Mumbai, Feb 25 (.) As the second instalment of Kohrra keeps on receiving applause for its tight storyline and emotionally exacting performances, lead actor Barun Sobti couldn’t keep himself from acknowledging the fact that the web series has been able to showcase cops and Punjab as authentically as possible.
Frontlined by Sobti and Mona Singh, and created by Sudip Sharma, the Netflix crime drama continues to dominate cultural discourse.
Sobti, who plays police officer Amarpal Garundi, told Variety India he believes the series stands out because it refuses to romanticise Punjab, instead presenting a complex and emotionally charged reality.
“For me, this is the first time I’ve seen a show set in Punjab that doesn’t glorify the state. It reveals hidden secrets, truths, lies, and an emotionally charged Punjab,” he said.
A key strength of Kohrra lies in its portrayal of police officers as real people rather than heroic stereotypes. Instead of presenting a polished or picturesque version of the Punjab, the series delves into its emotional and social complexities, exposing hidden tensions, unspoken truths and fragile relationships.
Later in the conversation, Sobti also discussed his use of silence as Garundi and how Sudip Sharma gave him the freedom to improvise. “Playing Garundi gave me a lot of freedom. At one point, Sudip always had his headphones on, and sometimes things just come naturally. When you’re playing a character like Garundi, you can’t be overly civil. I improvised something once, and the person rehearsing with me said, ‘Nahi, likha nahi hai (it’s not written),’ but Sudip shouted, ‘Let it flow,’” Sobti recalled.
According to him, the freedom to perform and go with the flow was incredible. And everything he did was appreciated. For years, he longed for this kind of work, where directors won’t try to control unnecessarily. . . .