Kadak Singh Cast Chats: Family, Food, and the Power of Silence

Pankaj Tripathi, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Jaya Ahsan, and Sanjana Sanghi, collectively known as Team Kadak Singh, were in Calcutta last Friday for the Zee5 premiere of their film, which was directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury from Calcutta. T2 had a kadak chat with the actors at the JW Marriott Kolkata!

Today is the day of release. What kind of buzz has there been thus far, both on and off social media?

Thiruvothu Parvathy: For the first few days at least, I make the decision not to check social media. When my friends send me stuff saying, "Look at this one, look at that one," after reading reviews, I like it. They are a little kinder, so I enjoy sorting it through their perspective (smiles). However, I am excited to see Kadak Singh mentioned on Instagram. This is not meant as a jab at critics, but the writing and watching audiences have a totally different feel. It's only recently begun to pour in, and so far, everything is going really well.

Sanjana Sanghi: As time goes on, I realize that the feedback I get from the public is the most important thing I can get, so I've made it a point to attend every showing of my films. When you watch their faces right after they leave the theater, you can tell they are not lying. The initial response from the audience is genuine and unfiltered, and while reviews and social media posts can be manipulated, I believe it is crucial to preserve that feeling for the long term.

I think it was all captured by what we saw at both our first gala premiere at IFFI Goa and our premiere in Mumbai. Their statement, "These are the five things we loved and these are the two things that we were confused about or wished were better," caught my attention. Thus, it was also very beneficial.

Parvathy: The plot is the talk of the town. That although the plot is fairly straightforward, director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, also known as Tony, has approached it in a very unique way. It's a tribute of sorts to Rashomon (the Rashomon effect is the term used to describe how different parties give contradictory accounts of the same event). At the intermission yesterday, a viewer approached me and exclaimed, "There is no way you are that person (Parvathy's character Miss Kanan)!" When people tell me they don't recognise me as a character, it makes me very happy. I've been informed that the character's energy feels very different from mine, not just in terms of appearance.

The diversity of the casting has drawn attention in certain reviews. The plot of Kadak Singh treats society as a piece of fabric, and if you take a tiny slice out of any corner, you'll see a presence of many cultural traditions. Thus, all of India is represented in this geographical construct that Kadak Singh has created, including a Malayali nurse. This movie has delicately and without making any kind of overt statement conveyed that diversity.

This cast is as good as it gets. When you learned who your co-actors would be, how did you initially feel?

Parvathy: At first, all I knew about Pankajji (Tripathi), and I said "yes" right away since all of my scenes involve him and I thought it would be an acting workshop and masterclass for me. I was amazed at how quickly I got along with Paresh (Pahuja), Jaya, and Sanjana when I met them on set. We performed with the same reverence and respect for one another. Everyone came together perfectly energetically.

Sanjana: To be honest, this was the most universally affirmative "yes" I have ever expressed toward a movie. I had no idea who, what, or when the movie was until Tonyda and co-writer Ritesh Shah told me the story. I was unsure even if Pankaj sir was in the movie. I just heard Sakshi, her character name, and I immediately thought to myself, "I'm not going to let this go."

It was the icing on the cake when I found out later who was cast in the movie. It's not everyday that you just flow like butter, as Paro (Parvathy) put it. And by butter, I mean nice, melted butter, not the kind that's frozen in the fridge. We bonded so well together.

What motivated you most to undertake Kadak Singh, Pankaj?

Pankaj Tripathi: Without a doubt, the script. The names followed for a variety of reasons: Tonyda, Ritesh Shah, Viraf (co-producer Sarkari), Parvathy, Sanjana, Jaya.

On screen, you have portrayed fathers numerous times. However, isn't AK Srivastava, also known as "Kadak Singh," a very different kind of father?

Pankaj: Exactly, and also a completely different person. The opportunity to create something unique is what drew me in. One of the main reasons I signed on was the opportunity to shoot in Calcutta. I was excited about the different kind of writing because it meant I could do something special for this movie. I had never been presented with a script this complex and non-linear until Kadak Singh.

Pankaj, your characters checking themselves into a hospital and making friends with the charge nurse is almost a subgenre, following in the footsteps of Ludo and Kadak Singh.

Pankaj: I'll never believe what I heard yesterday! That there could be a romance between Kanan and AK Srivastava now (laughs). In this story, Jaya's character, Naina, has been forgotten by AK, but Kanan, who is in the present, is aware of her. He and her have excellent tuning.

Because Kadak Singh uses the unreliable narrator trope, there are a lot of conversation scenes in the novel. However, what really comes through are the moments of silence that the majority of your characters experience. How difficult was it to say so much in so little space?

Parvathy: Jaya is deserving of an answer because of the incredible way she has communicated through her silences. There was a lump in my throat from her silences. My friend and I were watching the movie together, and when Jaya appeared on screen, we couldn't contain our laughter.

