Chutzpah, a web series, explores the influence of Internet through five interconnected stories

Gurnaaz Kaur

Having a virtual identity has become our reality. The Internet and social media are irreplaceable parts of our lives. It’s a different you online from who you are offline. Maintaining two identities may be everyone’s thing today, but let’s face it— it doesn’t come easy.

The new web series, Chutzpah, delves into the digital transformation of human identity in today’s time. Starring Fukrey fame Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh along with Gautam Mehra, Tanzya Maniktala, Elnaaz Norouzi and Kshitij Chauhan among others, the show has been written by Amit Babbar and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and directed by Simarpreet Singh.

This gen-X show also marks the OTT debut of producer Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Outsider. Exploring the influence of the internet through five interconnected stories, Chutzpah also sheds light on the dark side of the digital age. As its makers call it, “It’s like a slice of cake, layered with five differently flavoured stories tied together with the fine cream called ‘the Internet’.”

Since the release of its trailer, it has been grabbing eyeballs. Maybe because there is much for everyone to relate with.

For Varun Sharma, this show is special for more than one reason. “I am quite excited to make my OTT debut with a fantastic entertainer like Chutzpah. Another reason why it is very close to my heart is the fact that I have had a long association with Mirghdeep and Dinesh, so collaborating with them again was like homecoming.”

Varun thinks since social media and internet usage is such an integral part of everyone’s life, most people do not realise when they switch personalities to seek validation. “To see that transition in a show would be a wake-up call for many.”

Playing Rishi in the show, Manjot Singh’s character is shy and finds it difficult to share his heart with his parents. But he transforms, thanks to his online connection. “When I meet a camgirl, Wild Butterfly played by Elnaaz Norouzi, I get the courage to be myself with her help,” Manjot says. According to Manjot, the show looks at cam sites from an unprejudiced scope. At the same time, for Elnaaz to play a cam girl wasn’t all that simple. She had her share of apprehension. “It was a never-heard-before script, so I was obviously happy that it came my way but I didn’t know how I’d be able to pull it off. I trusted the makers and that was the first step in the right direction.”

Every actor had to put in his/her all to bring out their character. Tanya Maniktala, who was last seen in A Suitable Boy and won many a heart with her dreamy eyes and coy smile, is paired opposite Varun in this show. While the show was fun, she says it was equally challenging. “I was impressed by the great script and there’s no denying that the team is exceptionally talented too. But what made me go for Chutzpah was my character. It’s entirely opposite from the person I am and every actor wants to portray a new someone. It’s a daunting task but so gratifying too.”

The show premieres on Sony Liv today.