New Delhi: Best known for his roles in “Stree”, “Paatal Lok”, and “Mirzapur” among others, the versatile Abhishek Banerjee is a thriller aficionado and wishes to play a character from the dark realm.
Recently seen in Voot Select’s bone-tickling family comedy “The Great Weddings of Munnes” (TGWOM), along with Barkha Singh, Abhishek in an interaction with UNI talks about his dream role, journey, and his casting agency.
The ‘Rashmi Rocket’ fame actor said he loves thrillers. “I would love playing a character from the dark world, with total honesty.”
So was his journey as an actor a cakewalk, Abhishek says: “Not at all. It took me eight years to find my big first role. So it was not a cakewalk and I had to slog in different fields where probably I was not interested in.
“Like I was not interested in casting earlier, but then it just built on, and I realised it’s an interesting job and is a part of film making. The whole idea is to have fun. This is cinema, I have come here to have fun.”
Abhishek has worked as casting director in “The Dirty Picture”, “No One Killed Jessica”, “Bajatey Raho”, “Mickey Virus”, “Ok Jaanu”, “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha” to name just a few.
When asked if the process of casting has changed with the emergence of OTT platforms, the 37-year-old actor said: “Yes the process has changed, in the sense that people are now more open to skilled actors. Those waiting in line to prove their worth in the industry, they are finally getting a chance.
“So many contemporaries, who have struggled their way, have found a place in the industry and many more to follow, so it’s a big welcome change, because in last four years, the kind of influx we have had of the actors in the industry, I think it’s unparalleled.”
On the innovations his company is doing to improve casting experience for both actors and producers, he said: “For the actors — we are trying to reach the presence on social media, and keep giving them information on social media.
“On our website we have an application form, which is automated so that anybody can reach us. It’s difficult to probably give everybody a call back, but we are trying that, and with years to come and better technology, we will be able to achieve that.”
“For producers and directors, we have followed one rule, that we just give them the character no matter how and from wherever. We just want to give them good actors who fit their characters,” he said.
Abhishek keeps three aspects in his mind before signing any project. “It’s very important to have a very good maker, director and a story. If I have even one I say yes to it.”
On the film front, he will be next seen in the Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon starrer “Bhediya”.
