Barun Sobti, who starred in the 2023 sleeper hit Kohrra, says he still considers himself “lucky” to have been offered the critically acclaimed series. The crime drama not only won praise from critics but
also struck a chord with audiences, cementing Barun’s position as one of the most compelling performers in the digital space. As he gears up for the release of Kohrra season 2 next month, the actor looks back at how unexpectedly the show entered his life.
Recalling his first reaction, Barun says, “I got very lucky when Kohrra came my way because I’m sure there are far more talented, far better actors than I am. In fact, I remember the first time when Sudip Sharma (creator) called me up, I was like, ‘why the hell are you calling me with such a great script’.”
He further credits the show’s creator for taking bold creative risks. “It was very audacious of Sudip to have written what he wrote for us to start with and then to cast the people like me and Suvinder Vicky sir, it was pretty audacious,” Barun adds. He also admits that the team did not anticipate the overwhelming response the show eventually received. “We actually didn’t think that it was going to do this well when we started out.”
‘I was just trying to make money, and I wasn’t happy’
Despite being widely appreciated for his acting skills, Barun’s filmography remains selective, with long gaps between projects. Asked how he manages the pressure to constantly stay visible, the actor says his choices today are rooted in personal resonance rather than numbers.
“I do the things that I can resonate with. I tried a couple of things where I was just trying to make money, and every time I went back home, I was not happy,” he admits candidly.
Barun reveals that it was his wife who became his grounding force during that phase. “I got a hot stick from my wife and she said, ‘Please do not take up anything that does not make you happy because you’re going to be grumpy when you get back home and that makes me grumpy.’” He adds that having a strong family support system has helped him stay aligned with his instincts. “So, I have a very strong family situation going on and now, I tend to depend on my own understanding of the script.”
Offering advice to aspiring artists, Barun stresses the importance of patience and self-belief. “If I was to give a word advice to anybody who was trying to make a niche in their own art, I’d say that you have to wait for the good things to happen, and when they do happen, you have to rise up to the occasion.”
