Sunday, 11 April 2021 | MUSBA HASHMI
Sonali Kulkarni, who is all set to host SET’s Crime Patrol Satark: Justice Reloaded, tells MUSBA HASHMI what made her come on board the project and her experience
What does Justice Reloaded have on offer?
This is a chapter where we are reopening cold cases. It is quite a spine-chilling experience to go through cases that were so challenging and intriguing that they remained unsolved. How the closure finally came about is something that we will be showcasing.
What made you come on board the project?
I am an ardent fan of Anup Soni. We are friends. I had worked with him when I was yet to become a professional actor. I was in college and we had done Badalte Rishte, the only TV show that I have done. I have watched Anup’s work since then, and what he does always generates curiosity. So, Crime Patrol and Anup have a strong association for me, and the kind of trust and compassion that he has evoked in people’s heart, is something special. Taking up this season of Crime Patrol is like taking the baton forward from Anup and I hope that I make him proud. The opportunity came through Rakesh Sarang, and I’m so happy that he thought of me as an anchor.
What difference do you aim to make?
It is too early for me to say that I will bring some change, but for now, I can say, I will bring some change visually as a female anchor. I will take some time to even touch the excellence that the team has achieved with Anup. I don’t even dream to beat that, but I would love to take inspiration from Anup’s seasons and to, at least, create some awareness amongst people by connecting with them the way he had.
There have been many crime-based shows on TV, but only a few managed to leave a mark. Crime Patrol is one of them. Why?
The show always tries to tell people to be responsible citizens, and they always fight against blind faith. I have been one of the strongest activists of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti. I have worked for around 16 years with Dr Narendra Dabulkar, who has tried to appeal to people that have faith in God and religion, but do not let anyone exploit you emotionally, mentally, economically, physically and sexually. And let no child get abused because we have blind faith. Crime Patrol is like a torchlight, which is trying to make us aware and that can be one of the reasons behind its success.
Does it, in any way, bother you to host a crime show?
I am overwhelmed while shooting crime patrol. The stories are so intense and while reading the script at times I got tears in my eyes. What we see on news channels or social media platforms is just a glimpse, while in the real world there are a lot more crimes happening which we are not even aware of. The stories are so painful that I wish they were fiction and not reality. When I am back home from the shoot it takes time for me to compose. Not to mention that my respect for the police and judiciary is only growing day by day.
