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Key Points

Director Umesh Bist shared his unique approach to working with actors on The Trial's second season. He firmly believes that trying to control performers is a mistake and instead prefers to become part of their creative process. Bist faced the challenge of adapting over 27 episodes from The Good Wife into just six episodes for the Indian audience. He credits his talented cast including Kajol and Jisshu Sengupta for bringing spontaneity and preparation to the set.

Key Points: Umesh Bist on Directing Kajol and Jisshu in The Trial Season 2

  • Bist believes in joining his actors' gang instead of controlling them
  • Season 2 adapted 27+ episodes into 6 concise Indian versions
  • The director had clear narrative vision from rich Good Wife source material
  • Kajol and Jisshu are praised as prepared yet spontaneous performers
2 min read

'The Trial' director Umesh Bist doesn't believe in reining in his actors to churn out great performance

Director Umesh Bist reveals his philosophy for great performances, explaining why he never reins in actors like Kajol and Jisshu Sengupta in The Trial S2.

"Never ever try to rein in your actors. That's a bad call. - Umesh Bist"

Mumbai, Sep 8

Director Umesh Bist, who has helmed the upcoming 2nd season of the streaming show ‘The Trial’, has shared the trick behind churning out great performances from his actors, Jisshu Sengupta and Kajol.

Umesh, Jisshu and Kajol spoke with IANS in the run-up to the release of the second season of the show. During the interview both Jisshu and Kajol cracked up frequently.

When the director was asked how does he rein in his actor to churn out a great performance, he told IANS, “Never ever try to rein in your actors. That's a bad call. You have to become a part of them. And, then you have to join the gang”.

He further mentioned that he had a good understanding of the series after watching the first season of the show.

He said, “I am a big fan of the ‘Good Wife’ (the show from which ‘The Trial’ is adapted). So, our source material was very rich. And, there was a certain way I wanted to narrate the story. So, that clarity I had. So, and then I had a great team with Kajol heading the show. And, Jishu and the wonderful crew and cast, and the writing was a big challenge for season 2”.

“Season 2 of ‘Good Wife’, if you see, is more than 27 episodes. Here we had only 6 episodes of half an hour each. So, we had to consolidate everything and get the essence out of it. And, then more importantly adapt it to our Indian situation. Of course, Jisshu, Kajol, they all chipped in. So, we had a very good base or the foundation to start with.Once we reached the set, I had very prepared and spontaneous actors”, he added.

‘The Trial’ season 2 is set to stream on September 19, 2025, on JioHotstar.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Adapting 27 episodes into just 6 Indian episodes is a massive challenge! Respect to the writing team for maintaining the essence while making it relevant to our context.
A
Aryan P
Kajol's comeback through OTT has been phenomenal. She brings such depth to her characters. September 19 can't come soon enough!
S
Sarah B
As someone who loved The Good Wife, I appreciate how they've adapted it for Indian audiences without losing the core legal drama elements. The casting is perfect!
V
Vikram M
While I appreciate the creative freedom, sometimes directors need to guide actors more firmly. Not every actor can handle complete freedom effectively. Just my two cents.
K
Kavya N
Jisshu Sengupta is such an underrated actor! Glad he's getting good opportunities in Hindi web series. His chemistry with Kajol is electric âš¡
M
Michael C
The Indian adaptation has actually improved on some aspects of the original. The courtroom scenes feel more authentic to our legal system. Great work by the team!

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