‘There was a blast below our house, we were inside’: Kunal Kemmu’s childhood in Srinagar

Before becoming a renowned actor, Kunal Kemmu was a six-year-old boy in Srinagar, with little interest in pursuing a career in acting. His introduction to the camera was largely accidental, as he often accompanied his parents to the sets of the Doordarshan serial Gul Gulshan Gulfaam. Growing up in Kashmir during a period of unrest, Kunal would later describe his early years as one of worry and uncertainty, with explosions and stone-pelting being commonplace.

His father, a trained actor, worked in directing, and his mother acted in various television shows. Kunal's acting debut came when he appeared on television during a filming session, despite his initial reluctance to step in front of the camera. Moving to Bombay a year and a half later, Kunal's career took off when he was cast in Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke, followed by a role in Zakhm, which solidified his desire to pursue acting as a career.