“I Read a Few Books and Each of Them Gave Me a Different Insight Into Kunti’s Personality and Journey”: Toral Rasputra on Preparing for Sony SAB’s Hastinapur Ke Veer
Mumbai: Sony SAB is gearing up to present a fresh and emotionally rich retelling of the early years of the Mahabharata through its upcoming show Hastinapur Ke Veer. Among the central characters in the series is Kunti, portrayed by actress Toral Rasputra, who says she deeply researched the role to understand the many emotional layers of the iconic mythological figure.
Known for playing strong female characters on television, Toral approached Kunti not merely as a queen or the mother of the Pandavas, but as a woman navigating extraordinary emotional and moral challenges.
To prepare for the role, the actress explored multiple literary interpretations of Kunti’s life and personality. She read books including Teachings of Queen Kunti, The Kaunteyas – Queen Kunti’s Mahabharata and Kunti by Koral Dasgupta to gain varied perspectives on the character.
In this interaction, Toral Rasputra speaks about her preparation, understanding of Kunti, and the emotional depth she hopes to bring to the screen.
Q: What attracted you most to the character of Kunti in Hastinapur Ke Veer?
Toral Rasputra: Kunti is such a powerful and emotionally layered character that I knew I wanted to understand her beyond what’s written in the script. She is remembered for her strength and sacrifices, but when you start exploring her journey deeply, you realise how emotionally complex she really was.
Q: How did you prepare yourself for such an iconic mythological role?
Toral Rasputra: I read a few books on Kunti and each of them gave me a different insight into her personality and journey. What fascinated me most was how every author portrayed her strength, sacrifices and emotional conflicts in such unique ways.
Q: Which books or references helped you shape your understanding of Kunti?
Toral Rasputra: I explored books like Teachings of Queen Kunti, The Kaunteyas – Queen Kunti’s Mahabharata and Kunti by Koral Dasgupta. Each book added a different emotional and philosophical perspective to the character.
Q: Did those different interpretations influence your performance?
Toral Rasputra: Absolutely. As an actor, it pushed me to think deeper and eventually create my own interpretation of Kunti — a woman who is strong yet sensitive, wise yet emotional. I wanted the portrayal to feel emotionally authentic rather than just dramatic.
Q: What do you hope audiences connect with in your portrayal of Kunti?
Toral Rasputra: I wanted audiences to connect with her not just as a queen or a mythological figure, but as a woman whose struggles, sacrifices and resilience still feel relevant today. Her journey is timeless because it reflects motherhood, responsibility, emotional conflict and inner strength.
With Hastinapur Ke Veer, Sony SAB aims to present mythology through a more emotional and character-driven lens, focusing on the relationships and formative experiences that shaped some of the Mahabharata’s most iconic figures.
