Kunaal Roy Kapur, an actor known for winning hearts with his versatile roles, opens up about his career and the lucky break he's had with some unforgettable characters. In a recent interview, he shared his thoughts on being fortunate to receive such opportunities and how he approaches his comic roles.
Talking about his characters done so far, he said, "I feel fortunate that I've gotten the chance to play some wonderful characters in my career. If an actor can have 4-5 characters in their career that remain etched in the hearts of people, that’s a big thing. Every actor’s career should have these 4-5 characters that become favorites of the audience. If you look at my career, I can say I’ve been lucky to get 3-4 such characters. But full credit doesn't go to me; it’s the directors and writers who create these characters. I’m just the beneficiary of these roles. I’ve been lucky to be a part of such projects, and I’m glad that people still remember them."
Kunaal recalls his role in the film Action Jackson, which may not have performed well at the box office but has found a second life on television and OTT platforms. "Many people remember me from Action Jackson. The film didn’t do well in theatres, but it got a lot of love on TV. People still remember my work, and it feels great to know that my contribution is being appreciated. It feels like my job is done."
As an actor who often gets offered comic roles, Kunaal talks about how important it is for him to avoid repeating the same type of comedy. "I mostly get offered comic roles, and I try to ensure that each character I play is different from the last. If I keep playing the same type of role, it can become repetitive. What matters to me is that the character’s arc is distinct. I look for how the character begins, their journey, and how important their role is within the story and screenplay. Of course, the director and producer also play an important part in shaping this decision."
When asked about the challenges of doing comedy, Kunaal explains, "It’s not about whether it’s easy or hard; it's a skill that comes with reacting to your fellow actors. I’m from theatre, so I’ve learned to sense the audience. In theatre, you can feel the audience's energy and laughter. When I work in films, I try to imagine when the audience would laugh, how long I should pause, and how they would respond. It’s all about knowing the timing and understanding the rhythm of the scene."
Kunaal was last seen in season two of Bandish Bandits and received immense love and appreciation from the audience.