Killer Soup's Dark Humor Explored by Manoj Bajpayee, Konkona Sensharma, Sayaji Shinde

In the enigmatic film Killer Soup, formidable actors Manoj Bajpayee and Konkona Sensharma share the screen for the first time. Abhishek Chaubey, the filmmaker of movies like Sonchiriya, Udta Punjab, and Ishqiya, among others, is the creator and director of the eight-episode series, which is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Manoj plays two roles in Killer Soup, which is set in the made-up south Indian town of Mainjur. The ensemble cast is diverse and includes Nassar, Lal, and co-star Sayaji Shinde from Shool. The Telegraph got up with Manoj, Konkona, and Sayaji about their most recent release over a lighthearted and informal conversation.

Killer Soup is an absurd, humorous, and dark ride. I am aware that the concept originated from a newspaper headline that aptly demonstrates the adage "truth is stranger than fiction." When you were originally informed about the notion, how did you feel?

Konkona Sensharma: I was shocked when I initially read the script. After seeing Episode 3, there was a pause while Episode 4 was being revised. I was then sent Episodes 4 and 5. I used to message the show's creator, writer, and director, Abhishek Chaubey, after reading an episode and commenting, "It's crazy." Really, what could go wrong next? What will take place? What more is going to be added? I was very shocked.
Manoj Bajpayee: Abhishek phoned me when I was stuck in Uttarakhand during the lockdown. He stated it was taken from a headline and handed me only one line. When I returned to Mumbai, he promised to have a detailed conversation with me. I went straight to his office as soon as I returned to Mumbai. They were still building the story, but he talked to me about it. They were working on the bible, a resource that screenwriters use to find details on locales, characters, and other aspects of a film.
Konkona: It sounded crazy that time, too, didn't it?
Manoj: Absurd! It was so crazy! And I burst out laughing when I read the first episode. It wasn't just me reading it. I remember Abhishek calling me into the office to read it aloud. I was shocked to witness the Killer Soup universe materialize before my very eyes. One has never heard of or seen something like this before. I believe I watch a significant amount of information.
Konkona: Unlike me, you do watch enough.
Manoj: Without fail! The Coen Brothers have always been an enormous fan of mine. The only similarity I could see between Killer Soup and the Coen brothers was that it goes beyond their work. However, it's not only that. I'm still at a loss for words when it comes to that "something else," even though we've already shot it and it's set for release.
Konkona: I believe that to be Abhishek's style.

I adore how he masterfully reins in the show even if it appears to be purposefully spinning out of control at different moments.

Manoj: Exactly, and just as everything starts to make sense, Arvind, played by Sayaji Shinde, shows up to stir up even more confusion! (laughs)
Sayaji Shinde "Let's listen to the story," I said to Abhishek when we first met. Two episodes later, I yelled, "Stop now!" (laughs)
Manoj: It takes time for it to sink in.
Sayaji: Accurate. There is a recurring theme throughout the script, "What will happen next?" For the next two episodes, I returned a bit later, but in the meanwhile, I couldn't stop wondering what would come next. However, Abhishek would always come up with something completely different from whatever I thought of. And it took place four times! Even after so many narrations, I was unable to predict what would happen next for the first time in my life.

What aspects of Killer Soup are characteristic of an Abhishek Chaubey project, and what aspects aren't?

Manoj: It's both true and false in a lot of ways. I enjoy that Swati's (Konkona's) character is never judged in this episode. Even in his films, such as Ishqiya and Dedh Ishqiya, that is evident. Here's where the director enters the picture, where Abhishek is mirrored. I thought he was still exploring the remainder of Killer Soup, especially with the other characters. But he holds Swati in high regard.
Konkona: Manoj and I both agree. Abhishek's specialty is his ability to spotlight and comprehend human behavior from both a macro and micro perspective. He adopts a broad perspective, allowing us to witness the convergence of these characters.

He also does a good job when including ridiculous and comedic themes. His previous movies also contain absurdist aspects. However, since this is a series, you can include a lot of these kinds of aspects. Additionally, he wants to explore new regions rather than repeating himself. However, he never gives up on his comprehension of how people behave.
Sayaji: His direction is excellent. Even when things are tense on set, he doesn't lose his calm.
Manoj: In every circumstance. Even though it can be pouring or the performer isn't giving his best performance, he never loses his composure. He never hesitates to lend a hand and is constantly considering solutions.

Manoj and Konkona, you two had never collaborated until Killer Soup. Has that chance never come up before? What was it like to be an actor on a set where you could draw energy from each other? And Konkona, you had to deal with two Manojs!

Konkona: (laughs) I had one Manoj that I liked and one that I didn't! When Manoj's character Jab Prabhu (Prabhakar) arrived on set, the atmosphere was really funny! Manoj chuckles. Extremely loud, in both demeanor and attire; he was always burping, mistreating Swati, and acting in such an impolite manner. I used to think, "Oh ho, he's come again."

I used to like Umesh (played by Manoj as well); he was such a kind, forgiving, and compassionate man that Swati could control. In the third, Umesh was attempting to pass for Prabhu! He has created a whole different character for that. It is a triple role rather than a double role! We used to refer to him as "Pramesh" since, well, Umesh and Prabhakar aren't real, but Pramesh is real. Swati would occasionally become confused herself and would vent her resentment and fury against Prabhu on bechara Umesh. Umesh was perplexed as well: "Yeh kya ho raha hain?" The interpersonal interactions in this show are really fascinating.

