Actor Sonali Kulkarni is not new to audio projects. She is familiar with doing plays, stories and other voice work on the audio platform but she calls her latest project, Audible’s His Majesty’s Tiger series, ‘first-of-its-kind.’ “I’m very excited about this first-of-its-kind audio series. I have done similar work in the past, where I would do solo reading but this is the first time ever that I am doing an audio play, where we have a variety of characters and situations. It’s fun.”

Kulkarni, who plays Rani Sukanya, the protagonist in the fantasy series written by Amal Singh, shares her experience with The Telegraph.

How was the experience of giving voice to Rani Sukanya?

This is a team effort, and I wanted to give justice to the emotions because when we say that Rani Sukanya is a queen, she’s also a mother, a wife, a leader, and a woman. So, there are many emotions which are interwoven. For me, it had to be as genuine as possible because it matters to all of us. For example, you are a reporter but at the same time, you could be a creative person, a family person, a vigilant citizen. So, these things go hand in hand. We never try to take away oneself from the other self. They are interwoven. So, I kept these things in mind. I also enjoyed the process of listening to the recording and improving upon the production.

What was it about Sukanya that you liked the most? Were there any relatable traits?

As a woman, there are many traits and layers that I can identify with Sukanya. We all have leaders within us. So, I run a small factory or an industry in the sense, I’m an actor but I feel I’m responsible for my team. I need to look after their well-being. I’m very edgy about them eating on time. I am absolutely crazy about their safety and comfort because they work for me. If I don’t care for them, who else will? So, my kingdom is about 50 people, where my managers, my styling team, my domestic team, my drivers, all these people matter to me! They understand when I am looking after my daughter and why I have to go to her school for a parent’s meeting because I’m a mother and need to be with my daughter. So, similarly, I try to look into Sukanya with my team’s help, obviously with what goes through a woman’s mind. She is not out there to enjoy the power only. I hope I’m not giving away, but Sukanya is not a ruthless leader when it comes to power or authority. So, I really like these things, and I could identify with Rani Sukanya about these ones.

If this production is adapted for the screen, would you essay it, and are there any changes you would want to make?

I would love it if they turn this into a visual presentation as well. I’d love to be Rani Sukanya, and I think half the battle is won when there is right casting, and I feel that the series for this particular book, the kind of casting, the kind of voices being cast, is unique. So, if at all, the team plans to make it into a visual presentation, I am in. I’m on.

What are your other projects on screen, stage, and TV?

I’m very happy that some people are still watching my Crime Patrol season on Netflix. My Marathi film Susheela Sujeet has just released, so I am still soaking in the response. There is a big film which I’ll be filming later this year; it will be released in 2026. I keep producing plays as theatre is one of my deep interests and I am looking forward to a few recent productions and their shows. My second book, So Kul.. Take 2 is also receiving a good response. So, it feels nice that I have a good number of readers, and now I’m going to have an equally good number of listeners.