Kunal Kemmu on returning to acting with Single Papa after directing Madgaon Express: 'It's allowed me to have all of these opinions that I would have kept within me' | Exclusive

Kunal Kemmu, fresh off his directorial success with Madgaon Express, spoke exclusively to OTTplay about his latest Netflix series, Single Papa, now streaming. The series sees the actor play Gaurav Gehlot, a man-child who decides to adopt a child primarily to become 'responsible'. In a candid discussion, Kemmu spoke about the complex and initially selfish motivations of his character.

Kunal Kemmu on his character's ego-driven decision

He noted that Gaurav's initial drive to become a father and gain responsibility is rooted in ego and a lack of true understanding of parenthood, addressing the core irony of his character.

The actor told us, "I think even for Gaurav in the show, uski pehle zidd hoti hai. I don't think he knows exactly what it entails and how it's going to be. Or kahin na kahin, he takes that decision in ego, and then he fulfils it in ego as well. Because, like, now you've seen the show, like, at some point he faces the difficulties of the realities of becoming a father. You know, it's not just like, 'Oh, I'll have a sweet baby in my life who will make me feel happy.'"

ALSO READ: Single Papa review: Kunal Kemmu brilliantly anchors this adoption-meets-adaptation dramedy

Parenthood as lifetime commitment

The actor detailed the difficult, unglamorous realities of single parenting that his character must confront. He went on to share, "You also have to clean for that baby; you have to cook for that baby in a way; you have to look after that baby. And that takes a lot of time. Your timetable goes for a toss, your sleeping hours are according to the baby, and all of those things about parenting which are not in the advertisement of, you know, when they say, 'Oh, baap, parent ban gaye, bada achha laga, you know, bachche to zindagi ko poora karte hain, khushi laate hain,' but there is a lot of stuff that, other than that, goes in."

Kemmu concluded that the series serves as an important commentary on the lifelong commitment of raising a child. He stated, "So, yes, I do think that this is an important show to also showcase that, just to say that, 'I want to be a father' or 'I want to adopt' or 'I want to have children' is not just a statement. It's a lifetime of commitment that you have to make. And I think Gaurav very interestingly kind of learns that, despite the fact that there are people in his family and around him who are telling him that this is what it is, like everybody else, he needs to walk his own walk."

Directorial experience

Following his acclaimed directorial debut, Madgaon Express, Kemmu was asked if he now approaches scripts with a director's eye, focusing on logistics over a character's emotional truth. Talking about the same, the actor-filmmaker went on to say, "Well, not necessarily. I think I have a lot more respect for directors, and I know how life works behind the camera now. But apart from that, I think what it's allowed me to kind of have all of these opinions that I would keep within me and maybe not kind of share or feel like this could have been done like that."

The experience, he stated, has led him to be content with his role as an actor. He shared, "I got an opportunity to do that with my own film. So, now I just feel I am way happier just being an actor and taking my directions from the director and doing what the script asks me for. Unless my opinion is asked for, then I give it; otherwise, I'm very happy being an actor. But my process as an actor has remained the same otherwise."

Dismissing Brooklyn Nine-Nine adaptation rumours

Finally, when asked about rumours of him starring in an Indian adaptation of the popular American sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Kemmu quickly dismissed the speculation. He quipped, "No, I don't think I am. I know that whole thing came up, but I'm unaware of that. I mean, I don't know if it's good or bad, but like, I haven't heard anything about it."

Single Papa, a comedy-drama, is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Kunal Kemmu FAQs:

Q: What is Kunal Kemmu's new Netflix series?

A: Kunal Kemmu's latest Netflix series is titled Single Papa, and it is currently streaming.

Q: What character does Kunal Kemmu play in Single Papa?

A: Kunal Kemmu plays the character Gaurav Gehlot, a man-child who decides to adopt a child primarily to become "responsible."

Q: Is Kunal Kemmu starring in an Indian adaptation of Brooklyn Nine-Nine?

A: No, Kunal Kemmu dismissed the speculation, stating that he is unaware of the rumoured Indian adaptation of the popular American sitcom.