Vaani Kapoor Reflects on Faith and Roles in Netflix’s ‘Mandala Murders’

Vaani Kapoor, known for her dynamic performances, is currently captivating audiences in the Netflix series Mandala Murders. The thriller-drama explores profound themes of belief systems and personal faith, prompting Kapoor to engage in a deep reflection of her own values. In a recent interview with OTTplay, she shared insights into how her character has influenced her thoughts on faith and self-discovery.

Kapoor portrays Rea Thomas in the series, a role that challenges her to consider her own boundaries regarding faith. She expressed, “Would you do this? Would you do that? How? Where would your faith lead you to, or your beliefs?” She emphasized the importance of maintaining an open mind and allowing room for exploration, stating, “You shouldn’t box yourself and say, ‘What I believe in…’ It’s very important to have a little room for discovery.”

Breaking Away from Typecasting

The actress conveyed that Mandala Murders distinguishes itself from her previous roles. Kapoor reflected on how she has often been confined to specific archetypes. After her performance in Shuddh Desi Romance, where she played a girl from Jaipur, she received numerous offers for similar characters—typically small-town girls with rebellious traits. “I just did this role. Again, the same role? Why would one want to see me again in the same thing?” she questioned.

She felt a sense of relief when Befikre presented her with an opportunity to portray a character with a different perspective. Nevertheless, this shift led to a new form of typecasting, as she noted, “After that film, I only got bold roles, only sexy, bold glamor roles.” Despite these challenges, Kapoor has consistently sought realism and depth in her performances, as demonstrated in films like War and Raid 2.

Kapoor clarified that her choices have always been driven by intention rather than trends. She stated, “Am I looking to do the exact same thing, make quick bucks by doing a couple of similar projects, and be out and done with my career… or am I really here in it for the long haul?” Her passion for cinema remains strong, reinforcing her commitment to her craft. “I genuinely love cinema, and I want to be here… I’ve never played it safe. At least that’s been my intention.”

Changing Perceptions in the Industry

Addressing a common misconception, Kapoor pointed out that Mandala Murders is not her first de-glam role. “Actually, I’ve been de-glammed in my first film too… Even Raid 2 was not glamorous,” she explained. Nevertheless, she expressed satisfaction that audiences are beginning to see her in a new light. “It’s nice. It’s refreshing for the audience… which also keeps audiences’ anticipation on a high.”

The series, which also stars Surveen Chawla, continues to engage viewers with its complex narrative and character development. Kapoor’s reflections on faith and her evolving career serve as a reminder of the importance of authenticity in the entertainment industry, providing a fresh perspective for both her and her audience.