Sudip Sharma, the creator of the popular Netflix series Paatal Lok and the recently released Kohrra, is known for his exploration of the dark side of humanity. In an interview, Sudip Sharma talks about his fascination with violence and how it is portrayed in his work.
Despite his screen offerings, Sudip Sharma confesses to being a non-violent person. He explains that it takes a calm mind to understand the complex subject of violence, its roots, and its different manifestations. He believes that we all carry darkness within us, as individuals, families, and societies, and finds it fascinating to explore this aspect.
Kohrra, his latest creation, tells the story of two cops investigating the murder of an NRI groom in Punjab. While it may appear to be a thriller, in reality, it delves into themes of love and generational violence. Sudip Sharma reveals that love was the genesis of the show. Inspired by Charles Bukowski’s poem Love is a dog from hell, he and his team wanted to explore relationships and how love can either uplift or crush our souls.
When it came to casting, Sudip Sharma knew he wanted to work with actor Suvinder Vicky, who had left a lasting impression on him with his previous performances in Udta Punjab and Paatal Lok. Vicky had only appeared in a single scene in the latter, but it was enough for Sharma to recognize his talent. For Kohrra, Sharma believed Vicky was the perfect choice for the character of Balbir Singh. He praised Vicky’s breakthrough work in films like CAT and Meel Patthar, which had not been released at the time of their collaboration.
While Kohrra has received widespread acclaim, Sudip Sharma has already moved on to the second season of Paatal Lok, set to be released next year. He admits that he has shifted his focus from theatrical offerings to long-format stories, as he believes that films that interested him are no longer being made. He laments the fact that filmmakers are pressured to create entertaining and universally understood films, which often leads to the dumbing down of their content. Sharma believes that the industry wants him to write the kind of films that are currently being made, but as he doesn’t even watch those films, he refuses to make them.
Sudip Sharma’s perspective offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by filmmakers in today’s industry, as well as the creative decisions they make in pursuit of their artistic vision. As he continues to explore complex and thought-provoking subjects through his work, audiences can eagerly anticipate his future projects.
