After a box-office success with Raid 2 earlier this year, Vaani Kapoor is all set to explore new territory with her first-ever web series, Mandala Murders. While the shift to OTT makes her nervous, the actor is equally thrilled about the opportunity to dive deeper into her character in the long-format space.
Long format allows actors to dig deeper, says Vaani
Talking about her digital debut, Vaani shares that the web format gives her more space to fully shape and explore her character. “In films, we get only two to three hours to build and show the full arc of a character. But web series give actors room to add layers, emotions, and depth. That’s something I was very intrigued by,” she explains.
In Mandala Murders, Vaani plays a detective—a role often seen as strong and stoic. But she wanted to take a different approach.
Bringing strength with vulnerability to her role
While inspired by iconic performances in thrillers like Mardaani, Vaani reveals she wanted her character to feel more real and emotionally layered. “I didn’t want her to be just a tough officer. I wanted to show her inner battles too—her rawness, her vulnerability. Women are fighters in real life too, not just on screen,” she says.
Speaks out on Abir Gulaal ban
The actor also addressed the controversy surrounding Abir Gulaal, a film that marked Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood but was banned in India following the April Pahalgam terror attack. This is the first time Vaani has spoken publicly about the issue.
“I don’t think anyone wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings. The film was made with love, not hate,” she clarifies. “It was shot a long time before the attack, with all the right permissions in place. But once the incident happened, we all understood the nation’s emotions and chose to respect them. Nobody went against the law or tried to provoke anything. The producers and the team put the country’s sentiment first.”
With Mandala Murders, Vaani Kapoor marks a new chapter in her career, proving she’s ready to take on bold, layered roles across platforms—be it the big screen or streaming.
