The inspired story has blends of actual events and intriguing historical moments: Comall Sunjoy W on Salakaar

Mumbai: While the OTT space is packed with thrillers, Comall Sunjoy W, who co-founded Sphereorigins alongwith Sunjoy Waddhwa talks about their latest series Salaakar. The series, which is streaming and trending on JioHotstar, carefully blends suspense with human emotions and presents a layered narrative that dwells between two timelines. She shared that her production house was intrigued by the story, and thus they came on board. She said, “The platform reached out to us with this concept. When the thought was narrated, we were drawn in by the thrilling espionage drama, as it is based on real-life individuals who are deeply committed to their country, showcasing the high stakes they face—not just in their missions but also in their personal lives and relationships. The inspired story has blends of actual events and intriguing historical moments.” Though she admitted that it was challenging to jump between timelines to unfold layers of secrets, duty, and identity, it is now one of the USPs of the series. She said, “Ensuring the narrative remains consistent across various timelines was definitely challenging for the writers. Director Faruk Kabir ensured that the pieces fit together seamlessly so that the viewers could easily follow what was happening in each era.” She added, “But the bigger challenge was keeping the emotional core consistent across different timelines, so the audience could stay connected to the characters and their stories, no matter the era.” The inspired series centered on an Indian spy, Adhir, portrayed by Naveen Kasturia, who is tasked with a covert mission to infiltrate an enemy land, gather critical intelligence, and uncover a clandestine operation that could pose a major threat to national security.

She mentioned that their intention for the lead was to have someone who is simple yet impactful. Comall said, “Adhir’s character is inspired by an Indian spy hero known for his critical role in cross-border operations and intelligence work. We wanted an actor who looked believable with that understated presence, and his simplicity stood out for that character.” She further shared, “The primary objective of a spy is to blend in and operate without being noticed. So, the focus wasn’t on a sophisticated guy who’s super charming, but rather on someone with a simple and calm demeanor. Beneath that ordinary persona, he is fearless, willing to take risks, and has sharp analytical skills.” Along with Naveen, the series also featured Mouni Roy in a critical role. “Mouni’s character has different aspects that really create an interesting contrast. It shows the depth of the character and how she handles high-pressure situations, while also revealing her more vulnerable and human side. Her arc drives the story to the climax, creating tension and building intensity that will keep the viewers completely engaged,” Comall said. A lot of research went into understanding the portrayal of espionage. “Since the story is inspired by a real event, the team and the director researched into the details of espionage to understand the nuances and get inputs from former spies as well. Their focus was more on portraying the human experiences, emotions, and moral challenges faced by the characters and creating a story that felt both authentic and relatable,” she said. “Direction, cinematography, production design, and costumes were also key in maintaining a realistic vibe. The director ensured that the palette had a more subtle style so that the visuals effectively highlighted the tension and intrigue in the story,” Comall ended.

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Date : 03 September 2025 Posted By : EDITOR

The inspired story has blends of actual events and intriguing historical moments: Comall Sunjoy W on Salakaar

The inspired story has blends of actual events and intriguing historical moments: Comall Sunjoy W on Salakaar

Mumbai: While the OTT space is packed with thrillers, Comall Sunjoy W, who co-founded Sphereorigins alongwith Sunjoy Waddhwa talks about their latest series Salaakar. The series, which is streaming and trending on JioHotstar, carefully blends suspense with human emotions and presents a layered narrative that dwells between two timelines. She shared that her production house was intrigued by the story, and thus they came on board. She said, "The platform reached out to us with this concept. When the thought was narrated, we were drawn in by the thrilling espionage drama, as it is based on real-life individuals who are deeply committed to their country, showcasing the high stakes they face—not just in their missions but also in their personal lives and relationships. The inspired story has blends of actual events and intriguing historical moments.” Though she admitted that it was challenging to jump between timelines to unfold layers of secrets, duty, and identity, it is now one of the USPs of the series. She said, “Ensuring the narrative remains consistent across various timelines was definitely challenging for the writers. Director Faruk Kabir ensured that the pieces fit together seamlessly so that the viewers could easily follow what was happening in each era." She added, "But the bigger challenge was keeping the emotional core consistent across different timelines, so the audience could stay connected to the characters and their stories, no matter the era.” The inspired series centered on an Indian spy, Adhir, portrayed by Naveen Kasturia, who is tasked with a covert mission to infiltrate an enemy land, gather critical intelligence, and uncover a clandestine operation that could pose a major threat to national security.

She mentioned that their intention for the lead was to have someone who is simple yet impactful. Comall said, “Adhir’s character is inspired by an Indian spy hero known for his critical role in cross-border operations and intelligence work. We wanted an actor who looked believable with that understated presence, and his simplicity stood out for that character." She further shared, "The primary objective of a spy is to blend in and operate without being noticed. So, the focus wasn't on a sophisticated guy who's super charming, but rather on someone with a simple and calm demeanor. Beneath that ordinary persona, he is fearless, willing to take risks, and has sharp analytical skills.” Along with Naveen, the series also featured Mouni Roy in a critical role. “Mouni’s character has different aspects that really create an interesting contrast. It shows the depth of the character and how she handles high-pressure situations, while also revealing her more vulnerable and human side. Her arc drives the story to the climax, creating tension and building intensity that will keep the viewers completely engaged," Comall said. A lot of research went into understanding the portrayal of espionage. “Since the story is inspired by a real event, the team and the director researched into the details of espionage to understand the nuances and get inputs from former spies as well. Their focus was more on portraying the human experiences, emotions, and moral challenges faced by the characters and creating a story that felt both authentic and relatable," she said. "Direction, cinematography, production design, and costumes were also key in maintaining a realistic vibe. The director ensured that the palette had a more subtle style so that the visuals effectively highlighted the tension and intrigue in the story," Comall ended.

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