KUNAL KEMMU: MY HARD WORK GOT RECOGNISED AFTER A LONG TIME

The actor opens up about his directorial debut, finally getting his due and how he’s planning to balance both his passions

Success and failure are a part and parcel of what we do. You just keep your head down and do good work. KUNAL KEMMU, Actor

After spending over two decades in the industry as an actor, Kunal Kemmu has finally listened to his heart and made his directorial debut with Madgaon Express. As the film receives plaudits, the actor-turned-director only has gratitude.

“It is everything that I had hoped for. I had put my last two years into this film. So, to come out on the other side with the love that it is getting, it’s everything for me,” Kemmu tells us.

The 40-year-old, who has worked in films such as Kalyug (2005), Traffic Signal (2007) and Go Goa Gone (2013), doesn’t hesitate in admitting that he is finally getting his due. “I do think that it’s after a long time all the hard work I’ve done has got recognised. It feels great to be appreciated,” he states, adding that he now wishes to hone his craft.

Talking about his transition from acting to direction, he shares, “I felt it was very liberating because as an actor, you are spending most of the time in your vanity van after doing your shot. But as a director, I was on set, among all other people all the time.”

Another thing that Kemmu really enjoyed with Madgaon Express was that he got to turn into a music composer and songwriter: “This film gave me a lot of opportunities to showcase things I’ve always been passionate about.”

While he’s soaking in all the appreciation that he’s getting as a director, Kemmu has no plans to take a break from acting.

“My first love has always been acting. I am happy that I got a second (love) with direction. But, it’s far more time consuming. So, I will try to balance and manage both, and that’s the plan for now,” he concludes.