Under their banner Sphereorigins, Comall and Sunjoy Waddhwa are all set to bring an espionage thriller with their latest venture, Salakaar. Featuring Naveen Kasturia and Mouni Roy, it will premiere on JioHotstar on August 8. The series is directed by Faruk Kabir. Discussing the cast of the spy thriller: “They were just the right fit. Naveen’s simplicity truly stood out for the character. Heroism can come from ordinary backgrounds. Unlike a sauve and glamourous archetypes like Bond, our hero has an understated presence. A simple relatable character with exceptional skills who blends into any environment without drawing attention to themselves.The focus was on character’s unique skills and strategies rather than charm and style. And Naveen is an ideal fit for that role with that understated presence,” they said. “Mouni has a challenging role that steps outside the characters she has portrayed in the past. When the story was narrated by the director, she was keen to take on this challenge of playing a character with different facets.
With remarkable adaptability under pressure and sharp skills, the character tackles unexpected challenges and figures out how to navigate through tough situations, highlighting the strength of female spies,” they added. Salakaar is rooted in cinematic structure, both visually and narratively, and Sunjoy mentioned that they have tried to show two timelines both literally and figuratively. He said, “The series conveys its story across different timeframes so the complexities of two timelines is quite a creative challenge. Much of the story unfolds in the 70s timeline, so we’ve focused on capturing the authenticity and realism of that era. The effort was to portray the historical aspects exactly as they would have appeared at that time.” “To enhance the narrative and capture the authenticity of the story, we shot in real locations including Ladakh, Lucknow and other various places in North India. The majestic mountains, picturesque valleys and terrains of Ladakh not only added depth to the series but also highlighted the contrasts between the two timelines. Lucknow is known for its grand locations and rich architecture, creating an authentic atmosphere that transports you to a different era. By choosing such locations with the backdrop of espionage, the series anchors the story in time and place,” he added.
In the OTT space, Waddhwas, with their team at Sphereorigins, have done a lot of thrillers. Comall said, “With Salakaar, you can say that we’re exploring sub-genres within a broader genre, and each one has its unique vibe and storytelling style. Your Honor is a thrilling crime series that packs in plenty of suspense and drama. The gripping storyline keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. It’s unique tone and setting makes it stand out from other thrillers. Next up was Dark 7 White, a political thriller that unfolds a captivating tale filled with intrigue, power struggles, and deception in the complicated world of politics. Then there’s Ranneeti, which dives into the military thriller genre. It’s set against a backdrop of complex geopolitical tensions, showcasing high-stakes military operations, strategic planning, and the emotional struggles faced by those on the frontlines.” But that doesn’t mean they have stepped away from the world of emotions and intense drama; rather, he emphasized that storytelling on streaming platforms is approached differently. They said, “Emotional depth can coexist with thrilling or action-packed storytelling. You are attuned as a maker and have the flexibility to explore different styles for both OTT and television. Digital platforms provide a wide array of storytelling options, though many of these are not available on GEC. Our endeavours as producers is to explore various genres and formats. You may say it’s similar to an actor working on multiple projects—one action, another thriller, and yet another emotional drama. So it’s really important to find ways and adjust to the expectations of audiences across various platforms.”
