{{Short description|Indian filmmaker and screenwriter}} {{Use British English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox person | name = Sachin Kundalkar | image = Sachin Kundalkar 2021.jpg | caption = Kundalkar in 2021 | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Film director, screenplay writer | yearsactive = | othername = | spouse = | children = | website = }} '''Sachin Kundalkar''' or ''Sacin Kuṇḍalakar'' is an Indian film director<ref>{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/feels-like-ishq-star-neeraj-madhav-unlike-bollywood-malayalam-cinema-doesnt-idolise-romance-as-much-7415292/|title=Feels Like Ishq star Neeraj Madhav: 'Unlike Bollywood, Malayalam cinema doesn't idolise romance as much' |publisher=Indian Express |date=23 July 2021}}</ref> and screenplay writer who mostly works in Marathi cinema. He is known for his directorial works of ''Nirop'' (2007) and ''Gandha'' (2009). He has also written for the theatre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/theatre/theatre_details.asp?code=228&source=1 |title=Theatre practices |author=Saumya Ancheri |accessdate=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128205341/http://timeoutmumbai.net/theatre/theatre_details.asp?code=228&source=1 |archivedate=28 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He is recipient of two National Film Awards, as a director for ''Nirop'' and as a screenwriter for ''Gandha'', the first Marathi film to win Best Screenplay award since the category's institution in 1967.
==Career== ===Theatre and other works=== Kundalkar, who had had an interest in film making since his school days, had approached director Ashutosh Gowarikar for assistance. But the director asked him to come back after finishing his education.<ref name=Choice>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/directors-choice/586660/0|title=Director's Choice|newspaper=Indian Express|date=4 March 2010|author=Kulkarni, Pranav|accessdate=20 April 2012}}</ref> While still a student, he assisted Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhthankar in their first film together, ''Doghi'' (1995). The film was adjudged as the Best Film on Other Social Issues at the 43rd National Film Awards.<ref name="43rdawardPDF">{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/43rd_nff_1996.pdf|title=43rd National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|accessdate=20 April 2012}}</ref> He also assisted in other films including ''Zindagi Zindabad'', ''Bhaais Barabar'' and ''Dahavi Fha''.<ref name=Fasttrack>{{cite news|url=http://esakal.com/esakal/20120304/5033915996046056892.htm|title=आउट ऑफ बॉक्स (फास्ट ट्रॅक)|author=Mahesh Bardapurkar|date=4 March 2012|newspaper=Sakal|language=Marathi|accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> After completing his degree in commerce, Kundalkar later on enrolled at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).<ref name=Choice/> With a scholarship from the French Government, he then attended La Fémis, Paris, and made a short film, ''One Cafe Please''.<ref name=Fasttrack/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://dnasyndication.com/dna/article/DNPUN22582|title=the Influentials|date=16 January 2010|newspaper=Daily News and Analysis|accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref>
Kundalkar directed short films and worked in theatre before entering the mainstream cinema. His first short film, ''Out of the Box'', was made while he was still a student at FTII. His 2005 documentary short film ''The Bath'', starring Rajat Kapoor, is based on an explicit gay theme.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article1142377.ece |title=Resurgence of sorts |newspaper=The Hindu |date=31 January 2011 |author=Maithili Rao |accessdate=16 May 2012}}</ref> The film won 2nd prize in the Short Fiction category presented by the Indian Documentary Producers' Association (IDPA) for "its sensitive depiction of issues of male sexuality"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idpaindia.org/ind_docu/ind_idpa_award_winners.htm |title=Independent Documentaries Awards |publisher=Indian Documentary Producers' Association |accessdate=20 April 2012 |archive-date=21 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621062754/http://www.idpaindia.org/ind_docu/ind_idpa_award_winners.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was also screened at the 30th San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ebar.com/arts/art_article.php?sec=film&article=190 |title=Short takes |newspaper=Bay Area Reporter |author=David Lamble |date=22 June 2006 |accessdate=16 May 2012}}</ref> Kundalkar has also portrayed homosexual characters in his Marathi plays ''Chotyasha Suteet'' (literally meaning ''In the Short Break'') and ''Poornaviram'' (literally meaning ''Fullstop''). He went on to write ''Fridge Madhe Thevlela Prem'' and ''Chandralok Complex''. All four plays were directed by Mohit Takalkar.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/Vibrant-tradition/article16148462.ece/ |title=Vibrant tradition |date=5 August 2008 |author=Gokhale, Shanta |newspaper=DNA |accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> These plays have also been staged in Hindi and English.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_but-homosexuality-is-not-taboo_1181686 |title=But homosexuality is not taboo |date=5 August 2008 |author=Vishakha Avachat |newspaper=DNA |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> ''Chotyasha Suteet'' has been staged as ''On Vacation'' for English audiences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hyderabad.burrp.com/events/nift_on-vacation---play_madhapur_hyderabad/1492442960 |title=On Vacation – Play |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://events.fullhyderabad.com/on-vacation-play-by-sutradhar/2009-december/tickets-dates-videos-reviews-37692-1.html |title=On Vacation – Play by Sutradhar |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref>
