Sharat Sonu On Bringing Subtle Humor To Mandala Murders: 'In A Dark Show, My Character Was the Relief'
Mandala Murders actor Sharat Sonu talks about his quirky role as SHO Pramod, adding subtle humor to the dark Netflix thriller.
Actor Sharat Sonu, whose diverse filmography includes Kaagaz, Super 30, Zombivli, UP65, and Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan, has made a striking impression as SHO Pramod in Mandala Murders, the gripping psychological thriller currently streaming on Netflix.
While the show dives deep into intense and unsettling terrain, Sharat's character offers a moment of levity amidst the chaos—a role that came with its own challenges. 'I was drawn to the humor," he says. 'In a dark series, my character brought relief. While others searched for killers or lost ones, I didn't have to search for anything. That made the role quirky and fun."
However, balancing comic timing within a serious narrative isn't always easy. 'The biggest challenge was keeping humor subtle, not over-the-top," he explains. 'Comedy can easily slip into exaggeration. Workshops and Gopi Sir's guidance helped keep it natural. Retakes could feel monotonous, but the energy on set never let it feel boring or challenging."
Despite playing the comic relief, Sonu admits that the intensity of the series was hard to ignore. 'Honestly, I didn't need to go 'dark.' My character was the comic relief, so I stayed lighthearted. But being on such an intense set automatically pulls you into that mood—you feel the tension even while playing the lighter notes."
Working alongside leading stars like Vaani Kapoor and Vaibhav Raj Gupta was another highlight of the experience for Sonu. 'Vaani's warm, grounded, and never carries 'star energy' on set," he says. 'Vaibhav is the most supportive co-actor anyone could ask for. Both made scenes enjoyable, and the entire cast's vibe shows in the series."
The actor is clearly enjoying the positive feedback the show has received so far. 'People are loving it! From friends to audiences, I've been getting messages about how refreshing my character feels amidst all the darkness. It's nice when people say you made them laugh in such a tense thriller. That's the best compliment."
Praising the immersive production design, Sonu adds, 'The sets, lighting, and detailing transported us straight into that world. Every frame looked so real, you didn't have to 'act' the atmosphere—it was already there. The visual mood made slipping into character effortless."
Directed by Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat and produced by YRF Entertainment, Mandala Murders stars Vaani Kapoor, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Surveen Chawla, and Sharat Sonu. The show is currently trending on Netflix India and continues to garner global acclaim.
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August 02, 2025, 17:56 IST
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