KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Abhishek Banerjee is one of the most loved actors in the industry
- Fans widely recognise him for playing Compounder and Hatoda Tyagi
- Here’s what he feels about the boom of OTT platforms, fresh talent getting opportunities, and more
People started recognising Abhishek more after he played Hatoda Tyagi and Compounder, giving its due credit to the OTT platforms, he said,”OTT is the reason why many actors are surviving at this point. If we didn’t have this medium, we could be jobless. Due to OTT, many directors, actors, and writers have benefitted. This is what progress is. It has also given space to the fresh talent, and they are entering the industry via this medium.”
Abhishek has not only wowed us with his acting mettle, but he also steps in the shoe of a casting director, at times. Talking about how he aces the latter’s role, the actor said, “The industry is more receptive to new talent. The casting was a set pattern where we could not cast certain actors. It was very difficult for youngsters to get a break. Now, it’s much easier, many OTT-oriented directors want new, fresh talent. I feel extremely happy when I get to cast a new face.”
“Humare entertainment system mein kuch na kuch toh gadbad thi, kuch ek loophole that jisse naye logo ko chance nai mil raha tha par (There was a loop hole in our entertainment system but) things have changed, people are getting good opportunities. If you are talented, you have a safe career here,” he added.
Be it Stree or Mirzapur, Abhishek has carved a niche for strong supporting characters that have often overshadowed the main roles. Talking about all the love he receives, he said, “I feel extremely grateful. I used to hate the term, ‘hero and hero ka dost’. If you look into Bollywood movies, these ‘dost’ of the hero would be the shadow of the main guy. A hero, who won’t be able to communicate his issues or sadness through screenplay would need this ‘friend’.”
“In a web show, the burden does not lie single-handedly on the main character. The supporting actors have a good eight-nine episode to prove their craft. When Compounder happened it gave me hope, that I can do good parts and not worry about my length, and the same goes for Hatoda Tyagi,” he added.
Abhishek feels that writers are also bringing fresh storylines and characters to the table, that offers these supporting actors a space to showcase their talent.
“I would say that writers have taken the initiative of writing interesting characters alongside the protagonist; they are focusing duly on the supporting cast. Having an ensemble cast has become a regular thing in Hindi cinema now,” he added.
Talking about recognition and love, Abhishek has nothing but ‘gratitude’. “I never expected that I would get interviewed for Compounder. Sometimes when I read articles that say, ‘Abhishek Banerjee starred as Compounder in Mirzapur’, these are the terms they use for A-listers and biggies, but when you see such mentions, you feel that things have changed,” he said.
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