EXCLUSIVE: The Kerala Story 2 Actor Sumit Gahlawat Calls Third Outing With Vipul Amrutlal Shah The Most Collaborative; Shares, “He Doesn’t Shy From Reimagining Scenes”

Sumit Gahlawat is stepping into one of his most layered performances yet in The Kerala Story 2 and the actor leaves no stone unturned in preparing for it. The recently released trailer has already struck a chord with the audiences. Reuniting with filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah and director Kamakhya Narayan Singh, Sumit describes the experience as creatively liberating and deeply collaborative.

Having previously worked with Vipul Shah on The Kerala Story and Bastar, this projects marks their third collaboration but according to Sumit, this one feels the most evolved. For those who don’t know, in the soon-to-release film, Sumit portrays Salim, a character who transitions from protagonist to antagonist who demandes both emotional depth and psychological precision.

Read on to know all Sumit had to say about the project while he exclusively opens up about reuniting with Vipul Shah, his prep and more.

Sumit Gahlawat On Saying Yes To Vipul Shah’s The Kerala Story 2

Reflecting on his first reading of The Kerala Story 2 script, Sumit Gahlawat shares that he was instantly struck by the complexity of his character. He shared, “When I first read the script, I understood that this character is extremely layered. With almost every scene, a new depth unfolds emotionally and psychologically. That progression is what drew me in.”

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A post shared by Sumit Gahlawat (@sumitgahlawat90)

To do justice to the character, there were 12–13 extensive prep sessions for the cast, all personally attended by Vipul Shah despite his hectic schedule. Sumit revealed, “We had multiple detailed discussions, and what really stood out was Vipul Sir’s constant involvement. No matter how packed his calendar was, he ensured he was present in every session. That kind of dedication motivates you to raise your own bar.”

For Sumit, preparation meant immersing himself fully in the script. He shared, “I strongly believe in reading the script multiple times before facing the camera. I must have gone through it more than 25 times. When a character shifts so dramatically, you need to internalize every nuance.”

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A post shared by Sumit Gahlawat (@sumitgahlawat90)

Sumit Gahlawat: “Vipul Shah Is Extremely Attentive & Respectful Towards His Actors”

Sumit emphasizes that both Vipul Shah and Kamakhya Narayan Singh created a safe and open creative environment. He shared, “This being our third collaboration, there was already trust. But this time, the comfort level was unmatched. Vipul Sir and Kamakhya Sir gave us complete freedom to express our creative instincts.”

He recalls instances where his inputs led to major changes in scenes. He shared, “There were moments when I wanted to approach a scene from a completely different perspective. Vipul Sir not only listened patiently but was open to reshaping the scene entirely. In fact, some sequences evolved 360 degrees because of those conversations. He is extremely attentive and respectful towards his actors’ process.”

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A post shared by Sumit Gahlawat (@sumitgahlawat90)

With a powerful character arc, intense preparation, and the collaborative vision of Vipul Shah and Kamakhya Narayan Singh, Sumit Gahlawat’s portrayal of Salim in The Kerala Story 2 promises to leave a lasting impact with the trailer already garnering praises.

About The Kerala Story 2- Goes Beyond

Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh,  the film brings to the forefront the harrowing story of three Hindu girls, played by Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha. Their lives take a terrifying turn after they fall in love with three Muslim boys, relationships that gradually reveal a calculated agenda of religious conversion. In case you’ve missed the trailer of The Kerala Story 2, watch it here:

Following the massive impact of The Kerala Story, which shook audiences nationwide with its bold narrative, the sequel promises to push boundaries even further, going beyond comfort, beyond silence, and beyond denial. Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, The Kerala Story 2- Goes Beyond is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. It has been co-produced by Aashin A Shah under the banner Sunshine Pictures. The film is slated to release in cinemas on 27th February, 2026

For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.

Also Read: The Kerala Story 2: Kerala CM CRITICISES Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s Social Film Trailer; Says, “They Are Spreading False Propaganda”

Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.