Heading to Nashik for Abhay 2 shoot after a four-month lockdown, Kunal Kemmu on how he will take precautions before reuniting with wife Soha Ali Khan, daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 20, 2020)

"After 120 days, I have finally gone beyond 500 metres from my building," laughs Kunal Kemmu, who headed to Nashik for the shoot of the second season of Abhay, on Sunday. Like countless other projects, the crime thriller — that was to go on floors in May — was delayed due to the Coronavirus lockdown. The actor admits he is excited and cautious in equal measure as he gears up to film his first project in the post-COVID world.

"We are headed to Nashik with a small crew, and have planned the schedule intricately. Even though we will be shooting in a relatively safe zone in the city, we will ensure that safety guidelines are strictly followed during the seven-day stint," he says.

Much as he would like to run back into the arms of wife Soha Ali Khan and two-year-old daughter Inaaya Naumi post the shoot, Kemmu is aware that it could pose a threat to their health. "I will self-quarantine [for 14 days] before returning home. Every member of the cast and crew was tested before reporting to the shoot, and we will do another round of tests after we wrap up," says Kemmu, who is gearing up for the release of Lootcase.

Rinky Kumar (DNA; April 23, 2019)

With his boy-next-door appeal and comic timing, Kunal Kemmu has become synonymous with comedy films. But the 35-year-old is all set to change that image this year as he has a slew of projects in which he will be seen in intense roles, starting with the recently-released Kalank. In a candid chat, he talks about making the shift from comedy, foraying into the digital arena with Abhay and bonding with brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan. Excerpts…

Tell us about your roles in your upcoming projects this year.
I play a dark character in Mohit Suri’s Malang. It’s an ensemble piece that also stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Disha Patani and Anil Kapoor. Then I have a comedy, which is directed by ad filmmaker Rajesh Krishnan. Even though that’s a story that may not be unique in a lot of ways, it has been told in an interesting way. It’s extremely funny and I can’t wait for its teaser to be launched. As for Go Goa Gone 2, I don’t know when it will go on floors, but everybody involved intends to start it as soon as possible.

Recently, you also made your web debut with Abhay in which you play an investigative officer. It was a new genre as well as a new platform for you...
I am a huge consumer of shows that are streamed on OTT platforms. I loved the space that Abhay was set in as I like detective shows. When I actually went on to the set, I couldn’t make out whether I was acting in a film or a web series. It has exactly the same feel. All the technicians involved have worked in cinema. It gives you immense satisfaction as you get to play a part in depth and  have more screen time to explore the character as opposed to a film. Moreover, this is the first time I am playing a cop. I’ve diverse roles in Kalank, Malang and Abhay, so I’m attempting different things this year. It has been an interesting 2019 so far.

Any learnings from your web experience that you feel will come in handy in your cinematic journey?
As an actor, you just do your job. You enact a role and take leads from the director. But in a web series, you sit with the writer, director and give inputs about the character that you are essaying. As the series progresses, you get a better idea of how your part will shape up. Also, the web is primarily a writer’s medium. In a digital series, you have eight to nine episodes and it’s tough to retain the audience’s interest for so long.

Has it been a conscious attempt on your part to explore other genres now because previously we have seen you in a lot of comic roles?
Karan Johar offered me Abdul’s role in Kalank. A few months later, Mohit narrated the part in Malang and I loved that character. And then earlier this year, I was approached for Abhay and I liked the idea because in every episode, I had to investigate a new crime. Moreover, it was set in the heartland. It’s sheer coincidence that I was offered these intense characters. This is the first year when I am not filming a comedy.

Will we see you on television soon because last time your small-screen debut didn’t work out as it was clashing with your Kalank schedule?
It wasn’t a planned move on my part even then. Kanpur Wale Khuranas came my way, I found it exciting and wanted to do it. Unfortunately, the dates didn’t work out. I am not planning to do television, but if something interesting comes up, I’ll think about it.

Your wife Soha (Ali Khan) and you were planning to venture into production and back a film based on lawyer Ram Jethmalani’s life. What’s the progress on that?
We are co-producing the film with RSVP. Hansal Mehta will direct it and the writing process is underway. Once the script is ready, we will get into casting.

Soha recently mentioned in an interview that your daughter Inaaya is quite active and naughty, and there is a lot of you that she sees in her.
I am happy that Inaaya is that way (laughs). She just turned one-and-a-half years old. New words are being added to her vocabulary. She is the centre of our lives. She is training us to be, I hope, good parents. It’s a lot of fun.

Last year, Saif made his web debut with Sacred Games. Now that you have ventured into the digital arena, do your conversations with him revolve a lot around work?
We rarely talk about work. We get along really well. He is so well-read and has diverse and vivid interests. It’s a learning experience to sit and talk with him about painting, cavalry charges, watches, travel or fitness. Both of us love to travel and we have visited a lot of places together.

Making his web debut with web series Abhay, Kunal Kemmu on how the medium offers an advantage over films; the actor also spoke about his daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; February 26, 2019)

He is no stranger to the big screen, having started his career as a child artiste. After 26 years in Bollywood, Kunal Kemmu has now graduated to the digital medium. In a chat the actor talks about his web debut on Zee5, and the joy of exploring new avenues.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

You've branched out to a new medium and genre with Abhay...
The show gave me a break from the comic roles I have been doing. It marks my comeback to playing intense characters. Secondly, I enjoy crime-related and investigative shows. The series tackles a new case in every episode, and yet, each crime is somehow connected to the protagonist's personal life.

What made you explore the digital space?
It was an instinctive call. OTT platforms have suddenly blown up and will only become bigger in the near future. Initially, people were not sure of how the medium functioned as a business model and whether it would bring returns. Shows like Sacred Games, Rangbaaz and Mirzapur are only the beginning. The demand is huge. As we move ahead, the changes that the platform can bring [in the entertainment space] will be evident.

How different is the experience from headlining a film?
A web show offers you a longer commitment with your role. Since I have seven hours to live the part compared to the two hours in a film, I can get into the skin of the character. Other than that, it still feels as if I'm on a film set, owing to the atmosphere and the kind of technicians we have on board.

Does it free you from the Friday test?
The best part of releasing shows your on OTT platforms is that they do not depend on a Friday. It gives makers the leeway to fidget with the budget. The math of a digital platform is different since it is based on subscribers.

Moving to films, you seem to have found your comfort zone in multi-starrers.
It's a relief when the film does not rest on your shoulders. But ultimately, it's the story that attracts me. A film like Golmaal would only work with an ensemble cast. So, it is as much Ajay's [Devgn] film as it is Arshad's [Warsi] or mine. But I do have a solo release in May. I am trying to explore it all because no one knows what kind of films work at the box office.

Considering you started your career as a child actor, would you be open to Inaaya starting off young?
I don't want to take decisions on my daughter's behalf. I want her to do everything she likes. All I want to do is give her access — let her read, act, travel and do whatever she hopes to. I want to stand on the sidelines and support her every decision. I don't want to transfer my aspirations to her. She has started walking and can say the word 'blue'. She is training us to be parents.