Aneet Padda’s rise following the success of Saiyaara has brought renewed attention to one of her earlier projects, Hunkkaar: The Roar.
The courtroom drama, directed by Nitya Mehra and Karan Kapadia, is set to stream on JioHotstar from September 25. Ahead of its release, the filmmakers have opened up about casting Aneet in the lead role and explained why they were convinced she could handle the emotional demands of the character.
The directors had previously worked with Aneet on a short film and were impressed by the raw quality of her performance.
Hunkkaar Directors Had Aneet Padda in Mind Early On
Karan Kapadia revealed that he and Nitya Mehra had worked with Aneet before Big Girls Don’t Cry. That earlier collaboration gave them an opportunity to observe her acting ability closely.
According to Karan, the filmmakers were already considering Aneet for Hunkkaar because they believed she possessed the emotional depth required for the role.
“We did a short film with Aneet before Big Girls Don’t Cry. That’s when we passed her for Hunkkaar.”
Karan explained that while Aneet’s acting had always contained a certain rawness, the creative team wanted to help her develop that quality further for the courtroom drama.
‘We Were Very Sure That We Wanted Aneet on Board’
The role required an actor capable of portraying vulnerability while also communicating the strength of a character determined to speak about her experience.
Karan said the filmmakers believed Aneet could carry the seriousness and emotional weight of the story.
“We, as creators, were very sure that we wanted Aneet on board because we felt she has it in her to carry the gravitas to portray what had happened to the character and also the vulnerability and also have the strength to speak the truth.”
He added that the team provided her with the necessary support during the process.
Karan also described Aneet as an actor who immerses herself deeply in the circumstances of her characters.
“Very method-like she gets into the shoes of character and the situation she finds herself in.”
Nitya Mehra Highlights Actor-Director Comfort
Nitya Mehra, who previously worked with Aneet on Big Girls Don’t Cry, also emphasized the importance of the relationship between an actor and a director.
For emotionally demanding material, filmmakers need performers to feel sufficiently comfortable to explore difficult moments and make creative choices without holding back.
The directors’ previous experience with Aneet therefore became an important part of their decision to bring her into Hunkkaar.
Their familiarity with her working style allowed them to build on what they had already discovered about her as an actor.
What Is Hunkkaar About?
Hunkkaar: The Roar is presented as an intense courtroom drama centered on justice, power and courage.
Aneet Padda plays a character who takes a stand against a powerful spiritual leader after an alleged incident of sexual misconduct. The story follows the legal battle that develops around her decision to seek justice.
The character is not simply positioned as someone affected by the events; the narrative focuses on her decision to confront a powerful figure and pursue the truth through the legal system.
The series also explores the imbalance of power between individuals and influential figures.
Fatima Sana Shaikh Plays the Investigating Officer
Fatima Sana Shaikh plays a police officer involved in investigating the case brought forward by Aneet’s character.
The cast also includes Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub and Arjun Mathur in important roles.
Together, the ensemble forms the central cast of a series that combines courtroom proceedings with an investigation into allegations involving a powerful spiritual figure.
Priyanka Chopra’s Purple Pebble Pictures Backs Hunkkaar
The series is backed by Purple Pebble Pictures, the production company associated with Priyanka Chopra, and is produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment.
The project was reportedly filmed after Big Girls Don’t Cry. However, Aneet’s subsequent success in Saiyaara has brought considerably more attention to Hunkkaar ahead of its streaming debut.
Her performance in Saiyaara significantly raised her profile, making the upcoming courtroom drama one of the projects audiences are now watching more closely.
Aneet Padda Takes on a Very Different Role
The attention surrounding Hunkkaar also gives viewers an opportunity to see Aneet Padda in a dramatically different setting from her recent mainstream success.
While Saiyaara introduced her to a much wider audience, Hunkkaar places her at the center of a serious story dealing with justice, power and the consequences of speaking out.
For directors Nitya Mehra and Karan Kapadia, however, Aneet’s casting was not a decision made after her recent rise to fame. Their confidence in her reportedly began much earlier, based on their previous experience working with her.
As Hunkkaar: The Roar arrives on JioHotstar, the courtroom drama will offer audiences a closer look at the performance that its directors believed Aneet Padda was capable of delivering long before Saiyaara changed the trajectory of her career.
