Tera Kya Hoga Lovely writer Kunal Mandekar talks about his journey from a journalist to storyteller

Do you remember Shah Rukh Khan’s famous line from Om Shanti Om, ‘Agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho… to puri kainaat usse tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai’. Today we will discuss a debutant writer, who once ran from pole to post for survival. A middle-class boy from Nagpur, who went to head a reputed media channel for more than a decade, and now making his debut in Bollywood as a story writer.

Randeep Hooda will soon be seen playing a tough Haryanvi cop in the satire drama, Tera Kya Hoga Lovely. The upcoming comedy-drama addresses important social issues including color discrimination and dowry. The story of the film is written by Kunal Mandekar with Anil Rodhan. Kunal has more than 15 years of experience in broadcast and digital fiction and non-fiction programming. While working in the media, Kunal kept the spark of storyteller alive.

Years before becoming a noted journalist Kunal Mandekar had his humble beginnings, running door-to-door to sell computer courses in Nagpur. His knack for news soon gave him a job as a trainee sub-editor in a regional paper, despite studying any mass communication course. Later, Kunal studied diploma in mass media and communication to sharpen his skills.

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After being associated with multiple media giants, Kunal has embarked on a bigger journey. Speaking about his journey from journalist to story writer Kunal says, “As an audience and as a reviewer the credits of the film always piqued my interest. Since early ages I have been interested in knowing the unsung heroes behind a film. This was like a dream come true, it was the first ever movie concept and story that i wrote with my friend Anil and we think this delivers an important message ”

Kunal also reveals that while penning the story, he had Randeep in his mind, playing Haryanvi tough cop. Speaking more about it, he adds, “Yes i had thought of it that it would be great that some who is the son of the soil plays it and it came to reality that Randeep agreed to the role”

Directed by Balwinder Singh Janjua, Tera Kya Hoga Lovely stars Randeep Hooda, Ileana D’Cruz, and Karan Kundrra in key roles. The film will be released in cinemas on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024.