production titled Dombivli Returns . This isn’t a sequel and has no reference to Dombivli Fast , barring the name of the locality used in the title, says the actor.

“Mahendra Teredesai has written and directed this film and when I read the story, of a photographer who works in the publicity department of Mantralaya and resides in Dombivli, I felt this title is apt. The locality is a metaphor for middle class. The journeys by trains and buses all signify this social segment,” says Kulkarni.

Kulkarni has been acting in television, Hindi and Marathi films for nearly 15 years and is backed by prior experience in theatre. His decision to be a co-producer and line producer of this movie, he says, was borne out of his interest in the story. “It’s a socio psychological thriller and there are many layers to the story. It begins as a regular story and the journey taken by the character in the later portions is a roller coaster one. I wanted to be an integral part of the journey and decided to co-produce it,” he says.

The cast includes Rajeshwari Sachdev, theatre actor Amol Parashar whom Kulkarni says “is my brother and the alter ego of my character” and National School of Drama alumnus Hrishikesh Joshi, who has acted in

Kaminey , Harishchandrachi Factory and Deool among other critically acclaimed films.

Kulkarni is working towards a pan Indian release for Dombivli Returns later this year and is hopeful that he will find the backing of a well known distribution house. “Films like Vicky Donor and Citylights have found acceptance and the teams have earned their recognition today. I believe that good work will not go unnoticed,” he affirms. Kulkarni should know, for, he has been associated with films like Shwaas (India's official entry for the Oscars in 2004) and his filmography includes Shyam Benegal’s Mammo,Is Raat ki Subah Nahin and Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi by Sudhir Mishra and Hazar Chaurasi ki Maa by Govind Nihalani. If he seems to have chosen to work in films that are not essentially run on the mill, he says, “I've done mainstream cinema in Marathi, a stylised Gaiir for example. I am not averse to any kind of cinema. I only see that the story holds my attention. But yes, maybe directors like Sudhir Mishra and Shyam Bengal chose me because I am a good actor.” The faint hint of pride is evident.

On choosing to have a debut director for his first co-production, he says, “Nishikant was new when he directed

Dombivli Fast and Sandeep Sawant was new when he did

Shwaas . First-time directors have that rare energy to say something that has been within them for years.”