Director Madhumita On Hindi Film Debut With Kaalidhar Laapata: 'Was Liberating To Experiment With New Audience' (EXCLUSIVE)

After earning acclaim for her Tamil film K.D., director Madhumita Sundararaman returned with Kaalidhar Laapata, a Hindi reimagining which starred Abhishek Bachchan in the lead role. In this interview, she opened up about why she revisited the story, the challenges of shifting languages, and why simplicity in cinema is resonating once again with the audience. 

Revealing why she revisited K.D. and decided to reimagine it as Kaalidhar Laapata, Madhumita shared, "K.D. is a story close to my heart, and its themes - loss, abandonment, friendship, and rediscovery, are universal. Revisiting it for the Hindi audience felt like a natural step to share this emotional journey with a wider audience. It was about honoring the original’s soul but allowing the story to breathe in a new language and setting."

Madhumita called Abhishek a 'perfect fit' for Kaalidhar's role. "Abhishek has a rare ability to embody strength and vulnerability simultaneously, which was essential for Kaalidhar’s character. When I narrated the story to him, his immediate resonance with the character’s emotional core convinced me he was the perfect fit. He brought authenticity and depth that elevated the role beyond what I had imagined," she said. 

On making her Hindi film debut, Madhumita said, "Shifting to Hindi cinema was both exciting and challenging. The language and cultural nuances required careful adaptation to maintain authenticity without losing the story’s essence. At the same time, it was liberating to experiment with a new audience and cinematic style. It pushed me to grow as a filmmaker- balancing respect for the original with fresh creative choices."

The makers did not promote the film at all before its release and Madhumita said the strategic move was absolutely right. "Kaalidhar Laapata isn’t a massive action spectacle filled with loud dhoom-dhamaka. It’s a simple, personal story. The producers chose to market it accordingly, allowing the film to speak for itself. So yes, the decision not to heavily promote before release was a deliberate, thoughtful strategy that suited the film’s intimate nature perfectly."

Opening up about what trends in Bollywood excite her the most, the filmmaker said, "I’m excited by the growing emphasis on content-driven cinema and the rise of diverse voices telling unique stories. The blending of genres and experimentation with narrative forms is refreshing. One fad I really hope we move past soon is this notion that audiences don’t have the patience to watch a film unless it’s overly 'pacy' with rapid cuts—like we have to rush through every scene before the emotion even has a chance to land. I believe that’s a misconception."

"Trusting the audience to engage deeply and allowing the story to unfold at its own natural rhythm is what makes filmmaking authentic and meaningful. Staying true to your storytelling, rather than chasing trends of speed and spectacle, is what creates lasting emotional impact. I hope we see a return to films that respect the audience’s intelligence and give emotions the space they deserve," Madhumita added.

At a time when films like Laapataa Ladies and 12th Fail are making quiet but powerful waves, Madhumita believes the audience’s appetite is evolving - not away from grandeur, but toward a better balance.

"There’s room for both. Just as we sometimes crave a sumptuous Italian meal and other times find comfort in a simple bowl of dal khichdi or curd rice, audiences enjoy both larger-than-life spectacles and heartfelt, slice-of-life dramas. There’s a unique joy in variety—grand, escapist films can be exhilarating, while simple, emotionally honest stories can touch us deeply and linger long after the credits roll. Much like our diverse food cravings, our cinematic tastes shift with our moods. I believe the beauty of cinema lies in this balance: the ability to celebrate both the extraordinary and the everyday, giving us space to be dazzled and to feel seen," she concluded.