‘FINALLY, THINGS ARE WORKING FOR ME’
Manav Kaul, like many slow-burn stories, took a while to get where he is in his career. A steadfast performer and a risk-taker, Kaul is appreciative of the digital medium. The actor, who has a diverse body of work from shows including Ghoul, The Verdict - State vs Nanavati, The Fame Game (TFG) to web films Nail Polish, Ajeeb Daastaans (both 2021), feels it was all about “being at the right place at the right time”.
After a career spanning almost two decades, ask him if he feels like he has finally arrived, and he replies: “Finally, things are working [out for me]. People have realised I can deliver different kinds of roles and range of performances.”
Talking about the rise of the digital medium, he elaborates, “OTT is not just about the actors, but about creative people, cinematographers, directors and other technicians, who are now thriving and showing their potential as well. I feel, the foremost demand from OTT is to showcase something original and new. In theatres, people want to have good projects, which have been done [previously] or is a sure-shot success. Thus, there is less experimenting in theatre, unlike in OTT. What makes me happier is that there are so many women writers, so many stories
about women and so many women-led projects [happening now]. I feel now men and women are getting equal opportunities, as everyone has a chance to tell their stories.”
The success and love his web shows TFG and Ajeeb Daastaans received was taken note of by the industry. How has it been, dealing with so much love from his fans? “I was surprised with the reception of Ajeeb Daastaans, and later with that of TFG . My roles were different, they were in the romantic space. People loved and accepted me. Even today, I get so many messages for both these roles.”
Talking about his role in TFG, he says, “I was apprehensive of playing a superstar. I wondered if I would be able to pull it off or not. The space was unlike what I had attempted before. Thank God, it worked. I am thankful that the show and my character was loved. And what I loved about my character was that he didn’t push the fact that he was a superstar. He was normal person and a success story, but the core of his being was his loneliness; all of him was a unique combo of superstardom and depression. I would say I was lucky with a role like Manish Khanna,” he says.
The 45-year-old admits that before he started working on the web space, he was doing parts in films but was choosy, as there was limitation with regards to work. “There were not many platforms. Films had the burden of the box-office and didn’t give chance to new actors. It was difficult for many, but due to OTT, makers now realise they need such actors to pull off an eight or 10episode web series,” he says. “By far, my role in the film Nail Polish was one of the most difficult I have portrayed. It worked because the digital platform gave the freedom to the director and producer to follow their vision,” the actor signs off.