Ashutosh Gowariker returns to acting with Kaala Paani

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We saw the 1960 hit film, featuring Dev Anand, Madhubala and Nalini Jaywant. Another film with that title came in the 1980s, featuring Shashi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. Both were crime dramas that had nothing to do with ‘Kala Pani’ or the Cellular Jail used by the British in Andaman Islands in the pre-Indian Independence period. Yes, we had a Malayalam film, dubbed in Hindi as Sazaa-e-Kaala Paani in the 1990s whose story revolved around the jail.

And now we have a web series with a difference on Netflix, again with the Cellular Jail in the backdrop. The series marks filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker’s comeback to acting after decades—he had begun his career as an actor with films like Holi (1984) and CID, the TV series in the 1990s. Ashutosh, who made his filmmaking debut with Baazi (1993), is best known as the director of Lagaan (2001), Swades (2004) and Jodhaa Akbar (2008).

Beyond the sparkling blue waters and glistening golden sands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a story of survival is now set to unfold. Netflix has announced the release date of, Kaala Paani, wherein alliances stand to shift, and secrets are bound to unravel when survival is at stake.

Kaala Paani is all set to premiere on October 18. Helmed by Posham Pa Pictures, the series is directed by Sameer Saxena and Amit Golani and is written by Biswapati Sarkar, Amit Golani, Sandeep Saket and Nimisha Misra. Sameer Saxena is the showrunner.

Starring Mona Singh and Amey Wagh as well, Kaala Paani will have audiences embark on a journey through the salty seas and ocean breeze of the Andaman Nicobar Islands. But everything is not all smooth sailing on this island. Chaos ensues as social order crumbles, leaving its inhabitants trapped and isolated from the outside world. Will the choice that one makes through this pandemonium ensure one’s survival?

Talking about his association with the series, Ashutosh Gowariker said, “Kaala Paani is a world of its own and I’m really excited to be a part of an intriguing project like this. Sameer, Amit and Biswapati have created a series with a genre that will breathe new life into our audience’s viewing experience. I am hoping that audiences will be just as intrigued as I was and enjoy it as much as I did performing in it.”

Mona Singh added, “Kaala Paani is a show that will immerse you in a world where every moment, decision, and heartbeat holds the key to survival in an unforgiving environment. Participating in a project that keeps you perpetually on the edge is an absolute rush. With a groundbreaking plot supported by the creative minds of Sameer, Amit and the Netflix team, this show provided me with the opportunity to stretch my limits as an actor, resulting in an incredibly exhilarating journey.”

Kaala Paani features Sukant Goel, Vikas Kumar, Arushi Sharma, Radhika Mehrotra, Chinmay Mandlekar and Poornima Indrajith among others.

Posham Pa Pictures is a film production company formed by Amit Golani, Biswapati Sarkar, Sameer Saxena and Saurabh Khanna. The four of them combined are the directors-writers of popular shows like Pitchers, Permanent Roommates, Kota Factory, Yeh Meri Family, Tripling and others. They have also made a Netflix film, Jaadugar, and a Hotstar show, Home Shanti.