===Feature films=== Kundalkar released his first feature film, ''Restaurant'', in 2006. Featuring Sonali Kulkarni in the lead role, the film screened at the 4th Goa Marathi Film Festival,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/30/stories/2011053055140200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616223736/http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/30/stories/2011053055140200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 June 2011 |title=Vikram Gokhale will open film fest on June 3 |location=Panji |newspaper=The Hindu |date=30 May 2011 |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> 12th International Film Festival of Kerala,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralafilm.com/12thfilmlist.htm |title=12th IFFK |publisher=Chalchitra Academy |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> 8th Mumbai Film Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaifilmfest.com/archives_2006.php |title=Archives 2006 |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> and was also appreciated in other film festivals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/reel-relations/282750/ |title=Reel Relations |newspaper=Indian Express |author=Rutuja Wakankar |date=11 March 2008 |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> His second directorial film, ''Nirop'', presented the unsurfaced feelings of a musician in his last days in his hometown in Konkan before he moves to France. The film was adjudged as Best Feature Film in Marathi at the 55th National Film Awards for being "an original offbeat film that gives a fresh perspective of the internal landscapes of the human mind."<ref name="55thawardPDF">{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/55th_nff_2007.pdf|title=55th National Film Awards |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|accessdate=26 March 2012}}</ref> He shared this award with the producer of the film, Aparna Dharmadhikari. The film stars Sameer Dharmadhikari and Devika Daftardar in the lead roles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/national-award-for-second-film-nirop-director-thrilled/514246/ |title=National award for second film, 'Nirop' director thrilled |date=8 September 2009 |location=Pune |newspaper=Indian Express |accessdate=4 April 2012}}</ref> Kundalkar also wrote the script of this film.
His 2009 film ''Gandha'' is a blend of three different stories connected by the common factor of the human sense of smell. The stories were written by Kundalkar and his mother Archana Kundalkar. The film won the Best Screenplay Award at the 56th National Film Awards for "its remarkable integration of three different plots using the sense of smell as a liet motif to focus sensitively on human relationships".<!-- Misspelling of "leitmotif" is in source. --> ''Gandha'' became the first Marathi film to win this award after the category's institution in 1967.<ref name="56thawardPDF">{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/56th_nff_2008.pdf|title=56th National Film Awards |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|accessdate=27 March 2012}}</ref> The film was screened at the 8th Third Eye Asian Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/xjKsMtsFdA4UaamkYVGKMK/An-eye-for-cinema.html |title=An eye for cinema |author=Blessy Augustine |date=7 December 2009 |newspaper=Live Mint |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref>
Kundalkar's Bollywood directorial debut, ''Aiyyaa'', starring Rani Mukherjee and Prithviraj in lead roles released in 2012. The film was produced by Anurag Kashyap and Viacom 18.<ref name=Aiyaa>{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/bollywood/rani-mukerjee-signs-anurag-kashyaps-next-138638 |title=Rani Mukerjee signs Anurag Kashyap's next |publisher=NDTV |date=5 October 2011 |accessdate=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623060611/http://www.ndtv.com/article/bollywood/rani-mukerjee-signs-anurag-kashyaps-next-138638 |archivedate=23 June 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
In 2022, he directed Marathi relationship drama film ''Pondicherry'', which was entirely shot on iPhone with only 15 crew members.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Zore |first=Suyog |title=Pondicherry review: This melancholic yet charming film is all heart |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/reviews/pondicherry-38075 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225033038/https://www.cinestaan.com/reviews/pondicherry-38075 |url-status=live |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=Cinestaan}}</ref> Most recently, Kundalkar's 2013 novel ''Cobalt Blue'' was adapted into a feature film of the same name. It was released on Netflix in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramnath |first=Nandini |title='Cobalt Blue' review: A sexual awakening in primary colours |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1020958/cobalt-blue-review-a-sexual-awakening-in-primary-colours |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+Films ! Year !! Film !! Language !! Notes |- | 2000 || ''Out of the