Actor Adinath Kothare was last seen in the recently released web series City Of Dreams Season 2. The actor who plays a headstrong youth politician named Mahesh Aravle was the big surprise of the second season. The makers were cautious to not reveal details about Addinath’s character and also kept him away from the trailer. Now, almost a week after the release of Nagesh Kukunoor’s City of Dreams Season 2 on Disney+Hotstar, Adinath spoke to Bollywood Hungama about his experience working on the series and the overwhelming response he has been receiving for his performance.
Adinath is currently taking in all the appreciation coming his way for his portrayal of Mahesh Aravle and the general praise for the series. "Everyone was eagerly waiting for season 2. It is very rare that season 2 is even better than, or as successful as the first season. Most of the time, season 2 does not meet the expectations of season 1 because the audience expectation is very high. But this season is like wildfire. Nagesh sir has pulled off one of the finest scripts I think in web series. It’s overwhelming to be a part of this show and in that having a central character and that too a surprise entry. It feels special," he said.
"I am just amazed because random people on the road are congratulating me for my character. I think the audience reaction is the most important reaction. When random waiters, watchmen, people walking on the road, and taxi drivers; when these people start talking to you about your work that is when you realise that something is going right," he added.
Adinath, who will also be seen in the upcoming film ‘83 revealed that it was during the shoot of the film that he landed the role of Mahesh Aravle in City Of Dreams. Talking about how he landed the role, he said, "I was shooting for ‘83 with Kabir Khan where I am playing Dilip Vengsarkar. We were shooting with Illahi Abdullah, who was the language consultant there. That's where we met and she saw my work. When we came back from the shoot, I got a call from casting director Shruti Mahajan who was casting for City of Dreams at that time. She told me that Illahi recommended my name and then I went and met Shruti. We did an extensive look test for Mahesh Aravle and after the look test the same evening I got a call from Illahi saying that Nagesh sir wants to meet you tomorrow. I was like ‘wow! Did I get the part?’ and she was like ‘yes, you got the part’. Then I met Nagesh sir the next day. He was so grounded and so easy to talk to. But his knowledge, his experience, his ease of explaining all the intricacies of the character are so amazing. He explained to me the character of Mahesh Aravle and that's when I realised what an important character it is in the show. And I was blown. It’s like an author-backed character that is there in the show. We did a small look test with a costume with Nagesh sir and here I am."
Another aspect of Adinath’s character that is being well appreciated is his look. Revealing how they finalised Mahesh Aravle’s look, Adinath shares, "I had grown my hair and my beard as I was shooting for a film that time. I met Nagesh sir when I had some patchwork to shoot for that film. Nagesh sir saw my look and he was like this is superb. Let’s keep this for the character."
"Nagesh sir is truly a visionary. The way he saw the character in me and extracted the character. We shot the flashback towards the end of the shoot after the lockdown. At that time we removed the beard and trimmed the mustache. That made him a little younger and that really worked so much and it looks so amazing," he added.
Adinath’s character is a headstrong politician who stays true to his values but has a past that leaves him wounded for years to come. When asked if he had any reference point for his character and what prep he did to play the character convincingly, he revealed, "Nagesh sir had given me references of a few personalities in today's politics. Mahesh Aravle is a humanitarian. He says I am not a socialist, but I am a humanitarian. He is a very genuine person, yet very headstrong about his values. That is the kind of person very rare to find in modern-day politics. But he is one of a kind and that is why probably he is still struggling and that is why he is not able to grow because of his genuine methods. But there are some people whom Nagesh sir said I could follow to get that body language right. So I followed those personalities and I read a few books".
"Mahesh Aravle's character has a lot of layers and it is a very complicated character because of his disturbing past. He is carrying the wounds of his past with him and that is also one of the reasons he is suffering even today. That depth of his past has to be present in his eyes subtly along with being whatever he is today. It was not easy but Nagesh sir made it pretty easy for me with his explanation, rehearsals, and the workshops we did," he added.
City of Dreams also boasts of a great ensemble cast. Talking about working with them especially Atul Kulkarni with whom Adinath had some intense scenes, he said, "It was the first time I was working with Atul and Priya (Bapat) also. Even the scenes with Atul are powerful. Atul is such an experienced actor and my scenes are full of ‘Tashan’ with him."
"Atul and I are gym buddies. For many years we were going to the same gym and would also go cycling together. But we never got a chance to work together. And the first time on camera, I had to give full Tashan to him. So it was a little awkward for me. But when we came on the floor, it was not awkward and I was a little worried about how it was going to be. But when we got on the floor it was amazing. As I got into the costume of Mahesh Aravle, automatically I think one transforms into another world and Nagesh sir creates an atmosphere where you transform into that world and you exist over there when you are on the set," he added.
Adinath is largely seen in Marathi films and occasionally in Hindi projects. When asked what he looks for in the characters that he plays on screen, he said, "I think it’s more than you picking the project, the project picks you. I think a story picks you. Hum sirf zariya hai (We are just a path), I think. What I look for is good content, good story. I love to be a part of a great story. I think when you are a part of a great story you always reach the audience, your efforts are always seen, and a great story backed by a great team is like a winning combination."
The actor who is also a director and producer has some interesting projects lined up in both Hindi and Marathi languages. Talking about them he said, "I started the year by shooting for a very big Marathi film that is in the pipeline. I am not allowed to reveal but it is going to be the biggest announcement in Marathi this year. It’s also one of my favourite characters I will be performing on the celluloid. They are also planning to dub it in different languages. Along with that, Paani will be rolling out soon, ‘83 will be rolling out soon, there is a film called Panchak produced by Madhuri Dixit which will be rolling out soon. It is a dark comedy Marathi film. There is also an announcement of a big web series Hindi, that I will be doing."
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