Showing posts with label Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. Show all posts
After a successful release, I was at home for nearly two years, lost crucial time in my career-Karan Tacker
3:12 PM
Neha Maheshwri (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 29, 2026)
Karan Tacker has steadily built a presence in the OTT space. His journey began with Special Ops, followed by Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, and most recently Bhay: The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery.
Talking about what drew him to Bhay, Tacker says, “It is Gaurav Tiwari’s story, all the way. He came to Mumbai to become an actor but couldn’t crack it because he couldn’t do ‘ji huzoori’ and eventually became a trained pilot in the US. After a paranormal incident, he studied metaphysics, returned to India, practised it, and died a mysterious death at 32, within eight years.”
Ask him how he navigated the ‘ji huzoori’ norm often associated with showbiz, and he replies, “I have no complaints about my career. Every industry has its own challenges, and I am happy to embrace the challenges of the industry I am part of.”
Reflecting on his career journey, he says the most difficult part has been navigating the industry’s unpredictable phases.
“The first season of Special Ops, which was meant to be my big entry into the OTT space, released on the day India went into lockdown. As an actor, you expect momentum after a successful release, but instead, I was at home for nearly two years and lost crucial time in my career. When Khakee released, the industry was going through a slowdown, and there was barely any work. Dealing with these circumstances has been my biggest challenge.”
He adds, “I try to choose projects that excite and challenge me as an actor, but long gaps disrupt momentum. Since I don’t come from any kind of backing, phases like these make it even harder to stay visible and understand what works at a given point.”
No one offering me a romantic character; maybe makers don’t believe I can’t court a woman-Karan Tacker
10:29 AM
Karan Tacker speaks on how actors must ‘keep manoeuvring’ to break typecasting and attract diverse roles
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 13, 2025)
Karan Tacker, who skipped his birthday celebrations on May 11 due to the current situation in the country, has come a long way in his career. From his early days as a charming lover boy on television, he went on to do intense roles in web shows such as Special Ops (2020). He feels that is important as an actor should not be confined to any one kind of role.
“We have three platforms [movies, TV, OTT] today, and everyone has their individuality and their own problems. This one problem of slotting of actors tends to happen across all verticals,” says the actor, who recently joined the cast of Anupam Kher’s directorial Tanvi The Great.
He continues, “After Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022), I got a lot of cop roles immediately. This still happens, but as an actor, it’s on you how you want to take your career ahead. Sometimes, the industry can behave a little stunted; they look at what you are doing to offer you roles which they feel they can see in you. That’s the basic challenge — you keep manoeuvring.”
Citing his own example, he elaborates, “I came into acting as a romantic hero on TV. Everything I had done had a very strong love-oriented role. Because I started playing all these macho roles in recent times, I don’t get offered romance [roles] anymore. I miss that a bit as an actor. I feel I get very serious, investigative kind of roles; no one is coming to me for a romantic character. It makes you think maybe the makers don’t believe I can’t court a woman!”
Currently, he is rejuvenating after wrapping up the London schedule of his next series.
Violence in Kolkata has been the best kept secret for the longest period of time-Debatma Mandal
9:13 AM
Showrunner Neeraj Pandey and director Debatma Mandal on their connection to Kolkata and expanding the universe with Khakee: The Bengal Chapter
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 16, 2025)
How do you raise the stakes after success? By biting into an even more sumptuous world. With Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, the standalone sequel to Neeraj Pandey’s Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, that is the attempt. The series explores the crime-infested landscape of early 2000s Bengal, with an IPS officer tearing through a web of political power and law enforcement roadblocks. This crime drama boasts an ensemble cast led by Jeet, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Saswata Chatterjee, and Parambrata Chatterjee.
While Pandey continues as the showrunner, directorial responsibilities are shared by Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray. The series is set to stream in both Hindi and Bengali, making it Netflix’s first dual-language Indian crime show.