Box'' || Marathi || Short film |- | 2004 || ''Shubra Kaahi'' || Marathi || Short film |- | 2005 || ''The Bath'' || {{dash}} || Documentary film |- | 2006 || ''Restaurant''<ref name="GokulsingDissanayake2013">{{cite book|author1=K. Moti Gokulsing|author2=Wimal Dissanayake|title=Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djUFmlFbzFkC&pg=PA77|access-date=4 May 2013|date=17 April 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-77284-9|pages=77–}}</ref> || Marathi || Writer-Director |- | 2007 || ''Nirop'' || Marathi || Writer-Director |- | 2009 || ''Gandha'' || Marathi || Writer-Director |- | 2012 || ''Aiyyaa'' || Hindi|| Writer-Director<ref name=Aiyaa/> |- | 2014 || ''Happy Journey'' || Marathi || Writer-Director |- | 2015 || ''Rajwade and Sons'' || Marathi || Writer-Director |- | 2016 || ''Vazandar'' || Marathi || Writer-Director<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.punemirror.in/entertainment/marathi-reviews/Looking-ahead-2016-Feast-for-the-eyes/articleshow/50400056.cms|title=Looking ahead 2016: Feast for the eyes}}</ref> |- | 2017 || ''Gulabjaam'' || Marathi || Writer-Director<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.megamarathi.com/news/sonali-kulkarni-and-siddharth-chandekar-together-for-sachin-kundalkar-directorial-gulabjaam/|title = Sonali Kulkarni and Siddharth Chandekar Together for Sachin Kundalkar Directorial 'Gulabjaam' !|date = 2 April 2017}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2022 |Pondicherry |Marathi |Writer-Director<ref name=":0" /> |- | ''Cobalt Blue'' || Hindi || Writer-Director |}
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+Plays ! Title !! Language !! Role(s) |- | ''Dreams of Taleem'' || English || Writer<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/rO1qoYSuFM6Rqla4BAN55I/The-Time-OutMint-Planner.html |title=The Time Out-Mint Planner |date=25 March 2010 |newspaper=Live Mint |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> |- | ''Chotyasha Suteet'' || Marathi || Writer |- | ''Poornaviram'' || Marathi || Writer |- | ''Fridge Madhe Thevlela Prem'' || Marathi || Writer |- | ''Chandralok Complex'' || Marathi || Writer
|}
==Awards== ;National Film Awards * 2007 – Best Feature Film in Marathi – ''Nirop'' (as Director)<ref name="55thawardPDF"/> * 2008 – Best Screenplay – ''Gandha''<ref name="56thawardPDF"/> '''Maharashtra State Film Awards'''
* 2025 – Best Director II – ''Pondicherry'' ;Others * 2009 – Best Screenplay Award at Pune International Film Festival – ''Gandha''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sonalikulkarni.org/latest.htm |title=Gandha Marathi |author=Sonali Kulkarni |author-link=Sonali Kulkarni |accessdate=24 March 2012 |archive-date=21 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421153057/http://www.sonalikulkarni.org/latest.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Publications== At the age of 22, Kundalkar published his first novel, ''Cobalt Blue''. The novel, which he started when he was 20, concerns a brother and a sister from a traditional Marathi family falling in love with the same man.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/best-young-writers/817825/0 |title=Best Young Writers |first1=Premankur |last1= Biswas |first2=Sushant |last2=Kulkarni |first3=Nandini |last3=Nair |first4=Ashutosh |last4=Bhardwaj |date=17 July 2011 |newspaper=Indian Express |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> His other publications are: * ''Chotyasha Suteet'' Genre: Play Publisher: Keshav Bhikaji Dhavale<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rasik.com/cgi_bin/display_book.cgi?bookId=b80498&lang=marathi |title=छोट्याश्या सुट्टीत |language=Marathi |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> * ''Fridge Madhe Thevlela Prem: Purnaviram'' Genre: Play Publisher: Majestic Publications<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rasik.com/cgi_bin/display_book.cgi?bookId=b99395&lang=marathi |title=फ्रिजमध्ये ठेवलेलं प्रेम पूर्णविराम |language=Marathi |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Book/4774687581075481645.htm?Book=Freezmadhye-Thevlele-Prem-Purnviram |title=फ्रिजमध्ये ठेवलेलं प्रेम पूर्णविराम |language=Marathi |newspaper=Sakal |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref>
He has also written articles for the Marathi newspaper ''Sakal''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://esakal.com/esakal/20110626/5681371799355764995.htm |title=टक...टक... |newspaper=Sakal |date= 26 June 2011 |author=Kundalkar, Sachin |language=Marathi |accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{commons category}} * {{IMDb name|2590202}} * [http://www.janatantra.com/news/2010/09/27/sachin-kundulkar-opinion-on-marathi-cinema/ Interview with Sachin Kundalkar (Hindi Language)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404164916/http://www.janatantra.com/news/2010/09/27/sachin-kundulkar-opinion-on-marathi-cinema/ |date=4 April 2016 }} * [http://esakal.com/esakal/20120205/4937053820892850048.htm Interview with Sachin Kundalkar (Marathi Language)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111060340/http://esakal.com/esakal/20120205/4937053820892850048.htm |date=11 January 2013 }}
{{NationalFilmAwardBestScreenplay}} {{Sachin Kundalkar}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kundalkar, Sachin}} Category:Hindi-language film directors Category:Indian male screenwriters Category:Marathi film directors Category:Film directors from Maharashtra Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Best Original Screenplay National Film Award winners