I'm happy I had the opportunity to collaborate with Abhishek to the extent that I did. I've always wanted to work with him. Considering how long we have both been in the industry, I am shocked that Manoj and I have never been cast in the same movie, let alone together. It was my goal to work with him.
Manoj: Before this series, no one offered us anything. It's not as though we turned down a project when it was offered to us.
Konkona: The fact that we operate in a similar sector makes it extra odd that nobody thought to cast us together. As you surely have noticed, the remainder of the cast is also really fierce. This isn't your average Bombay cast. Even though we don't get to work with them, these individuals—Kani (Kusruti), Nassar, and Lal—improve the project as a whole and make it seem more real and true, which is beneficial.

It's interesting that you said authenticity because, in my opinion, the South Indian setting perfectly complements the Killer Soup narrative. Thus far, the streaming media has primarily featured unvarnished, suspenseful tales set in the central region of India. In your opinion, how did the setting fit into the story? Additionally, Konkona, you have spoken Tamil quite a bit, and I must add, rather effectively.

Konkona: The fact that it isn't generic is wonderful. It has a really distinct context because of all these elements, and I firmly think that authenticity increases with specificity. It is more universal the more credible it is. It's the little things—a certain moment, location, or type of person—that make the transition from being personalized to universal. The type of business tycoon that your character is—he turns to Sayaji—cannot exist in Bombay. He's a big figure in Mainjur, this little town. His personality and influence are evident in even the production design, down to the smallest elements. Furthermore, that is ingrained in the larger-than-life persona's society.
Manoj: It was unimaginable even four or five years ago for a Tamil actor to play a Tamil character in a Hindi television series or movie. That action alone adds a great deal of genuineness. Even when they make an effort to speak Hindi, their pronunciation is not authentic; rather, it is a method of speaking a language they are unfamiliar with. A project gains more traction the instant you adopt such authenticity.

Of the three of us, Sayaji Shinde speaks Tamil and Telugu very well due to his extensive experience in those film industries. However, Konkona and I were finding it difficult to communicate in Tamil, even with the limited language we knew.
Sayaji: Manoj had an extremely difficult task to complete for this web series. He puts a lot of heart into his work, but this time he's exceeded himself. His personas are so multifaceted. He has the ability to portray two or three characters simultaneously!

Konkona, Swati lacks any redeeming characteristics and is ruthlessly ambitious. Was an attempt made to make her more likeable, or did the plot require that she be this way?

Konkona: She had no choice but to be that way; otherwise, how could she have achieved her goals? "Mujhe restaurant kholna hain" was her opening line in Episode One, and she succeeded in saying it in the last episode, whatever happened in between. Sometimes, I think, you have to lose sight of the bigger picture when you're playing a character. For this reason, a director is guiding you at every turn.

I made an effort to trust everything Swati did. How else will she handle the matter if she doesn't do this? For her, it was not so much about the morality of it as it was about a bigger cause, a greater good. She basically does what has to be done all the time. Humanizing it wasn't necessary, in my opinion. I didn't see it that way or say it that way. However, I thought that we would have to carry out this task!

In this tale, there are greater evils than Swati. However, those sins are now considered normal. The greater perils of patriarchy, the way Swati is consistently disregarded, and the actions of the Shetty brothers—each of them is a sociopath in his own right. That has been totally accepted.

Which role was more challenging to portray, Manoj—Prabhakar or Umesh?

Manoj: Umesh has a very distinct past, and Prabhakar has a very distinct temperament. However, when combining the two, you are unsure of which should be visible at any given time. It was somewhat laborious to handle that. Please allow me to not claim any credit; I was constantly uncertain and perplexed. I had to constantly consider when it was OK to limp and when not to. When is the wrong leg to limp?
Konkona: (laughs) And when to limp with continuity!
Manoj: In addition, to determine when I needed to sound like Prabhakar and when I should sound like Umesh. And when it just needs to be a combination of it. It required too much thinking, and most of the time, I was unable to come to a decision. Suffering from that kind of uncertainty turned into pain. When I would glance at my director, I would see that he was merely speculating and not providing me with a specific response (laughs). We were working together to try to find the perfect pitch or moment for that particular circumstance. "Sir, achha toh lag raha hain" used to be Abhishek's lone response. Ahgey chalte hain! (Laughter erupts from everyone.)

To some extent, I'm sure the uncertainty must have also been thrilling and exhilarating.

Manoj: Unquestionably! It reminded me of being in a workshop. We were constantly unlearning, undoing, and learning at the same time. Our goal was to create new territory. Yes, when you're doing it, you experience that kind of awful circumstance. However, having your director by your side gives you comfort since it lets you know that you're not traveling alone. That level of certainty was constant. However, he was allowing me the room to wander, get lost, and look for something that, at the time, seemed intriguing and thrilling.

To wrap up on a lighter note, what would you consider to be a killer soup—that is, a soup that would warm you up, particularly in the wintertime?

Manoj: Yum, Tom Kha. Any Thai soup is something I always opt for because I adore Thai cuisine. I adore it so much!
Konkona: I adore a good, hot, transparent soup. However, because you mentioned winter, I'll say something delicious and buttery and creamy. similar to, say, French onion soup. That's delicious as well. You can also count rasam as a type of soup.
Sayaji: The greatest is Ghar ki Dal!

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