Kunal Karan Kapoor joins Tenali Rama in his first-ever costume drama role

The acclaimed period drama Tenali Rama is the newest venture for Kunal Karan Kapoor, who has been performing for over a decade and is renowned for his subtle portrayals. The actor is quite contemplative and thrilled about the chance, as the show is his first venture into the genre of historical costume dramas.

Decade of diverse performances

Kapoor, who became famous with Left Right Left in 2006 and went on to star in Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha (2012), Doli Armaano Ki (2015), Ziddi Dil Maane Na (2021), and most recently Udaariyaan (2024), is currently portraying the role of Lakshmanappa Swaminarayana Bhattaru, a former army doctor turned detective, in Tenali Rama. The actor has been known to take lengthy breaks between films, but he has always given meticulous consideration to the parts he plays.

A production insider told Mid Day about Kapoor's meticulous approach to drama that the actor never takes decisions lightly — there's often a tremendous deal of thought behind them.

Initial hesitations

The actor freely confesses that he was hesitant to accept a period piece at first. He admitted that he has always had reservations about tackling a costume drama. Kapoor chose to play the role of Lakshmanappa Swaminarayana Bhattaru, an army doctor-turned-detective, not because he thinks they're over-the-top, but because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to pull it off.

Nevertheless, there is personal weight to the role. Kapoor said that this one is for his dad, who used to watch the show.

According to the actor, he soon became pleased with the experience despite his initial fears. He fell in love with the whole process after arriving at the set lacking expectations. He is completely unfamiliar with the process of shooting a costume drama, so he is relying on his instincts.

Demanding preparation for the role

Kapoor then goes on to detail the meticulous planning that must be done before each shoot. Preparation for this show is far more involved than for his other shows. In this setting, getting ready takes him over an hour because of the costume, makeup, teeka, hair, and turban; however, in other situations, it typically only takes him five to ten minutes.

Fortunately, the show has been much more unforgettable because of the cast's vivid energy. For Kapoor, it feels like he has known them for years — especially Krishna Bharadwaj, who plays Tenali Rama.

Additionally, the actor has warm memories of his personal association with Tenali Rama from his childhood in the '90s. There were very few shows that were shown in colour back then, but Tenali Rama was one of them. The stories are classics, so everyone can enjoy them, and they were immensely popular in their time. Being in that attire, saying those lines, and being a part of this rich cultural legacy is an honour for him, and the actor is grateful to be playing a role next to Tenali.

Promising start

Kunal Karan Kapoor has already embraced the character of Tenali Rama in just eight days of filming, promising viewers not only amusement but also a nostalgic return to stories that resound with audiences of all ages.