Actor-director Manahar Kumar shares excerpts from his journey

Gurnaaz

In the heart of Mumbai, Chandigarh boy Manahar Kumar is actively navigating the vibrant film industry, with his sight set on both acting and direction. “Right now, I’m in talks with different production companies and casting directors for acting roles. I’m also writing a feature film and pitching it,” he shares.

His acting credits include roles in films such as Jawan and the second season of Made in Heaven. “I was part of Nayanthara’s team in Jawan, working as one of her field officers. These projects have really helped me showcase my talent on a larger platform,” he says.

Reflecting on how he got here, Manahar explains, “After moving to Mumbai three-and-a-half years ago, I was lucky to be mentored by directors like Shakun Batra and Abhishek Sharma. They’ve really guided me in this competitive industry.”

He’s also been selected as a BAFTA newcomer — a four-year-long talent initiative as a director-performer — and a Futures Creative Fellow with Gold House, which has opened many doors for him. “These fellowships have connected me with filmmakers from around the world,” he notes.

Tracing back to his recent achievements, Manahar’s academic journey was pivotal. He studied MFA at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he honed his skills in both acting and filmmaking. “I realised it was important for me to go behind the camera and learn the craft of filmmaking and writing,” he recalls. During his time at SCAD, he not only acted in various projects but also directed films that garnered accolades, including a Student Emmy Award for his performance in Distant. Manahar’s journey through film festivals continued with projects such as What Remains of Emily, which won Best Lead Actor at the Infinity Film Festival in the UK and Best Pilot at the Next Generation Indie Awards in Hollywood. His film Mabrook was showcased at festivals like the Atlanta Film Festival and Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The Chandigarh connection to his success remains a highlight. “During my course, I used to come back home for breaks and continued working on these films. Kya Dekh Raha Hai won me a Student Emmy for Best Short Documentary. I also worked on other films like Race, which won Best Indie Film at the New York Film Awards and Best Short Film at the Georgia Film Festival,” he shares.

Another significant project was Stardust, his thesis film that he wrote, directed and crowdfunded. “We raised around $10,000, and the film led me to become a finalist for Best International Director at the Oregon Short Film Festival. It also played at several other South Asian Film Festivals in the US, such as Tasveer and Chicago South Asian Film Festival,” Manahar recounts with joy.

His most recent achievement is a short film titled Hush Hush. “It won a Student Emmy Award and was also a winner at the Atlanta Web and Film International Film Festival.”

Before moving to the United States, Manahar’s foundation was built in Chandigarh, where he was actively involved in theatre during his school days. “I participated in a lot of plays, like 12 Angry Men, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, and Ayn Rand’s Night of January 16 with Zubin Mehta’s Wings Theatre Academy,” he reminisces. His passion for performing arts only deepened during his undergraduate years in Manipal, where he embraced every opportunity to act and create. “We created an event for students to come on stage and overcome their fright,” he adds.

Manahar’s journey to theatre began in high school, but it took a transformative turn when he initially enrolled in an engineering course. “After about a month, I realised this wasn’t something that would keep me motivated,” he states. With support from his family, he switched to mass communication, a decision that allowed him to pursue his true passion for acting.

Today, as he continues to explore new opportunities, he knows the power of following one’s passion and the strength it gives. “I’m excited about what’s next, both in acting and direction. I feel like I’m just getting started,” he concludes.