Atul's Hollywood connection

Actor Atul Kulkarni is eagerly looking forward to the Hollywood film Singularity. Atul, who plays the character of Raoji in the film, says: 'It was an excellent experience shooting for it.
The film has turned out well.' How did the role come about? 'The unit was casting for the film in India. Roland (Joffe, the director) had seen some of my films. We met a couple of times and then he finalised me for the part,' Atul says.
The film is the story of a Marine archaeologist who is in a Boston Hospital. While he's in coma, the film takes the viewers back in time to Pune in 1778 when the East India Company invaded palaces. The young captain named James Stewart (Josh Hartnett) falls deeply in love with a Maratha warrior named Tulaja Naik (Bipasha Basu) while on his dangerous mission. Atul's parts were shot in Australia and he was not a part of the schedule in India. He says, 'I didn't do the film because of the Hollywood connection. I liked the script and my role Raoji is a prominent character in the film. There was good scope for me as a performer.'
The definitions of professionalism and work culture are very different abroad, adds the actor. 'There is a standard operation procedure and everyone adheres to it. People come to the sets on time and leave the sets on time too,' he says. The film also stars Abhay Deol, Milind Gunaji, Vijay Thombre and Nisha Sharma in important roles. Ask Atul about working with Josh and he quips, 'Josh is an extremely professional actor and a wonderful co-star.'