I have never believed that art spoils, it does not have that strength
For a long time, there have been debates around the responsibility that the world of art carries in real life, but Atul Kulkarni feels this burden is unfair. “There’s nothing good or bad in the field of art. It’s the viewers who decide what they like or don’t like, what they choose to watch,” stresses the actor, adding, “I’ve never believed in the concept that art spoils. It doesn’t have that strength. People decide. They’re much wiser than we think.”
That’s particularly true for the growing OTT space, which he feels shouldn’t be pressed with the load of moral responsibility. “We try to judge any piece of art, in suspension. These things are part of what’s going on socially, economically and educationally around us, especially on OTT platforms,” explains the 55-year-old.
The actor feels the wave of technology will soon take over, and “what’s ultimately going to dictate is the viewers”. He adds, “We should not use words like responsibility or to try to have a moral judgment on these platforms. We’ve to be open about the whole process.”
Pointing out a positive change seeping into the space, he notes how in the web format, it all starts with excellent writing. Citing the example of his show, he says, “For instance, the way it reflects in City of Dreams, since the director and writer is the same. The concept of show runner is also very specific to OTT. It has come from the West. In India, we borrow concepts, and then take a while to understand those and make them our own. I think we’re in that process right now.”