Kaalidhar Laapata director Madhumita on casting Abhishek Bachchan against type: 'His range as a performer deserves far more recognition'

Time of India

7 hours ago

Madhumita's acclaimed Tamil film K.D. is reimagined in Hindi as Kaalidhar Laapata, marking her Hindi directorial debut. She casts Abhishek Bachchan against type as Kaalidhar, a vulnerable character far from his usual urban persona. Madhumita highlights Bachchan's dedication and versatility, emphasizing his collaborative spirit and subtle improvisations that enriched the character, guided by Nikkhil Advani's insights for the Hindi audience.
With Kaalidhar Laapata, filmmaker
Madhumita
brings her acclaimed Tamil film K.D. to a wider audience—this time reimagined in Hindi, with
Abhishek Bachchan
in a role unlike any he's played before. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the director opened up about adapting her story for a new cultural lens, casting Abhishek completely against type, and the little moments on set that turned a powerful script into something deeply human.
Excerpts...
Kaalidhar Laapata marks your first direct foray into Hindi, remaking your acclaimed K.D. (2019). What motivated you to revisit this story for a new audience, and how was the experience different this time?
I see Kaalidhar Laapata more as an adaptation than a remake. I was genuinely excited—and grateful—for the chance to share this story with a new audience. While we've kept the heart of the original, both the characters and the treatment have evolved to suit the Hindi context. The experience was very different this time. For one, the scale and budget were on a completely different level compared to when I made KD in Tamil.
Working with Abhishek Bachchan sir, who truly became Kaalidhar for this film, was a privilege. Another difference was that in Tamil, when I made KD, there was no mentor / guide. I made it the way I wanted to, exploring, learning along the way. However with Kaalidhar, I had the able guidance of Mr.
Nikkhil Advani
, an experienced director himself, always guiding me on what the Hindi audience would expect and want.
What made Abhishek the perfect choice for this role?
What drew me to Abhishek Bachchan sir for this role was the opportunity to cast him completely against type.
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He's often seen as polished, stylish, articulate, and very much the quintessential urban gentleman. Kaalidhar, on the other hand, is the exact opposite—rough around the edges, vulnerable, and far removed from that world of sophistication. I was genuinely excited to see how Abhishek would transform himself for this character, and he absolutely embraced the challenge.
There's something incredibly compelling about watching an actor step outside his comfort zone and bring a whole new dimension to his craft.
Did Abhishek bring any unexpected layers or improvisations that surprised you during the shoot?
Abhishek sir and I had many in-depth discussions before filming began, and he was always eager to find new ways to add depth to Kaalidhar. While I had a clear vision of how Kaalidhar would talk, walk, and behave—and Abhishek sir fully embraced that—he also brought his own subtle touches that truly brought the character to life. One detail that stands out is his suggestion to add freckles to Kaalidhar's cheeks, which made perfect sense for a man who spends so much time out in the sun.
We also spent time discussing everything from the style of his beard and the shirts he'd wear to the way his hands might shake. These little nuances, many of which came from Abhishek sir himself, are what made Kaalidhar feel so real and layered.
On set, whenever I suggested an idea Abhishek sir liked, he'd exclaim, 'Kaise kar lete ho aap?' It became a running joke—soon, everyone started using that phrase whenever someone did something impressive.
It was a lovely reminder of the collaborative spirit that shaped the film.
Was there a scene between Abhishek and Daivik that moved you deeply on set — something that made you pause and just take it in?
I vividly remember one scene at the bus stop—an incredibly emotional moment. Abhishek sir delivered his lines with such sensitivity, pausing just long enough for Daivik to respond with a quiet sniffle. In that instant, they weren't Abhishek sir and Daivik anymore; they had truly become Kaalidhar and Ballu. I was so absorbed in their performance that I completely forgot to call 'cut.'
There was absolute silence on set—everyone was caught up in the moment.
After a long pause, Abhishek sir finally turned around, broke the tension, and with his trademark humour said, 'Kaise kar lete ho aap?' It was a beautiful reminder of the magic that can happen when actors are fully present.
As a director who's worked in Tamil cinema, how different was it directing Abhishek in Hindi? Did the linguistic shift open up a new creative space for you?
Hindi was my second language in school, so I am comfortable reading, writing, and speaking it, though it's not my mother tongue.
I do sometimes make small mistakes—usually with gender-based grammar—but communication was never an issue on set. As the legendary director K Vishwanath garu once told me, when emotions are universal, language is never a barrier.
Directing Abhishek sir in Hindi did open up a new creative space for me. We were all united in telling a story rooted in human emotion, so we were always in sync on that front. To ensure the dialogue felt authentic and true to the heartland, we had the support of wonderful writers like Amitosh Nagpal and Vibhuti Upadhyay, who brought a genuine flavor to the characters' words.
Ultimately, it was a collaborative effort, and language became just another tool to deepen the emotional resonance of the film.
Finally—what's one thing about Abhishek Bachchan as a performer that the world needs to appreciate more?
One thing the world should truly appreciate about Abhishek Bachchan is his remarkable versatility and the dedication he brings to every character. He consistently goes above and beyond to inhabit his roles, bringing depth and authenticity to each performance. His commitment and range as a performer deserve far more recognition.