Kajol, the talented actor, is all set to make her series debut with “The Trial – Pyaar, Kanoon, Dhoka”. In an interview, Kajol expressed that her creative decisions are driven by the story rather than the medium.
The 48-year-old actor has two consecutive releases on OTT platforms. First, she will be seen in the Disney+ Hotstar series “The Trial – Pyaar, Kanoon, Dhoka” on July 12, followed by the second edition of Netflix’s acclaimed film anthology “Lust Stories” on June 29. Kajol, who made her OTT debut in 2021 with the Netflix film “Tribhanga”, emphasized her desire to collaborate with “good people” regardless of whether it’s for films or streaming platforms.
“I have always believed that when I work, I should do something that I enjoy the most, work with good people, and let the script be the true star. Whether it’s for an OTT platform or a film, for me, a role is a role,” said Kajol during the trailer launch of “The Trial…”
Directed by Suparn S Varma, “The Trial – Pyaar, Kanoon, Dhoka” is the Indian adaptation of the popular American legal TV drama “The Good Wife”. The story revolves around a woman who resumes her career as a lawyer after her husband, a former state’s attorney, gets imprisoned due to a sex and corruption scandal.
When Kajol was offered the Hindi adaptation of this critically acclaimed drama, she was intrigued to see how it would be tailored for Indian audiences.
“The original show was something I loved. The character was amazing, and the concept was fabulous. But I did wonder how it would be adapted in Hindi. That’s when Suparn came in, narrated the script, and answered my questions. For me, it’s all about the script. The script isn’t just about one character; it’s about every character. And in this series, every character is well-rounded and well-written. I fell in love with the script. My script is my king,” she explained.
Varma, known for directing “The Family Man” season 2 starring Manoj Bajpayee, mentioned that the Indian adaptation differs significantly from the original CBS series to suit the cultural landscape of India. The team made a conscious decision to give the Hindi remake a distinct title as well.
“We had the luxury of watching the entire seasons, which allowed us to develop character arcs and add more depth. The show is different too; the cases in the series reflect what’s happening in society today, making it more contemporary,” Varma shared.
Kajol plays the character of Noyonika Sengupta, a housewife compelled to return to her legal profession after her husband’s scandalous actions land him in jail. She described her character as complex and evolved, believing that many women will be able to relate to her.
The actor also expressed her enthusiasm for diving deep into a character through a web series format, appreciating the opportunity to explore the character’s journey thoroughly.
Her co-star Jisshu Sengupta, who portrays her onscreen husband, was praised for being perfectly cast as he embodies the image of an ideal man who can do no wrong. Kajol mentioned that viewers would empathize with his character, while simultaneously disapproving of some of his decisions. Jisshu added that he was drawn to the role of Rajeev Sengupta, an additional judge, due to its multi-layered nature.
“The Trial – Pyaar, Kanoon, Dhoka” is produced by Banijay Asia and also features Kubbra Sait, Sheeba Chaddha, and Alyy Khan in prominent roles.
