Netflix’s gritty crime drama 'Kohrra' returned with a new season on February 11 and continues its slow-burning storytelling, layered characters, and haunting emotional depth. Among the characters drawing attention in 'Kohrra 2' is Johnny Malang, played by actor Vikhyat Gulati.  

Gulati, a trained actor from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York and a theatre practitioner with Kumud Mishra’s D for Drama, has also appeared in shows like 'Tandav' (2021), 'Flames' (Seasons 3 and 4), 'Masaba Masaba' Season 2 (2022), and 'Jamnapaar' (2024). Check out this viral clip from ‘Flames’ starring Gulati.    

 

In an exclusive interview with Mathrubhumi, he spoke about portraying Johnny Malang, the psychological layers behind the character, and his journey as an actor.

Q: Johnny Malang enters the story as someone viewers can’t quite read. How did you balance playing him as both vulnerable and suspicious without giving too much away?

Ans: My goal is always make my characters as human as possible. Johnny is a mix of bad luck and naivety, where he doesn't think through what will happen if he runs away with ₹10 lakh; he just thinks he will double date, get some money from a rich woman, and nothing will happen; that's his naive side. On the contrary, he is cunning and brave enough not to share the complete information even with his father and run away without thinking of the consequences. This double nature makes him Grey, human and flawed like all of us are. Hence, my ideology was to portray him as human as possible; rest assured, the writing is phenomenal and keeps people on the edge and guessing.

Q: Kohrra 2 thrives on silence and tension. Was there a scene where what you didn’t say mattered more than the dialogue?

Ans: Haha, I think the chase sequence where my character doesn't say anything but pushes the cop away, and knows that Preet has been killed and the police is on a lookout for him. It spoke volumes about the guy that he is a survivor and can fight anything to get away. Also, there is a lingering guilt as he knows he has done wrong by cheating on Preet both in love and by taking her money.

Q: The show explores deep emotional and social layers beneath the crime. What did Johnny Malang teach you about human complexity?

Ans: Johnny and his family were converted in the name of religion. When the oppressed are given a ray of hope in the name of God, it is usually masked behind the baits of education, security, “spiritual guidance,” and even acceptance in a particular social group.

This made me realise how helpless some people are and can go through identity/belief shifts just to feel belonged. The need to be seen is so little spoken of. I watched news and documentaries of people attending huge Melas and Fairs where their disabilities were getting fixed by God's ‘magic’.

It made me think how easily faith can be marketed, and even our vulnerabilities have a price tag. Yet we are never fully accepted as we are. This is where Johnny taught me how, as a person, you have to fight. If you can't fight, then stand; if you can't stand, then at least show up every day and live by your aspirations to the fullest.

Q: You trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. What’s one lesson from that experience that still guides you on set today?

Ans: Imagining my character's world & ecosystem. Imagination, along with observation are the best tool I have received from my training, and it helps me make my characters both human and vivid.

Q: You’ve worked across projects like 'Tandav', 'Flames', and 'Masaba Masaba'. How have these different worlds shaped you as an actor?

Ans: From one-liners to one-page monologues, it has been a journey of 8 years, but still a long way to go. Every project has made me work harder and understand myself better both as a human and an artist.

While in 'Tandav' I play an active member of a student political party, in 'Flames' I played a depressed elder brother who is burdened by his father's expectations, but stands as a shield against him to safeguard his younger brother, where in 'Masaba Masaba' I was a snobby young director who made Ms. Neena Gupta's life miserable.

Every character I have played is different from the other and has helped me understand human psychology better and not judge any person, but rather understand their mentality behind their actions.

Q: Since Johnny is a dance teacher, if you had to express his inner life through a single movement or gesture instead of words, what would it be?

Ans: It might sound a little philosophical, but Johnny has always done things his way, and the only song that reminds me of this is ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra. A beautiful contemporary piece on this number, which may seem contrasting to his personality, would fit best with his inner turmoil and determination.

Q: Tell us how you got the part?

Ans: It is an interesting story where I was auditioning another actor for another part in front of Sudip sir & Faisal sir (I was a part of the casting team). Both of them really appreciated what I did while giving cues. By the time we had auditioned around 100 people for Johnny, my colleague and I recorded the scene as we perceived it, where I played Johnny. Nikita (casting director) really liked it, and we decided to send it to the sir. Turned out Sudip sir & Faisal sir really enjoyed it and asked me to share some dance videos, and the rest is history.