Nagesh Kukunoor Explores the Serial Killer Genre with 'Mrs Deshpande'

Introduction to 'Mrs Deshpande'

Nagesh Kukunoor ventures into the serial killer genre for the first time in his extensive career with the upcoming series, Mrs Deshpande. This Hindi adaptation of the French miniseries La Mante features Madhuri Dixit in a role that significantly contrasts her usual characters.

Release Date and Cast

Mrs Deshpande is set to premiere on JioHotstar on December 19, featuring a talented cast that includes Siddharth Chandekar and Priyanshu Chatterjee. Kukunoor shared insights on adapting the original series to fit an Indian context, collaborating with Dixit, and reflecting on a significant year that also includes his work on The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case.

Inspiration Behind the Adaptation

Kukunoor expressed his desire to explore new themes, stating, "I’m always looking to do something different. I don’t like to repeat myself." He had long been interested in crafting a serial killer narrative, and when approached by Applause Entertainment with La Mante, he recognized the potential for an Indian adaptation, particularly with a female serial killer at its center.

Creative Process and Tone

In reworking the source material alongside co-writer Rohit Banawlikar, Kukunoor aimed for a tonal shift from the original's dark atmosphere. He wanted Mrs Deshpande to be more upbeat and accessible, especially considering Madhuri Dixit's vast fan base. He noted, "If I kept it extremely dark, I’d alienate a chunk of that audience."

Casting Madhuri Dixit

Initially, Dixit was not attached to the project when Kukunoor and Banawlikar began writing. They envisioned the character inspired by the glamorous French actress Carole Bouquet. Once they thought of Madhuri, they tailored the script to suit her strengths, believing her casting would be a significant achievement.

Dixit's Involvement

Kukunoor and Sameer Nair from Applause Entertainment pitched the project to Dixit, who is a fan of crime thrillers. Their shared enthusiasm for shows like Dexter and Mare of Easttown helped establish a connection. Although she was intrigued, her commitment was solidified only after reading the scripts.

Developing Female Characters

Kukunoor has a history of creating strong female characters, and he noted that the streaming boom has allowed for more nuanced portrayals. He felt no pressure to prove anything with Mrs Deshpande, instead focusing on the character as they envisioned her.

Balancing Star Power and Tone

Kukunoor described the initial collaboration with Dixit as a period of exploration, where they worked together to find the right tone for the character. He emphasized that the true essence of the character would emerge during filming rather than in rehearsals.

Reflections on a Busy Year

Reflecting on a busy year that included The Hunt and Paatal Lok 2, Kukunoor expressed a desire to return to feature films. He noted that after shooting extensive content for streaming, a shorter feature film now seems manageable.

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Kukunoor aims to create an indie film with a small crew, returning to his roots. He hopes to write and shoot it early next year while continuing to pitch new scripts. He remains committed to exploring various genres, including horror and action.

The Changing Landscape of Streaming

Kukunoor commented on the evolving dynamics of streaming platforms, noting that the initial phase of creative freedom is waning. He acknowledged that many projects that thrived in the past may not be greenlit now, but he remains adaptable, ready to find new opportunities in the industry.