From a school debate to Jawan: Actor Manahar Kumar’s journey in films

Manahar Kumar, a BAFTA Newcomer and a student EMMY award-winning director-actor, talks about his journey in films

A familial passion for literature ignited Manahar Kumar’s journey into the world of acting. Growing up in an environment where reading was cherished, he developed an early love for classics. The family also fostered his extra-curricular activities. There was a particular debate in 2006 when he was in sixth grade, which he considers pivotal. 

“I don’t remember the exact topic. But we were discussing good and bad people. And, I said something like, ‘People themselves aren’t inherently good or bad; rather, it’s the thoughts we harbour and our subsequent actions that determine good and bad outcomes.’”

Manahar does not know, to date, where that answer came from. He, however, remembers the thunderous applause that followed. This incident set off a journey that has taken him from on-stage classics like The Night of January 16 to Amazon Prime’s Made In Heaven and the Shah Rukh Khan blockbuster Jawan. 

As Manahar, who studied at Manipal University, delved deeper into the acting world, his motivation transformed. Initially drawn by external validation, mainly the audience’s applause, he now sees a near-spiritual connection that transcends mere recognition. This, he says, serves as a guiding force in his career.

“As an actor, you become so immersed in portraying different characters that you lose your sense of self. The distinction between ‘Manahar,’ the ego I define, and the character I aim to embody blurs, giving rise to a magical fusion,” he says. He connects this with the debate answer, which arose from “an unknown source within.”

Reflecting on acting’s essence, Manahar dismantled the notion that acting is about deception during his undergraduate years. Over the years, he came to understand that acting is, in fact, “the epitome of truth.” It involves, he says, authentically portraying narratives without judgment, malice, or filters.

“Now, with the benefit of hindsight, I understand more than ever that acting is not about deception but, in fact, the epitome of truth. It’s about authentically portraying narratives on camera, on stage, and in the written word,” he explains.