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Kunal Kemmu on being scared to put out the script for Madgaon Express: ‘Within this industry you walk on eggshells’

In a recent interview, Madgaon Express director Kunal Kemmu shared how he is still trying to reach a place where he can feel settled. He also shared how within this industry, one often walks on egg shells.

Kunal Kemmu opens up on being scared to put out the script for Madgaon Express. (Photo: Kunal Kemmu/Instagram)

By: Entertainment Desk
Mumbai | March 17, 2024 04:14 PM IST

3 min read

Actor-director Kunal Kemmu is gearing up for the release of his directorial debut, Madgaon Express. The film has also been written by him. During a promotional interview along with producer Farhan Akhtar, Kunal mentioned how the story for Madgaon Express stems from his liking for Dil Chahta Hai. The actor-director even spoke about how he was scared to put out the script for his upcoming movie, thinking that he would be perceived as an actor who was not getting work.

Talking about fearing judgments from the industry as he ventured into direction, Kemmu said, “As an artiste, I am somebody who was an actor, loved writing, and ended up being a director. Farhan has been that person way before me with no fear of being judged and that is what I love the most. Within this industry you are very scared, you walk on eggshells. I was scared to put out the script for Madgaon Express because I didn’t want them to feel like I was an actor who was not getting the work he wanted to do so now I want to branch out and do this.”

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Sharing his views on how strong a yardstick is box office success for him, the actor-director explained, “I have been a part of films that have gotten a lot of love but there have also been films that didn’t do well at the box office and it changed my perspective of at least being an actor then. In our case, you don’t get the opportunity to make that film again or do the work you want to do. For me, turning director, I was very aware and involved in the fact that if I have been given a certain amount of budget, I want to try and come under it. This way the film makes money right in the beginning. I don’t want this film to be one of those ‘that was nice, but the timing was wrong’ movies. Because your next chance is dependent on that.”

WATCH: Madgaon Express trailer: Debutant director Kunal Kemmu promises a hilarious misadventure

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Kunal also added, “I have grown up in this industry. I love this industry, but I am still trying to reach a place where I can feel settled, that kind of drives my hunger. I take it seriously for not just my creative satisfaction, but I want everybody who is putting money there to also feel it was worth the fun.”

Madgaon Express is Kuna Kemmul’s first project as a director. The film stars Avinash Tiwary, Pratik Gandhi, Divyenndu, and Nora Fatehi in the lead roles. Produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, the film is slated to release on March 22, 2024.