News

Following the rollout of Chumbak Part 2 on Netflix on October 1, actress Sandeepa Dhar shared insights into what convinced her to sign on to the multi-ensemble comedy-drama.

Playing the grounded flight attendant Kiran Kejriwal opposite Sumeet Raghavan (Dharmendra Kejriwal) in the series, Dhar revealed that creator-director Aatish Kapadia (Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Khichdi) delivered a theatrical, full-bodied narration that led her to accept the project before even finding out which character she would play.

Dhar recalled that when casting director Jogi Mallang initially reached out to her, she was shooting an emotionally demanding drama (Do Deewane Seher Mein) and was skeptical about whether she was in the right headspace to test for a full-fledged situational comedy.

However, her hesitation disappeared once Kapadia stepped in to walk her through the world of Chumbak:“The real turning point came when Aatish narrated the show to me. He didn’t simply describe the characters—he performed each one of them. He switched between characters, accents, and body language right there in the room while narrating the story.

For me, it was unlike any narration I had ever experienced before. I read half the narration and I told him, 'Listen, I'm doing it. I don't even need to know which character you're offering me.'”

While the finished series has a breezy, improvised feel, Dhar noted that Kapadia’s comedic school requires strict discipline and adherence to the script:

The Strict Dialogue Meter: Unlike conventional comedy projects where actors alter phrasing to suit their cadence, Kapadia writes in a distinct rhythmic meter.

“When Aatish writes a dialogue, you have to say it exactly the way it is written, word for word, otherwise the joke may not land. Each line has a specific reason. Usually, you take a line and make it your own, but you cannot do that on an Aatish Kapadia set. Sticking strictly to the words was my biggest adjustment.”

Playing It Straight: Dhar pointed out that despite the chaotic eccentricities of the household, she and Sumeet Raghavan approached the Kejriwal couple as the only relatively sane anchors in the apartment complex, noting that treating absurd situations with complete seriousness makes the comedy land harder.

Reflecting on sharing screen space with veterans like Neena Gupta, Deven Bhojani, and Delnaaz Irani, Dhar noted that the set was filled with mutual respect, great food, and nonstop laughter.

Aatish Kapadia’s comedic legacy—built over two decades across landmark television sitcoms—has always relied on fully realized, eccentric characters. Sandeepa Dhar’s account illustrates how a writer-director's ability to embody their own material in the casting room remains one of the most effective ways to secure top talent for ensemble-driven shows.