What Was It Like for Vaibhav Raj Gupta to Play a Cop in 'Mandala Murders'?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Vaibhav Raj Gupta's dedication to his role in Mandala Murders is evident through his meticulous preparation.
- The emotional challenges of portraying Vikram Singh highlight the depth of character work required in acting.
- The series combines elements of mystery and horror, engaging viewers through its complex narrative.
- Directorial support is crucial for actors to explore emotional depths in their performances.
- Set in Charandaspur, the series addresses societal issues within its gripping storyline.
Mumbai, July 30 (NationPress) Actor Vaibhav Raj Gupta, who portrays a police officer named Vikram Singh in the new series “Mandala Murders”, has opened up about his remarkable journey, highlighting that the first day of the look test was a significant milestone for him.
Reflecting on his experience, Vaibhav shares: “I documented every moment from day one until the final wrap while working on Mandala Murders. I’ll always remember the moment the YRF gates swung open for me—it was truly special.”
“The initial day of the look test marked a major milestone. Being chosen for the role was a moment filled with pride and exhilaration for me.”
Discussing his preparation, he noted that Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat “collaborated with me for months in workshops, meticulously crafting every aspect of Vikram.”
“From his posture, movements, and the way he channels his anger to the right voice tone, appearance, and intensity, they developed the character with me piece by piece.”
“The directive was to embody this angry young man, which is vastly different from my personality, so those sessions were invaluable in helping me step beyond myself and into Vikram,” he expressed.
Speaking about the emotional challenges of the role, he adds, “I became emotional because what my character experiences is quite challenging; it’s tough for any actor to digest. I aimed to make it authentic and relatable.”
“My directors assisted me in unveiling that emotional depth, and I even found myself in tears on set a few times after particularly intense scenes.”
Mandala Murders is set in the fictional town of Charandaspur, Uttar Pradesh, intertwining elements of mystery, supernatural horror, and psychological thriller. The series follows detectives Rea Thomas and Vikram Singh as they delve into ritualistic murders connected to a clandestine cult, the Aayastis, and a mythical entity known as Yast.
The ensemble cast includes Vaani Kapoor, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Surveen Chawla, Raghubir Yadav, and Shriya Pilgaonkar in pivotal roles.
Spanning eight episodes, the series delves into themes of faith, betrayal, caste, and patriarchy, merging contemporary police procedures with occult practices.