Filmmaking is often a balance between art and commerce, but for director Aditya Kripalani, the scales always tip toward the soul. Known for his raw, human-centric storytelling, Kripalani is back with his latest project, Main Actor Nahi Hoon, set to release in India on May 8. The film, which connects Mumbai and Frankfurt via a video call, explores the deep isolation of the digital age.

In an exclusive chat with us, Kripalani opened up about the technical hurdles of shooting across continents and the dream come true experience of collaborating with a powerhouse like Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

One of the biggest highlights of the project is the involvement of Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Kripalani revealed that the film was originally titled Impulse but changed once the actor came on board. Interestingly, Nawazuddin’s dedication to the craft went beyond the camera.

Kripalani shared, “He was an absolute professional. He even bought his own ticket to reach Frankfurt, all by himself. He didn’t come with his manager.” Perhaps the most important validation for him was the fact that Nawazuddin did not charge a fee for the film.

Kripalani said, “Him not charging a fee is a big thing—really big. In India, there is always that pressure of ‘how much are you earning?’ When someone like Nawaz doesn’t charge money, you can actually turn around and say, ‘This is my earning.’ It’s one of the high points of my career.”

Real Pain and Real Locations

While Nawazuddin brings his seasoned brilliance, Chitrangada Satarupa delivers a performance rooted in deep personal truth. Kripalani mentioned that while the script was pre-written, Chitrangada imbued her character, Mouni, with her own frustrations and experiences in the industry. He recalled, “There is a scene on the terrace where she speaks of her childhood—she surprised me a lot there.” 

The film’s shoot was as unconventional as its story. To capture a scene where the characters talk while traveling, the actors simultaneously rode a Mumbai local and a Frankfurt tram.

The director explained, “We did about 22 takes over two days for an 18-minute scene. They had to start from the same stations each time because the network would drop beyond certain points. In Mumbai, it was Jogeshwari to Mahim, and in Frankfurt, Messe to Hauptbahnhof.” 

Seeking Purity

For Kripalani, moving from advertising to indie films was a quest for honesty. He described the mainstream film world as disillusioning due to the heavy focus on business over art.

“Indie cinema has been a good space where I could hold on to creative purity,” he says, adding that he hopes to eventually explore theatre and return to writing novels, much like the multifaceted Manav Kaul.

As Main Actor Nahi Hoon prepares for its Indian premiere after a successful international festival run, Kripalani is eager to see the local reaction. He concluded saying, “The detailing of the characters is rooted in Bombay and the experience of being an Indian Muslim in Frankfurt. That specificity makes a big difference.” 

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Netizens asked him several questions, from his preparation for his role, to his bond with Ranveer Singh and more.

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