Anup Soni: Show reminds people to be kind to others

Pic/Instagram

India is a land where there is an audience for every medium, believes Anup Soni. It is with this idea that the actor, armed with years of experience in theatre, television, and movies, has forayed into the audio medium. He is set to host The Unsung Heroes for Audible, a podcast that offers 20 real-life stories of hope, empathy and acts of kindness. Soni gives us a lowdown on how he fine-tuned his skills to suit the new medium, and how the podcast made him a "better human being".

Edited excerpts from the interview.

After being part of the visual medium, did you have inhibitions about trying your hand at an audio series?
When theatre is your foundation, all the mediums can easily be fine-tuned. The only difference between the two mediums is that in audio, you have to be more expressive with your voice because your face is not seen. Everything has to be conveyed through your voice. So, your sound has to have that impact. I don't want to boast about it, but so many years of experience prepared me for this. It's like changing the radio station by a meter to get the right sound.

Do you think there is an audience for audio series when the OTT boom has everyone glued to their screens?
In India, there is space for everything. When television came, [everyone believed] that radio was [dying]. Then, private FM channels came in, and people were glued to them. Our population is so huge that we have the space to accommodate everything. People stuck in traffic completely depend on the radio. A lot of FM channels also have short stories now. If I want to know about someone, and there is an audiobook about the person, I will gladly tune in.

Have you listened to anything recently?
While listening to my own podcast, I explored a lot of new things [in the audio space] - from books, motivational talks, to thrillers, and songs. I lean more towards autobiographies and inspiring stories. That is why my first podcast is all about inspiring stories. When I got the offer from close friend and producer Monisha Singh Katial, I was excited.

After Crime Patrol, you're a narrator on The Unsung Heroes.
A sutradhaar is the thread that connects the story and the audience. The anchor plays an important role in making the audience believe in his stories. The Unsung Heroes is inspired by situations around us. The purpose of this show is to inspire people. We've often heard that people have become selfish, we don't care about one another, and that there is a lot of apathy. These stories will inspire people to do good, even in the smallest way possible.

How was it different from doing Crime Patrol?
One of the stories is about how a policeman helps a lost girl reunite with her family. Another story revolves around a guy who is confused about his sexuality at a young age, and how society treats a boy who has effeminate traits. Today, the person has transformed as per his orientation, and she is now a successful person. This show is more emotional, while Crime Patrol's aim was to make people aware of the dangers around them. This show reminds people to be kind to others. I believe this podcast has made me a better human being.