Kunal Kapoor: Can Cinema Rise Above Regional Divisions?

Synopsis
Actor Kunal Kapoor opens up about his experiences shooting across various languages, challenging the notion of regional divides in cinema. He emphasizes the need for Indian storytellers to unite beyond these constraints, advocating for a collective creative spirit in the industry. Discover how his journey reflects a broader vision of Indian cinema.
Key Takeaways
- Kunal Kapoor advocates for a unified Indian cinema.
- He challenges the notion of regional divides in storytelling.
- Artistic vision should transcend political interests.
- Every story in India is valuable and belongs to all.
- Kunal continues to expand his versatility in various languages.
Mumbai, May 5 (NationPress) Actor Kunal Kapoor, known for his recent release “Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins”, has shared his perspective on working in various languages, asserting that he does not categorize cinema by “North, South, East, or West.”
Kunal stated: "I see myself as an Indian actor making films across different Indian industries. I do not perceive cinema through regional lenses. These divisions primarily serve political agendas rather than artistic intentions."
He further elaborated, “It is the politicians who gain from this sort of regionalism. As artists, our vision must rise above these arbitrary separations." The actor, who has participated in notable projects like “Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities,” “Rang De Basanti,” and “Bachna Ae Haseeno,” emphasized the artistic freedom that Indian storytellers possess and underscored the need for filmmakers and actors to look beyond regional boundaries.
Kunal expressed, "The entire country serves as our canvas; every compelling story belongs to us, and every audience member is part of our audience. When we cease to identify ourselves as regional actors and instead embrace our roles as Indian storytellers, we unleash the full potential of our collective creative energy."
For those unfamiliar, Kunal has a diverse portfolio in Indian cinema, making his Malayalam debut with Veeram in 2016 and his Telugu debut with Devadas in 2018.
Looking ahead, he has another Telugu project titled Vishwambhara in the works and is expected to appear in “Ramayana” directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
Kunal began his career as an assistant director before making his acting debut in the 2004 film Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities. He later starred in films including Rang De Basanti, Aaja Nachle, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Don 2, Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, Dear Zindagi, Veeram, Gold, and The Empire. He will also be featured in Vishwambhara.
In addition to his acting, Kunal is a trained pilot and participates in rally and Formula 3 racing.