Actor and writer Manav Kaul, known for his layered and nuanced performances, is all set to play DSP Ridhwan in the upcoming web series ‘Baramulla’. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, Kaul opened up about his intriguing character, his deep connection with Kashmir, and why he continues to gravitate toward performance-driven roles.
“DSP Ridhwan is a layered, never-seen-before character for me”
So, tell us something about your character and how it develops. The charcter’s backstory is also connected to a local incidentI’m playing DSP Ridhwan, and as the story begins with an investigation, it slowly moves into a completely different zone, one that’s thrilling, spooky, and even borders on horror. There are multiple layers to it, and it’s not easy to categorize. I feel this is one of the most complex roles I’ve taken on, and I haven’t done anything like this before. That’s what excites me the most.
Manav Kaul on characters he played
You’re known for taking up roles that are character-driven and you always keep a low profile. Is that a conscious choice?Not really. It’s just the kind of roles that come my way. We actors are receivers, we don’t go around saying, “Hey, I want to do something that’ll make me a star.” It doesn’t work like that. I do theatre; so does my co-actor. Apart from that, I play tennis, I swim, I do other things too. So, it’s not like I make a deliberate choice, life brings me certain opportunities, and from those, I pick what feels right.
Manav Kaul speaks on Kashmir’s winter and beauty
You’re originally from Baramulla. Did that make this project more personal? Have you ever witnessed anything like the story in real life?Manav Kaul: No, nothing like that has happened in real life. But yes, I personally love Kashmir’s winters, I love snow. We’ve shot this series during winter, and that added a unique tone to the story. The grey, spooky colour palette, the atmosphere when it snows, it’s visually stunning. This story is set in that season, which is something we rarely see in films. The way Baramulla captures Kashmir is incredibly beautiful. Even for me, it felt like rediscovering the valley through a new lens.
Baramulla shows Kashmir in a light we’ve rarely seen before
With ‘Baramulla’, Manav Kaul steps into a world that blends mystery, emotion, and an authentic portrayal of Kashmir. For an actor who thrives on depth and introspection, DSP Ridhwan might just be another memorable addition to Kaul’s impressive repertoire.’Baramulla’ is all set to release on Netflix on November 7 and the trailer has been released today, October 30, 2025. Go to Source
