Always someone to bring a special something to every role, Manav Kaul plays the eponymous lead in the intriguingly named Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper, which streams on Netflix today. The nine-episode series, created by Mirzapur man Puneet Krishna, focuses on Manav’s honest-to-a-fault middle-class family man living in Noida who is left with no choice but to become a male escort when things get rough financially. That gives rise to circumstances both tragic and comic, with Tribhuvan finding himself in one mess after another.
t2 chatted with Manav — who is also a filmmaker, author and playwright — about the series that boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Tillotama Shome and Shweta Basu Prasad.
What made you say ‘yes’ to Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper?
I watch a lot of films and series from around the world and I have always wondered why we don’t make such wacko, out-of-the-box content in India.
I remember reading the first two episodes of Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper and telling myself: ‘I can’t let go of this opportunity!’ I messaged the makers of the show multiple times requesting them to allow me to audition for the series. I just wanted one audition so that I could put myself out there and show that I could pull off such a role. We got on a Zoom call and then after that, Puneet (Krishna, the creator of the show) started watching quite a bit of my previous work. He was then convinced that I could do this and I am so grateful. This is such a brilliantly written show. I was lucky to get the part of Tribhuvan, but this is such a good series that I would have been okay playing any role in it.
Was there anything in particular about the character that immediately caught your attention?
Tribhuvan is a very middle-class, simple guy and I hail from a similar kind of background. I grew up in Hoshangabad (in Madhya Pradesh). I grew up in a hand-to-mouth atmosphere and there was always an element of desperation. For a middle-class person, more often than not, choosing between being honest to your job and caring about your family becomes very tough. When things become rough, one can go to any length to save these two. It is a universal story. This is reality but it brings so much entertainment to the show.
The story is about an honest man who gets caught up in a series of tough situations and then he takes a very bizarre route to earn money. The fallout of that decision makes the show a mad ride. I found it so amazing that Puneet thought about all this and wrote such an incredible series.
Even when he decides to become a male escort to tide over his financial crisis, the dignity and honesty in Tribhuvan remains intact. Did that also strike you?
Yes, because the character doesn’t change. He operates with honesty at home and in office and he brings in the same integrity to this new ‘profession’ that he has opted for. He is the kind of person who always wants to ensure that he is delivering worth. I think that is what makes Tribhuvan Mishra so endearing.
With Tillotama Shome in Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper
Some people may say: ‘What is he doing?! He is so wrong!’ But Tribhuvan is written in such a way that you can’t help but feel for him and the circumstances that he is in.
I was very empathetic towards Tribhuvan. I was also quite vulnerable in many scenes because I put myself in his skin. When humans fight for survival, they display primal strength but they are also in a state of vulnerability.
Despite his crazy circumstances, did you identify with his vulnerability?
Absolutely! There is no one in this world who doesn’t reach that level of desperation when he or she has to take the decision of whether to stick to one’s passion and what you believe in or to succumb to the world. We all lead multiple lives. There is an inner life, a shadow life and then there is the life we portray to the world.
Did you have any inhibitions about playing this man, especially in terms of the intimate scenes?
Not at all. If I like the story, if I like the people involved, I can surrender completely. In fact, I was more worried about whether I would be able to pull off some of the intense emotional scenes in this show.
Otherwise, everything else is very technical. Intimate scenes are shot with a lot of care and, anyway, there are so many people on set. It all becomes a job and comes down to being very technical.
What was it like working with such a strong and eclectic cast?
In all my projects, my co-actors have always been so good that I didn’t really need to act. In Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper, I wasn’t acting, I was just reacting. We have such wonderful actors like Faisal (Malik), Ashok (Pathak), Shubhra (Shubhrajyoti Barat), Tillotama (Shome), Naina Sareen.... Even in the smaller scenes, there are such brilliant actors that they elevate it beyond one’s expectations. Puneet has worked very hard on the casting.
What kind of mind space are you in right now as an actor, writer and filmmaker?
This is the kind of life that I had always wanted... one in which I could have the scope to do two-three things and not be limited to just one. I give a lot of time to my writing. When I travel, I read, I write. When I shoot, I read. I also direct plays. It is a good balance and I am really enjoying this time of my life.
You have always come across as someone who leads a simple life and doesn’t complicate things...
I like to keep it that way. I don’t even remember what problems I was going through two months ago. We are living in a world where nothing is permanent. I am talking to you now... for me, that is the best time of the day, nothing else matters. I live in the present. I like the fact that I have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow. That makes life more interesting.
You mentioned at the beginning of this conversation that you like watching content from all over the world. What did you like recently?
Monster (2023) was stunning and so was Close (2022). I also liked Ravish Kumar’s documentary While We Watched. In India, there are people who are doing magic as far as documentaries are concerned.
What’s next?
I want to open a tea shop in the mountains.