Atul Kulkarni: 'Naseeruddin Shah said Bandish Bandits Season 2 is better than the first' | Exclusive

Prime Video's Bandish Bandits made a stunning return on December 13, 2024, with its much-anticipated second season. Atul Kulkarni, who plays the enigmatic Digvijay Rathod, shared insights in an exclusive interview with OTTplay about reprising his role after four years, the craft of lip-syncing, the absence of Naseeruddin Shah, and the emotional depth of the show. 

On reprising the role after four years

Kulkarni reflected on the challenges and joys of returning to a beloved character after a significant gap. "You grow during those years as a person, and that is why you meet, I don't think just a friend, but a friend who has grown with you, and you are trying to explore something new," he explained. "But it's a beautiful medium in that sense for that because you don't get to do that in cinema. So it's a really beautiful thing about this format, for sure." 

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He also drew inspiration from the long-running series, stating, "When I see Game of Thrones, eight seasons and all that, and those actors doing eight seasons. It's a wonderful opportunity as an actor." 

On lip-syncing as a craft

The show's musical elements demand exceptional dedication to authenticity, even when the actors aren't actually singing. Kulkarni delved into the nuances of this performance aspect: "Apart from art, it's a craft, I think, and that craft needs to be mastered. It is not just art, and that is why you have to practice (riyaaz) to bring mastery into it. So, even though you are not singing, people should feel like you are singing. So I think that craft is extremely important in that because we are not singing, the one who is actually singing probably doesn't require that kind of craft. It is probably pure art for them, but for actors, it is, I think, a mixture of art and craft." 

Admitting the challenge, he added, "But the one answer to your question is that it is difficult!" 

On Naseeruddin Shah's absence in Season 2

Season 2 sees the absence of Naseeruddin Shah’s iconic Panditji, but Kulkarni revealed that Shah's influence still looms large. The seasoned actor shared, "By the way, Naseer Bhai saw the entire second season, and he liked it so much that he invited all of us for dinner. He, in fact, said that the second season is better than the first. So that's, I mean, the greatest compliment." 

Kulkarni shared Shah's perspective on the character's absence, saying, "But he said a very important thing, that Pandit Ji shouldn't have been there; otherwise, the second season wouldn't have been the way it is." 

On the complex "love triangle" of the older characters

Discussing the intriguing dynamic between Atul Kulkarni’s character and those of Sheeba Chaddha and Rajesh Tailang, he said, "It's a nice triangle; a Bermuda triangle. It is the power of the writing because it is not about youth. It is not about getting married and having kids and all that at that age. It is just about what you have lost in the process. Mohini (Sheeba) has not only lost the man; she has lost Sangeet because of that, and she is gaining it back in the second season. It starts with that, actually, and so it is beautifully written." 

He credited the show’s creative team, stating, "That is why, I think, even in the first season and now in the second season, you are mentioning the triangle. But I think it is beautifully written, beautifully directed." 

Significance of Bandish Bandits

For Kulkarni, Bandish Bandits is a testament to the love and dedication of its audience. The actor concluded by saying, "I think more than us, I am really thrilled about how precious it is for the audiences. They have missed it for four years, and they have been asking us all the time when it is coming, and that very few people miss it, so that is how I think, for four years, people were looking for the second season. They were demanding the second season. I think that is the most precious thing, and it is very rare. This kind of love is very rare; keep that in your head for four years." 

As Bandish Bandits Season 2 streams on Prime Video, the show continues to strike a chord with audiences, blending classical music, emotional storytelling, and standout performances.

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