Mandal tells us, “The basic idea was from Neeraj. The idea that we could tell a story representing Kolkata a little better was always the endeavour. There were things about Kolkata that had not been explored earlier, which was an exciting premise to take up. We know how crime, politics, and violence work here because we’ve all grown up here. I think violence in Kolkata has been the best-kept secret for the longest period of time.”
When the Bihar chapter came out, Pandey had envisioned the Khakee franchise as a multi-series, each instalment focusing on a new state.
The showrunner added, “At that point in time, we were clear that the vision was to take it to different states. During the promotion of Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, somebody told me not to talk about the possibility of a season two right now. But we went ahead and said that this is supposed to be a multi-season show. If it doesn’t work out, no problem. But there’s nothing wrong with thinking of it, right? So we dreamt big from day zero. I’m happy that we’ve managed to tell a second season of this and am looking forward to many more.”
What’s the pada culture?
‘Pada’ means neighbourhood club/adda, a culture long practised in Kolkata. Initially, the members of the club were restricted to organising blood donation camps, hoisting the party’s flag, and conducting political rallies. They have now become the foot soldiers of the state government. Pandey, who spent a lot of time in Kolkata, explained, “We were just discussing the pada culture in Kolkata and how different it is from any other state. While the Bihar chapter was adapted, this is a fictional story, but we went back and referenced a lot of incidents we knew [beforehand].”
Mujhe apna career dekh ke khud se jalan ho jaati hai-Avinash Tiwary
11:07 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 25, 2024)
Actor Avinash Tiwary is very content with his career trajectory. Recently seen in the sleeper hit film Madgaon Express, the actor asserts that he isn’t insecure of competition or the fact that he is an outsider.
“Mujhe apne career ko dekh ke khud se jalan ho jaati hai. In the last three years, I don’t think any of my contemporaries have worked in such varied projects, with the country’s top producers, like I have,” the 38-year-old says.
“Laila Majnu (2018) is a popular romantic film, while Bulbbul (2020) is liked in the fantasy genre. Bambai Meri Jaan is one of the finest shows in its genre. Why wouldn’t I be envious of the career I am making?” the actor quips.
Point out that he takes up less work and Tiwary explains, “Bambai took four years of my life, then came Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. A web show is like three films. With the work I did, it felt like nine films in a year. I get very selective; there are only few things that excite me.”
Does he feel at home in the industry now? “When people see your work and admire it, they give love and respect. People respect (my work), so I feel a part of this industry a little more. It makes you feel you are one of them,” he says.
I was worried about my family’s reaction to Khakee: The Bihar Chapter-Avinash Tiwary
8:10 AM
Avinash, who is a Best Actor: Series nominee at mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, says it was tough to essay ruthless role in Khakee
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 20, 2023)
When creator Neeraj Pandey offered Avinash Tiwary the role of ruthless gangster Chandan Mahto in Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, the actor had two concerns. To begin with, he could not come to terms with the sheer villainy that the character represented. That, in turn, made him worry about his family’s reaction to the part.
“[In Chandan], we see a guy who could kill kids, and make rape [threats]. I didn’t know if I could bring such [evil] on screen, or be truthful to the character. Also, I was worried about my family’s reaction to it. It’s the closest audience that scares you the most. These thoughts made me wonder whether I should do the role,” recounts Tiwary.
His doubts have been evidently laid to rest. The Netflix series not only opened to a positive response, but it has also secured Tiwary a place in the Best Actor: Series category at the mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards. He remembers that his concerns stemmed from the belief that a character, which evoked fear and repulsion, wouldn’t find favour with the audience.
“In our cinemas, people, who are loved, are those who are shown as desirable. Our stars portray roles that have swag and charm. When you don’t see that in a role, you’re scared that it won’t be liked by viewers. But the show’s success has shown that if you have honed your skill, you will reach out to the world.”
