Bridge Across Forever

Manav Kaul on his desire to be surprised at every turn

Kaul’s directorial next Tathagat is on a monk who wants to return to the world he renounced.

Manav Kaul can slip into roles that may not be central, but manages to leave a mark on the audience. Unassuming, grounded and one who would rather melt into the background than attract much attention, Kaul has straddled many mediums, moving from theatre to cinema and from acting to direction. He is now behind the camera for his second directorial venture, Tathagat. It was part of the National Film Development Corporation’s (NFDC) Work-in-Progress Lab at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2014, where it garnered rave reviews.

Kaul resisted the temptation to sign a flurry of films after Kai Po Che (2013) and City Lights (2014). “I don’t want to do too many films, only those I really want to be a part of. If you give me three scenes I will still shine in them because that’s how I am. I guess it comes from being a sportsman and a swimmer; I know I have to perform,” says. the 37-year-old, who has signed Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Vazir.

Tathagat is the story of a monk, who has renounced the world but wants to return. “I got this idea while directing a play at Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, which was about the lives of saints and what makes them opt for a life of loneliness, like Buddha did. Tathagat is also one of the names of Buddha. I lived in McLeod Ganj for a month and met many monks and realised each of them had a story to tell. I wanted to explore the emotion of guilt.

What happens when one wants to come back to the world left behind?” he says.

His first venture Hansa (2012) was an extension of the way he did theatre, without any funds or backing. “I have improvised with Tathagat though I am far from what I want to be as a director. I am still struggling with the craft. Perhaps my third will be better than both of these. I want to create poetry through my films,” he says, wistfully.

Incidentally, unlike most other filmmakers at IFFI, Kaul has not pitched his film for funding. “For me, what I am doing is like a game and one that I am enjoying thoroughly. Sometimes you succeed and sometimes you don’t. So how can I ask anyone to put their money on my personal journey? I would rather burn my own,” says Kaul.

He admits this makes it difficult to survive in an industry driven by money and multi-crore films, but he would not have it any other way. “That is why I also stay a bit away from the industry and am careful not to become an integral part of it,” says the small-town boy from Hoshangbad, Madhya Pradesh. “I am very shy. I don’t know how to approach people, I feel I am intruding on their privacy. I still don’t know what I am doing here at IFFI. But someday perhaps, I will be this cool Mumbaikar,” he says.

Story continues below this ad

So has the man who has shifted from one medium to another finally found his calling in cinema? “I don’t know. I may just do something different; I have always wanted to run a chai shop,” he says.

Sunanda Mehta

Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry. Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune. Professional Background Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city. Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author. Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023) Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024) Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues. Core Column: "Against All Odds" Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges. Recent notable articles (2025) The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic. Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer. Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape: 1. Personal Narratives & Closure "'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal. "A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US. "'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune. 2. Civic & Heritage "'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs. "'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties. 3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations "Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals. "Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation. Signature Style Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan. She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements. X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram