Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor: Vasan likes to improvise on set

A still from `Ray`

So rich and varied are Satyajit Ray's literary creations that it's difficult to determine the best of the lot. With 'Ray', Netflix India has revisited four short stories of the master filmmaker and storyteller that study complex human emotions of ego, betrayal, envy and revenge. Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor headlines 'Spotlight', one of the stories in the anthology series, which sees him as a star-actor who finds his popularity threatened from an unexpected quarter. While he admits to being bowled over by the quirky material, the actor adds that director Vasan Bala's spontaneity elevated the story further.

"Vasan likes to improvise on set. So, I was glad to be prepared. I was prepped to the point where I could do anything that he asked, which is why it became [a gratifying experience] for both of us," says Kapoor, adding that the director's appreciation for his craft on the first day of the shoot boosted his confidence. "It liberated me for the rest of the experience, and helped me take the leap."

Vasan Bala

The segment also features Radhika Madan and Chandan Roy Sanyal. Kapoor says that the 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' director shared his love for dark humour, making them a perfect fit for the story. "Vasan let me be myself [in front of the camera]. I remember, there was a scene where I couldn't stop laughing during the shot, and he simply asked me to keep going."

Also read: Ray: The teaser of this drama combines love, lust, betrayal and truth