Before Manav Kaul was chosen to play the titular role in the new Netflix series *Tribhuvan Mishra: CA Topper*, he was eager to break away from the stereotype of theatre actors as being exclusively “intense.” Kaul, an accomplished author and a multifaceted talent in writing, directing, and acting in numerous plays, believes that there is a common misconception that theatre actors are always serious and only portray intense characters. “That’s not true. We have so much to offer,” says Kaul, who was drawn to this role as it allowed him to demonstrate his versatility as an actor.

The series, penned by Sumit Purohit and Puneet Krishna, not only cast Kaul as the lead character — an honest, middle-class family man who transforms into a sought-after figure of desire — but also provided him the opportunity to work with a talented ensemble, including Tillotama Shome. Set in Noida, the show follows Tribhuvan Mishra as he navigates financial difficulties by moonlighting as a sex worker. This new venture brings him into close contact with Bindi (played by Shome), the wife of a sweetmeat shop owner who also has ties to the underworld.

CA Topper Reflecting on her character, Tillotama Shome shares, “In Konkona Sensharma’s *The Mirror*, a segment in *Lust Stories 2* (2023), I felt my character underwent a coming-of-age arc. It was a narrative that resonated with women’s desires. Following that, being part of a show like *Tribhuvan Mishra*, where the female characters have agency and openly express their desires, felt like a step forward. We are no longer pretending to be children holding hands; we are grown-ups behaving in a manner that befits our age.” The series is directed by Krishna and Amrit Raj Gupta. CA Topper

When Tillotama Shome delved into the character of Bindi and her journey in the show, she was captivated by Bindi’s profound love for Bollywood and her deeply ingrained romantic ideals. “Bindi is almost enslaved to the idea of romance. She has this larger-than-life obsession with films. Playing this role felt like stepping into a fantasy world,” says Shome. “The character intrigued me deeply. As the wife of a gangster, she is constantly surrounded by violence, yet she can fall asleep amid extreme chaos. Her romantic delusions serve as her survival mechanism. How could one pass up the chance to portray such a character?” Shome, who also plays a key role in the recently released *Kota Factory 3* CA Topper

This series marks the first on-screen collaboration between two exceptional actors, Manav Kaul and Tillotama Shome, both celebrated for their nuanced portrayals. Kaul admitted he was “a bit nervous” and hoped Shome would enjoy working with him. On the other hand, Shome was concerned about her language skills. “The writing is beautiful. Puneet excels in Hindi and Urdu, and Manav also writes in Hindi. I was quite nervous that my Hindi might become a stumbling block on set. However, I received immense support from Manav and the other actors,” she shares.

During the shoot, Shome discovered that Manav Kaul is a talented dancer. “When he noticed that I was frozen with fear about the dance steps, he encouraged me to relax. It was wonderful to work with a co-actor who genuinely wanted me to succeed,” she recalls. Kaul, on the other hand, enjoyed the unexpected twists and humor the show offers. “The show is absolutely commercial and, at the same time, entertaining,” says Kaul, known for his roles in the 2017 movie *Tumhari Sulu* and the series *The Fame Game* (2022), among others. CA Topper

Regarding the intimate scenes in *Tribhuvan Mishra: CA Topper*, Shome initially requested a dedicated coordinator. However, she changed her mind after meeting with directors Krishna and Amrit Raj Gupta over dinner before filming began. They explained their approach to shooting the scenes and shared their storyboards with her. “They were genuinely concerned about my comfort. I realized it wasn’t necessary to have another person on set to negotiate and communicate my needs. I knew I could communicate directly with Puneet and Amrit,” she says.

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