Actor-director Kunal Kemmu, known for his remarkable work in the recently released streaming series “Single Papa,” shared an insightful glimpse into his journey with acting. He reflected on the moment his passion for the craft ignited and solidified his decision to pursue a career in acting.
Kunal has been in the industry since he was just 9 years old, marking an impressive career that spans three decades. His portfolio includes some of the most entertaining blockbusters in Hindi cinema, along with critically acclaimed films like “Zakhm.”
During a promotional conversation for “Single Papa,” Kunal expressed, “I think it’s like a constantly burning desire. It’s like you got to keep adding fuel to it and make sure that it doesn’t die out. And I don’t think even dying out is in your hands. It’s just your personality. It’ll be different for everybody.”
Recalling what drew him to acting, he said, “I didn’t even know if I wanted to be an actor as a child. But, I saw my parents on stage and I saw them act and I was like, ‘I love films’. And I was like, ‘How will it feel to be on a big screen?’. So, I went for it. Then I really enjoyed it. By the age of 15, I was like, ‘I want to be an actor’. And so even when I did college, I was on stage. I did a lot of theatre. I got a chance to kind of do a film like ‘Kalyug’. And that’s when I fell in love with the entire workings of how films are made.”
Kunal emphasized the significance of patience in an actor’s career, highlighting how it can lead to better decision-making. He mentioned, “In an actor’s life, there are often times that you’re working 24×7. And there are times like six months or a year, when you don’t have work as an actor, and you are at home. That’s when, you know, you go through this maturing phase of how do you deal with things that are not in your control? How do you deal with these ups and downs, happiness and sadness? I loved the entire process of making films; I had stories in my head that I was forced to, in case of ‘Madgaon Express,’ put down on paper.”
He continued, “So I trained the writer within me. And then years later, I didn’t know if it was going to be fruitful. I was just doing it as a therapeutic exercise. But I kept writing. And I think I really enjoyed it.”
“Single Papa” is currently streaming on Netflix.