Vaani Kapoor Opens Up on ‘Mandala Murders’, Facing Trolls, and Redefining Strength On-Screen
As her psychological thriller tops Netflix charts, the actress gets candid about her OTT debut, emotional challenges, and learning to separate self-worth from online noise.
Vaani Kapoor is riding high with the success of her first web series, Mandala Murders, which is currently trending as one of the most-watched shows on Netflix India. Directed by Gopi Puthran, the psychological thriller with supernatural undertones marks a bold departure from Vaani’s previous film roles. In a recent conversation with India Today, she opened up about her journey into OTT, the challenges of playing a layered cop, and how she deals with criticism in the age of social media.
Blending paranormal elements with a gritty police procedural, Mandala Murders casts Vaani as a tough, emotionally complex officer—a role unlike anything she’s done before. “I’ve never been a part of something so tonally distinct,” Vaani shared. “The show has an energy that’s very different. The filmmakers really took a leap of faith in casting me, and I’m just incredibly grateful that Gopi Sir believed I could carry something like this.”
The actress admits that portraying such a restrained yet intense character was no easy feat. “What made it really challenging was expressing deep emotions while staying visibly composed. You’re doing a lot of internal work, but the result has to remain subtle,” she said, adding that this performance demanded a different level of introspection and restraint.
She also touched on how the character resonates with the broader strength women embody. “She’s a woman who represents resilience and inner power. And when needed, that inner strength becomes physical. I think that’s something a lot of women will connect with,” Vaani said.
In the digital era, scrutiny is inevitable—something Vaani has come to accept. When asked about trolls and online commentary, the actress revealed that she actively reads through reviews and feedback. “There are definitely useful insights out there, and then there are some comments that are unnecessarily harsh. I try to learn and evolve from the former while not letting the latter affect me too much.”
Despite her efforts to stay grounded, Vaani acknowledged that personal attacks can still sting. “As actors, we invest ourselves emotionally in our work, so when that gets reduced to a negative headline or harsh comment, it can hurt. But over time, I’ve learned to separate my work from my worth. Every opinion isn’t a reflection of who I am.”
She concluded with a note of acceptance and growth. “Criticism is part of the process—some helps you grow, and some you just have to let go. What matters most to me is the intent behind the feedback. And truthfully, you can’t please everyone.”
With Mandala Murders proving to be both a creative and popular success, Vaani Kapoor seems to have found her stride in the world of streaming content—on her own terms, and with her own voice.
Stay connected with us for the latest and exclusive updates on global entertainment—only here on Indori Nerd!
📲 Follow us on:
🔵 Facebook: https://t.ly/wlDW8
🐦 X (Twitter): https://t.ly/RhEuy
🧵 Threads: https://t.ly/Kb9xC
📸 Instagram: https://t.ly/uuCLg
▶️ YouTube: https://t.ly/FA5w_
