From King Khan to Toaster: Vivek Daschaudary lifts the lid on Bollywood’s biggest stars and his bold OTT leap

Filmmaker Vivek Daschaudary stepped into the long-format storytelling space with his web show Toaster, which was produced by Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa. Known for his work in high-profile ad campaigns featuring some of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Daschaudary’s move to a narrative series marks a natural progression in a career built on performance-driven storytelling and sharp observational detail.Speaking about working with Rajkummar and Patralekhaa, Daschaudary underscores the comfort that comes from a relationship beyond the professional. “My dynamic with Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa is very honest. We share a real friendship, and I think that shows in the way we work together. There is a comfort and trust because we know each other beyond just work, and that makes the process very open.” About Rajkummar as an actor, he says, "With Raj, what stands out is how much he observes. He doesn’t talk too much about his process, he just takes everything in. And when the camera rolls, it all comes out naturally. A lot of Ramakant’s small behaviors actually came from his way of observing. Nothing feels forced with him, it just feels real. Whereas, Patralekhaa, as a producer, brings a very calm and understanding energy. She is very intuitive about what’s happening on set. I remember one stressful day when we were running behind, and instead of putting pressure, she just came and quietly asked what I needed to move faster. That kind of support really helps you stay focused.”Before Toaster, Daschaudary carved a niche directing commercials featuring top-tier stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Rashmika Mandanna. Each collaboration, he says, brought its own learning curve. Reflecting on his experience with Shah Rukh Khan, Daschaudary recalls how the initial awe gave way to a grounded creative exchange.“Growing up watching Shah Rukh Khan, the idea of one day directing him always felt a little surreal almost overwhelming in the best way. But when that moment actually came, something shifted. It didn’t feel like I was directing ‘King Khan’ for the first time. It felt simpler, more grounded just a director and an actor, both deeply invested in making something good. With him, the process has always been unexpectedly easy. He brings discipline, warmth, and an openness that makes you wonder ‘how does someone at that level still stay so present, so generous?’ Working with him never feels heavy; it feels like flow.”Akshay Kumar, on the other hand, brought a high-octane efficiency to shoots. “Working with Akshay Kumar has been its own kind of adventure. Somehow, every project lands in that impossible space too much to do, too little time. Eight hours that should never be enough. And yet, somehow, it always is. There’s a rhythm he brings speed, precision, and this quiet confidence that makes you think, maybe we will pull this off… It makes you pause and wonder: is it just efficiency, or is it something more instinctive about the way he works?”With Kareena Kapoor Khan, the collaboration has been long-standing and evolving. "It’s been a journey that’s stretched over a decade and somehow, every time still feels fresh. She brings a certain energy to set a vibe that’s hard to define but impossible to miss. There’s laughter, great food, a sense of ease… and then, when the camera rolls, something shifts. The expressions, the presence—it makes you wonder how effortlessly she taps into that emotional range.”