Akhil Kaimal on Sapne vs Everyone Season 2: '95% of Ashwin's struggle is my own'

Key facts

• Sapne vs Everyone Season 2 premiered globally on Amazon Prime Video on May 1, 2026.
• The five-episode season is produced by The Viral Fever (TVF) and directed by Ambrish Verma.
• Akhil Kaimal plays Ashwin, a filmmaker from Kerala struggling in Mumbai.
• Kaimal spent roughly five years in Mumbai, working as a casting associate before acting.
• He says about 95% of Ashwin's frustration and hope reflects his personal reality.
• Kaimal's upcoming projects include Dharma Productions' Chand Mera Dil (theatrical release June 5) and a Netflix period drama.

A Lived-In Performance

When Akhil Kaimal steps onto the set of Sapne vs Everyone Season 2, he is not merely acting. He is revisiting his own past. The actor, who portrays Ashwin—a filmmaker from Kerala grappling with the crushing weight of ambition in Mumbai—admits that roughly 95% of his character's frustration and hope is drawn from his personal experience. Kaimal spent about five years in Mumbai, initially working as a casting associate to keep his dreams alive. That background infuses his performance with a rawness that has resonated with audiences. 'I remember questioning myself whether I was approaching it the right way,' he said, recalling his first day shooting a crucial scene where Ashwin is broken yet still chooses to care for someone else.

Music as a Creative Compass

Director Ambrish Verma, who also writes and stars in the show, used an unconventional method to help Kaimal find his character. On that first day, Verma played the track 'Hand Covers Bruise' on set and asked Kaimal to sit with it. 'Something about that shifted everything,' Kaimal said. 'I suddenly understood what Ashwin was feeling.' Thereafter, whenever Kaimal felt stuck, he would ask Verma, 'What music are you hearing for this scene?' The musical approach became a recurring theme throughout the shoot, serving as Kaimal's entry point into the character's emotional state. Verma, who initially imagined Ashwin as more serious and restrained, appreciated the lighter moments and smiles Kaimal brought, saying they added depth to the role.

The Bond Between Flatmates

One of the most praised aspects of the show is the chemistry between flatmates Ashwin and Prashant, played by Paramvir Singh Cheema. Kaimal recalled how their off-screen comfort translated into on-screen magic. 'Param and I used to sit and talk about different things between takes. No one used to go back to their vanity and sit alone. We used to behave like flatmates even when the cameras weren't rolling,' he said. A quiet, emotional beach scene became a turning point for their professional bond. After the take, Cheema told Kaimal he could genuinely feel everything he was expressing. 'As actors, it takes a certain level of generosity and confidence to acknowledge each other's work like that,' Kaimal reflected.

From TVF to Dharma Productions

Kaimal is now gearing up for a major shift in scale with Dharma Productions' Chand Mera Dil, directed by Vivek Soni and set for theatrical release on June 5. Recalling the moment he landed the role, Kaimal described it as a feeling of 'having arrived.' Working with Soni, known for his visual sensitivity, was a highlight. 'Vivek sir is a person of frames. He is very clear about what he wants,' Kaimal said. He also spoke warmly of co-star Lakshya, describing him as a 'no-filter, honest' person despite his rising stardom. Lakshya was particularly impressed by Kaimal's dedication to mastering the Hyderabadi accent, for which Kaimal lived in Hyderabad for a week. 'He said that's the level of dedication everyone should achieve,' Kaimal shared.

Navigating Self-Doubt

Even halfway through filming Sapne vs Everyone, Kaimal was not entirely sure he was capturing what Verma envisioned. 'I tend to second-guess myself, so I kept wondering if I was portraying Ashwin accurately,' he said. A day before a shoot, he asked Verma directly. The director smiled and told him that the way he was playing the character brought a new dimension, and that even small things like his smiles and lighter moments added depth. 'That validation meant a lot to me. But the doubt never fully disappears, and I believe that's important. It keeps you honest as an actor,' Kaimal said. He noted that in an industry where everyone is chasing the same goals, feeling secure isn't always easy.

What Comes Next

Beyond Chand Mera Dil, Kaimal is currently shooting for a period drama for Netflix, produced by Balaji Telefilms and Chalkboard Entertainment, directed by Nupur Asthana and Santosh Singh. In that project, he will play a grey, negative character—a departure from his previous roles. Kaimal's earlier work includes 'The Hunt: Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case,' 'The Kerala Story,' and Netflix's 'Kaala Paani.' His debut Malayalam film, 'Jalasamadhi,' garnered international recognition. Since then, he has taken on diverse roles across Hindi and Malayalam cinema and theatre stages around the world.

A Story of Ambition and Survival

Sapne vs Everyone Season 2 continues the parallel journeys of Jimmy (Ambrish Verma) and Prashant (Paramvir Singh Cheema) as they navigate the harsh realities of the Mumbai film industry. The show, produced by The Viral Fever (TVF), has been praised for its unflinching look at ambition and the price of success. Kaimal's performance as Ashwin adds a layer of authenticity that elevates the series. His ability to channel his own struggles into his work has struck a chord with audiences, making the show's exploration of broken dreams and resilience feel deeply personal. As Kaimal put it, 'The doubt never fully disappears, but it keeps you honest.'

The bottom line

• Akhil Kaimal's portrayal of Ashwin in Sapne vs Everyone Season 2 is heavily autobiographical, with 95% of the character's struggles reflecting his own journey from Kerala to Mumbai.
• Director Ambrish Verma used music, specifically the track 'Hand Covers Bruise,' as a tool to help Kaimal access his character's emotions.
• The chemistry between Kaimal and co-star Paramvir Singh Cheema was built on off-screen camaraderie, with a beach scene serving as a turning point in their professional bond.
• Kaimal's upcoming projects include Dharma Productions' Chand Mera Dil (theatrical release June 5) and a Netflix period drama where he will play a negative character.
• The actor credits his self-doubt as a tool that keeps his performances honest, a sentiment validated by Verma's encouragement of his unique interpretation of Ashwin.
• Sapne vs Everyone Season 2 premiered globally on Amazon Prime Video on May 1, 2026, and continues TVF's exploration of ambition and survival in Mumbai's film industry.