Kasaragod Embassy actor Kabir Duhan Singh: People will see a different side of me than Marco | Exclusive

Though Kabir Duhan Singh made his film debut with the Telugu movie Jil in 2015, he always had his eyes set on Malayalam cinema and was impatiently waiting for a call that took nearly seven years coming. Eventually, he signed for Tovino Thomas’ Ajayante Randam Moshanam, but his first Malayalam film to hit screens was Turbo with Mammootty in 2022. Still, it was his third outing in Malayalam as Cyrus in Unni Mukundan-led Marco that made Kabir Duhan Singh a formidable yet much-loved villain among Kerala audiences. That love Cyrus won for Marco is what Kabir Duhan Singh is hoping he will receive again with his upcoming web series Kasaragod Embassy, set to stream on Zee5 on March 20. In an exclusive interview with OTTplay, Kabir Duhan Singh talks about what to expect from the series, his role, his upcoming projects and more

What can you tell us about the upcoming series?

First of all, I’m very grateful that I am part of the series. It is a very unique series, revolving around forging passports. Many people have not attempted this type of series and the making is also nice. I got so many calls after the trailer dropped. I am very happy and excited, and people are gonna love this series. Of course, the team was really good - young buds - director Atish, DOP Rajesh and everyone else.  

How did you become part of the Malayalam series?

I was shooting for a Hindi film, and I got a call from a production controller with whom I had worked before. He told me there is this interesting series. I heard the concept and I liked it. Now the market has opened up and even big stars are going for OTT.

We have seen you in action avatars? But the trailer hinted that there could be a touch of comedy/quirkiness to your character?

Dammana is a mafia lord in Mangalore. He is so powerful that nobody can touch him. But he is not just the villain. There is a little bit of a comedic side to him, also. When he gets really mad, nobody would dare go near him. In this series, people will see a different kind of Kabir - there is action plus more performance. The story revolves around my character, who runs a forgery racket and how his life changes at one point.

I am looking forward to Kasaragod Embassy. I am looking forward to the messages that will come after the series, expecting the same love I got for Marco.

Also read: Kasaragod Embassy on OTT: 4 reasons to watch Malayalam web series

This is your first series in Malayalam and second overall. How different was the experience?

No, it is my first OTT series only. I have acted in one Hindi series, where I play the protagonist (repeats protagonist). But this is my first OTT subject; you can say it is my debut on OTT. Shooting for OTT projects is a little bit hectic. We are short on time and there is only a certain budget, but you cannot miss out on your performance either. But as I said, the team was very creative in their work. They know what to shoot and how to shoot, and they will stick with that.

What are your upcoming projects?

Two Malayalam movies - Kattalan and then Ottakomban with Suresh Gopi. I am also in talks for one more Malayalam movie with a big star, but I don't want to reveal more now. It is a big action film.

My Hindi debut is on the cards. The film Baap has four stars - Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol, Mithun da, and Jackie Shroff. I am coming opposite these stars as the main antagonist. Then I completed a Hindi OTT project. My 2 Telugu movies are coming - Jetlee with Mythri Movie Makers. There is one Tamil film and two Marathi movies. Around 9-10 movies will be released in 6 months.

You have earned appreciation for your villain roles. But do you want to break free from the tag?

Definitely. I am a good-looking man, I want to try other roles also. I am open to positive ones. I just finished a Telugu movie where I play an emotional father. An actor is like a vessel and you can mould it in different ways, and it is up to the director. If tomorrow I get a positive role from Malayalam, I would take it up. My favourite industry is also Malayalam because there is satisfaction here. The Kerala audience wants performance and realistic acting. If you get acceptance in Kerala, you will get acceptance anywhere.