Jaya Ahsan: I had no idea how I would manage. I never gave it much thought. I just followed my instincts and did what seemed right.

Parvathy: It's not always simple to create an atmosphere on a movie set where you can be brave and step into uncomfortable places as an actor. It's unclear to you if you ought to proceed with the next step. I didn't have it planned for a few of the scenes with Pankajji, but I was confident that I would land the fall safely. We were free to imagine things however we pleased. It was a fair game for all of us, but Tonyda would gently steer us in a different direction if he thought any of us were acting a little strangely.

Sanjana: I generally find silence to be liberating and dialogues to be rather crippling. I can feel and communicate a lot more as an actor when I'm not speaking. Sakshi is quite talkative and is frequently placed in situations where she must express her ideas verbally, so I had to work on that area.

How did you feel about working on this set?

Sanjana: The thing that stood out to me as an actor, even with all the cameras set up, was how effortless it was, aside from the fact that there would be a lot of conversation about food. Only Tonyda and Avikda—cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay—speak the same language. It also connotes magic. We don't get tired performing the same thing over and over as actors.

Parvathy: The meal was delicious! Naturally, there was food from Tonyda's place. One day, Sanjana then brought food. Those momos were incredible. One day, Pankajji brought Litti Chokha. Every day, Tonyda's dabbas would serve a variety of fish and mutton dishes.

Sanjana: Gur waala sweets were available every day when we were shooting in Calcutta right before winter arrived. I consider myself fortunate to be free of a sweet tooth.

Parvathy: But Jaya and I do as well!

Sanjana: The Kosha Mangsho was fantastic.

Parvathy: You ought to have witnessed how quickly we rushed each day to lunch! (Laughter from all) This set exuded nourishment in every way. I adore Tonyda's passion for sharing his experiences. What makes him happy is the joy he derives from sharing his experiences, both with food and otherwise.

When you heard the movie's title, how did you feel? It sparks a great deal of interest.

Pankaj: To be honest, at first I didn't get it. When you watch the movie, you'll see why it's called that—his kids call their strict father, Kadak Singh. However, I wasn't sure if the audience would find it compelling.

The name is reminiscent of Sunny Deol in the Gadar movie with a handpump.

Pankaj: Yes, it does appear to be an action movie. To be honest, I wouldn't have been shocked if some people had assumed—based solely on the title—that I am the evil guy who has taken these three women hostage! (laughs)

Honestly, when I heard it, Parvathy, I thought it was amazing. Beyond the nicknames his kids give him behind his back, Kadak Singh is much more than that. It has to do with how we view individuals and how fast we categorize and judge them. I found it quite courageous to use this name without providing an explanation. Undoubtedly, it may be deceptive.

Sanjana: Kadak Singh was not the working title. Though "Father" was available, it was already taken. It's possible that Kadak Singh doesn't capture the essence of the movie the way we as performers experienced acting out that narrative. But the audience seems to be enjoying it now. I have been sincerely asking people, and they all seem to find it very entertaining. People find it intriguing and catchy, and it piques their interest a lot. I suppose that's why it worked.

Parvathy: I believe we ought to return to the days when we were unable to deduce a movie's subject matter from its title.

In your life, who is the "Kadak Singh"? Are you a kadak dad to your daughter, Pankaj?

Pankaj: Absolutely not! I think I'm the most understanding father there is. The "Kadak Singh" of our home is my wife!

Parvathy: I was, and still am, my own Kadak Singh.

Jaya: I recognized aspects of my father in Pankajji's persona, as well as a particular resonance in his bond with Sakshi, Sanjana's character.

Sanjana: Kadak Singhs have appeared in my life in a variety of forms. My brother, who is only four years older than I am, has always been my permanent one; I have referred to him as the world's oldest young person. He used to give me gyan when he was thirteen, acting as though he was thirty. And he still does that. However, I appreciate it since he shows me the mirror. He exposes my foolishness. If I even slightly fly, he pulls me back. Thus, Kadak Singh is fortunate to have that.

"Kadak" also refers to something that energizes and puts a zing in your step. Is that correct for you?

Pankaj: We frequently believe that our parents are kadak, especially when we're young, but this notion of strictness robs us of our freedom. It shields us from harm and allows us to fly free.

Sanjana: Dosti is kadak in my opinion. I consider my closest friends to be my kadak companions, especially the women in my life.

Jaya: Creating a bond with my four-legged babies, my pets. I currently look after three dogs and a large number of others outside my home.

Parvathy: I don't know of a human term for kadak. I enjoy doing the dishwashing first thing in the morning because it makes me feel very kadak. I have a sense of control. I take care of my house, I wash the dishes, and I feel very maternal and nurturing there.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.