While he is elated at the audiences’ response, his parents’ reaction has warmed his heart. “They were happy because they kept receiving [appreciation] calls from everyone they knew,” he grins.
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
Avinash Tiwary has been nominated in the Best Actor (Male): Series category for Khakee: The Bihar Chapter.
The other nominees are:
- Ishwak Singh (Rocket Boys)
- Jaideep Ahlawat (The Broken News)
- Jim Sarbh (Rocket Boys)
- Manav Vij (Tanaav)
- Meiyang Chang (Modern Love Mumbai)
- Randeep Hooda (CAT)
- Tahir Raj Bhasin (Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein)
There are 16 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.radiocity.in/hitlistott to cast your vote.
Voting lines close on February 22.
I feel blessed and privileged to have an audience waiting in anticipation of my work-Neeraj Pandey
8:26 AM
Creator Neeraj Pandey talks about his five-year journey of making Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, based on IPS officer Amit Lodha’s book Bihar Diaries
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; November 15, 2022)
He enjoys watching mindless comedies sometimes, but making one is not his cup of tea. Instead, Neeraj Pandey likes to tell gripping thrillers when he goes behind the camera. After Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story (2021), the director is ready with another thriller, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. Inspired by IPS Amit Lodha’s book Bihar Diaries: The True Story of How Bihar’s Most Dangerous Criminal Was Caught, the Netflix offering is a retelling of the conflict between the officer and Samant Pratap, one of Bihar’s most feared ganglords.
Ahead of the show’s release, creator Pandey discusses finding an unexpected hero in Lodha, and how he went beyond the book.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
What about this subject caught your fancy?
The journey started with my meeting with Amit [Lodha]. He is an ex-IITian, who chose to become an IPS officer. That acted like a magnet because I had never heard of anything like that. Thereon, [my attraction to the subject] kept on building because he is from Rajasthan, and then was posted in Patna — [he was] like a fish out of water. It made for a great story.
When dealing with a story inspired by real-life events, what are the things that you have to be careful about?
The spirit of the story is sacrosanct. We all take creative liberties [as] the story has to entertain the audience. So, you compress time and space to make it more dynamic, and in the process, some bits are left out, or you choose another route to tell what has happened. We have taken such liberties, but nothing that tinkers with the spirit of the story.
Besides referring to the book, how extensive was your personal research?
We definitely went beyond the book because Amit could write only so much about the particular case. Bhav [Dhulia, director], and Uma [Umashankar Singh, writer] and I spent a lot of time with Amit trying to get a sense of whatever we missed out on. We came across tons of material, and used it in our narrative. [We skipped] certain characters that didn’t align with our approach to this story. We also added several things that were not mentioned in the book. Amit felt they were not necessary for the book, but we felt it was important for the [visual] medium.
When did you start working on Khakee?
I started work on it in 2017. The pandemic set us back. After the first lockdown, our crew of 180 to 200 people shot in the hinterlands of Jharkhand. It had no basic infrastructure. We had equipment coming from Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, and actors flying in and out. It was a long schedule, moving from one village to the other, but we finished it in one go.
There is no fixed formula for what will work. How do you manage to hit the nail on the head every time?
I trust my instinct and take the plunge. Sometimes, you spend a lot of time on [a subject], and then realise that it’s not working. It takes more courage to pull the plug at that point. I have pulled the plug on a lot of projects. Even if the project has not worked out, the journey has taught me more. As for the pressure [of delivering successful shows], I feel blessed and privileged to have an audience waiting in anticipation of my work. I would rather be in this position, than anywhere else.
What made you repeat Karan Tacker in Khakee after Special Ops?
I have been proud of his work on Special Ops. When it came to this show’s casting, we unanimously thought of casting him again because he fits the bill. Amit is exactly like him. He is an unassuming person who doesn’t look like a cop at all. If he walked into this room, you’d think he is a Netflix executive. That is what we were seeking with Karan.
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