Actor Kunal Kapoor has officially joined the cast of Lambodhara 2.0, the upcoming science-fiction social thriller directed by Simple Suni. The film also marks the acting debut of producer-writer Anil Shetty, who plays the lead alongside Bollywood actor Saachi Bindra.
Kunal, known for his performances in Rang De Basanti, Don 2, Dear Zindagi and several other films, Kunal Kapoor will be seen in a pivotal role, making his Kannada cinema debut through what the makers describe as a genre-defining project.
Speaking about bringing Kunal on board, producer and lead actor Anil Shetty sharing a few pictures of their meeting, says the team was looking for a face that would surprise audiences. “This is not a typical villain role. Both Kunal and I play grey characters, and we want to leave it to the audience to decide where they stand. We met several people, but I wanted a face that add value to the role, and surprise the audience too. Kunal fit the character perfectly,” he says.
Anil adds that the casting process for Saachi Bindra was equally deliberate. “We wanted to introduce a fresh face and conducted extensive auditions. We had seen her work earlier and felt she brought the right energy and presence to the character,” he says.
Director Simple Suni says the core of Lambodhara 2.0 lies in its emotional and philosophical layers. “The film is about happiness. For this particular role, we wanted a recognised face across India, and Kunal Kapoor was perfect for the character,” he says.
Apart from Kunal, the film also features Malavika Avinash, Meghana Gaonkar and influencer Matha Machcha in pivotal roles.
Set against the backdrop of a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and social media, Lambodhara 2.0 explores themes of happiness, loneliness, social validation, digital addiction and psychological control. Calling it a “science-fiction social thriller,” Anil Shetty says the film attempts to explore territory rarely attempted in Indian cinema.
Currently in its final leg of shooting, the makers are targeting a September theatrical release with plans for a multi-language rollout. Produced under MASS Production, the film has cinematography by Santhosh Rai Pathaje, and music by Veer Samarth.
