Squid Game S3 set to premiere on June 27, teaser out

NETFLIX has confirmed that the highly anticipated third season of Squid Game will premiere on June 27.

- EXPRESS FEATURES

OULD you reflect on the bond you've shared with Mohanlal over the years?

I've known him since my advertising work in the early 2000s when I pitched several ideas to him for Byju's. He's someone who has been very aware and supportive of my profession. We collaborated on Byju's, and over time, our bond grew stronger. But with a long-term relationship, the journey is long—you end up spending several moments together, which deepens the connection. I believe he has a special place for me in his heart, and I'm grateful for that.

Even when directing, the nuances in my actors' subtle hand gestures, the twinkle in their eyes—those are things I've learned from observing him.

I'm admiring him from afar, sharing such a soulful relationship with him feels enriching. He's also deeply grounded and never speaks ill of anyone—something I've tried to emulate, the grace and goodness in an industry like ours. I've grown up with someone who has spent 25 years behind the camera—an ad filmmaker, so it felt like stepping into his shoes?

I'm extremely comfortable because I don't have to write dialogues (laughs). I stopped writing dialogues after the first few days because Tharun is a master of last-minute improvisation. You're ready with a scene, and he might ask you to deliver it differently just because of a new idea. After a few days, I realized that acting became so enjoyable that if Tharun told me I didn't have scenes that day, I'd feel sad! I've also learned so much from him. Now, when I'm on my own set, I notice how much my interaction with actors has changed a lot since Thudarum.

Your portrayal of the character has been met with positive responses; do you see yourself exploring acting seriously in the future alongside your work in advertising?