India, Sept. 15 -- For Vaani Kapoor, shooting in real locations is more than just a backdrop, it's a way to bring stories to life. The actor, who recently worked on Raid 2 and her OTT debut Mandala Murders, both filmed in Uttar Pradesh, says the experience added depth to her performances and made the projects more believable for audiences.

"Real locations, small houses, lanes and bylanes, outdoors, these aspects create realism and help make the narrative more believable," she says, adding that as an actor she feels "more connected with the characters and the story", which in turn helps her strike a stronger chord with viewers.

Vaani points out that such settings are crucial for rooted narratives. "An atmosphere is created around that wo...