09 June,2026 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam Abraham
Sai Tamhankar. Pics/Instagram, Youtube
Playing a cop in a high-stakes crime thriller was reason enough for Sai Tamhankar to say yes to Carnaame: Badla Gear Palti Kismat. But what sealed the deal was the chance to explore a territory vastly different from her recent work. The Prime Video series, directed by Vinay Waikul and co-starring Sikander Kher, marks the actor's first collaboration with the filmmaker - one she says felt surprisingly personal.
Tamhankar confirms that the fast-paced thriller will stream before the end of the year, although the release date is yet to be locked. "It will come out supposedly in the second half of this year." The actor says her bond with Waikul formed almost instantly. "I worked with Vinay Waikul for the first time. And it was a lovely experience. His wife [Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul, writer and actor] is my friend. His mother-in-law [late Reema Lagoo] was also my friend. So, this connection was not expected, but it happened," she says.
Fresh off the release of the Marathi film Tumbadchi Manjula, Tamhankar reflects on her journey from regional star to a recognised face across industries. For aspiring actors hoping to break into the entertainment business, she offers a reality check. "One needs to understand that there is no shortcut to hard work. It is not a profession for somebody with a weak heart because there are a lot of hardships, unpredictabilities, heartbreaks, and disappointments. It's a challenge to keep believing in yourself and not give up."
The story follows four friends who are drowning in financial debt. Desperate for a way out, they plan a car heist. But when the job goes horribly wrong, it snowballs into an accidental interstate car-theft operation, setting off a chain of chaotic and dangerous events.
