The Kerala Story 2: Sumit Gahlawat Calls Working On The Film His Most Evolved Collab With Vipul Amrutlal Shah

Actor Sumit Gahlawat says his third film with producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, The Kerala Story 2, marks a new creative high for their partnership, as the trailer draws strong early reactions and hints at a complex turn for Sumit’s character Salim, who moves from hero to villain in the story.

"Sumit Gahlawat calls working on The Kerala Story 2 his most evolved collaboration with Vipul Amrutlal Shah" and this project follows their earlier work together on The Kerala Story and Bastar, yet Sumit notes that this time the understanding, trust and collaboration between the team members feels far more mature.

The Kerala Story 2 collaboration and creative freedom

"Sumit Gahlawat reunites with Vipul Shah for the third time, calls it their most collaborative outing yet" and credits both Vipul Amrutlal Shah and director Kamakhya Narayan Singh for shaping an atmosphere where actors could experiment freely, share ideas without hesitation and feel safe while exploring difficult emotional beats for the new film.

Sumit explains that, by the time cameras rolled on The Kerala Story 2, the unit had built deep trust, as "Vipul Sir and Kamakhya Sir gave us complete freedom to express our creative instincts, he shared," which, according to Sumit, encouraged bolder choices with Salim’s shifting personality and moral journey.

The Kerala Story 2 rehearsals, prep sessions and evolving scenes

The actor describes a demanding preparation schedule before The Kerala Story 2 went on floors, revealing that there were 12–13 intensive rehearsal and discussion sessions for the ensemble cast, all of which were personally attended by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, despite a schedule that Sumit says was already packed with other professional responsibilities.

"We had multiple detailed discussions, and what really stood out was Vipul Sir's constant involvement. No matter how packed his calendar was, he ensured he was present in every session. That kind of dedication motivates you to raise your own bar." Sumit links this presence to the cast’s stronger performances.

Sumit recalls several moments on The Kerala Story 2 set when scenes changed dramatically after discussions, saying, "There were moments when I wanted to approach a scene from a completely different perspective. Vipul Sir not only listened patiently but was open to reshaping the scene entirely. In fact, some sequences evolved 360 degrees because of those conversations. He is extremely attentive and respectful towards his actors' process."

The Kerala Story 2 character Salim and script process

In The Kerala Story 2, Sumit plays Salim, a figure who starts as the protagonist yet gradually shifts into the antagonist, and this reversal, packed with emotional and psychological shifts, required careful planning so that each step in Salim’s journey felt believable to both Sumit and the audience watching.

Reflecting on first reading the material, Sumit says, "When I first read the script, I understood that this character is extremely layered. With almost every scene, a new depth unfolds emotionally and psychologically. That progression is what drew me in, added Sumit," and the script’s detail convinced Sumit to commit fully.

To stay honest to Salim’s transformation in The Kerala Story 2, Sumit relied on constant script study, explaining, "I strongly believe in reading the script multiple times before facing the camera. I must have gone through it more than 25 times. When a character shifts so dramatically, you need to internalize every nuance."

"Vipul Sir doesn't shy from reimagining a scene on an actor's request," says Sumit Gahlawat on his third collaboration with Vipul Shah in The Kerala Story 2, and with the trailer already connecting with viewers, Sumit believes the mix of intense preparation, layered writing and open collaboration will give Salim’s arc a strong impact on the film’s audience.