'Single Papa': Why Aisha Ahmed signed Kunal Kemmu's Netflix show
What's the story
Aisha Ahmed, who plays Dr. Shreya in Netflix's Single Papa, recently spoke about her role and working with Kunal Kemmu. She revealed that she said yes to the project without reading the script because of the people involved. "I genuinely have been a fan of everyone's work... And when I heard Kunal was on board, it was like the cherry on top," she told India Today.
Character insights
Ahmed's character in 'Single Papa' and her experience on set
Ahmed later discovered that Dr. Shreya was a fully fleshed-out character, not just a plot device. "When I started reading, I realized it's a brief part...but she has her own identity. She's not a crutch to move the story forward," she explained. She was also impressed by how the character was treated on set, saying it made her "very confident and very grateful."
Acting lessons
Ahmed learned from Kemmu's preparation and spontaneity
Ahmed was pleasantly surprised by Kemmu's preparation. "I thought he would be extremely spontaneous and I wouldn't know how to respond." "But what I learned is that Kunal is an incredibly prepared actor. He doesn't just show up and wing it." "I'd see him working on scenes before we went on floor, discussing things with the director, and involving me in the process."
Director's influence
Director Shashank Khaitan's role in 'Single Papa'
Ahmed also praised director Shashank Khaitan, calling him the glue of the series. "What amazed me was how he managed three directors himself, Neeraj (Udhwani) and Hitesh (Kewalya), without it ever feeling disjointed." She asked the team how they pulled it off, and they credited Khaitan for ensuring everything stayed on the same line. Meanwhile, Single Papa also stars Prajakta Koli, Manoj Pahwa, Ayesha Raza, and Neha Dhupia.