Sumit Gahlawat Calls Working on The Kerala Story 2 His Most Evolved Collaboration with Vipul Amrutlal Shah

Mumbai: Sumit Gahlawat will be seen portraying one of the most layered characters of his career in The Kerala Story 2, for which he left no stone unturned in preparation. The recently released trailer has received an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences. Working again with filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah and director Kamakhya Narayan Singh, Sumit describes the experience as highly creative and collaborative. Having previously worked with Vipul Shah on The Kerala Story and Bastar, this marks their third partnership—but according to Sumit, it feels the most developed.

Recalling his first reading of the script, Sumit says he was immediately struck by the complexity of his character. He explains, “The moment I read the script, I realized this character was incredibly layered. With almost every scene, a new emotional and psychological depth unfolds. That progression drew me in the most. To do justice to the role, we had 12–13 long prep sessions, in which Vipul Shah personally participated despite his busy schedule. We had many detailed discussions, and what stood out was Vipul sir’s consistent involvement. No matter how packed his schedule was, he attended every session. That kind of dedication inspires you to elevate your own performance.”

Sumit adds that both Vipul Shah and Kamakhya Narayan Singh fostered a safe and open creative environment on set.

He says, “Since this was our third collaboration, there was already trust, but this time the comfort level was extraordinary. Vipul sir and Kamakhya sir gave us complete freedom to express our creative instincts. Many times, my suggestions even led to major changes in scenes.”

On the collaborative process, Sumit shares, “There were moments when I wanted to approach a scene from a completely different perspective. Vipul sir not only listened patiently but was also ready to reshape the scene entirely. Some sequences changed 360 degrees because of our discussions. He is incredibly sensitive and respectful towards the actor’s process.”

In The Kerala Story 2, Sumit plays ‘Salim’, a character whose journey transitions from hero to antagonist. The role demands both emotional depth and psychological precision. For Sumit, preparation meant fully immersing himself in the script.

“I’ve always believed that before stepping in front of the camera, it’s crucial to read the script multiple times. I must have read this one over 25 times. When a character undergoes such a transformation, you have to understand every nuance inside out,” he says.

With a strong character, intensive preparation, and the collaborative vision of Vipul Shah and Kamakhya Narayan Singh, Sumit Gahlawat’s portrayal of Salim in The Kerala Story 2 is poised to leave a lasting impact on audiences, while the trailer has already received widespread acclaim.