City
Epaper

Alexx O'Neill after his 'Ae Watan Mere Watan' stint: No such thing as a 'Britisher sort of role'

By IANS | Updated: April 1, 2024 17:40 IST

New Delhi, April 1 American-born actor and musician Alexx O'Nell, who recently featured in the Sara Ali Khan-starrer ...

Open in App

New Delhi, April 1 American-born actor and musician Alexx O'Nell, who recently featured in the Sara Ali Khan-starrer 'Ae Watan Mere Watan' has opened up on playing Britisher sort of roles, saying he is not afraid of being stereotyped or type-cast.

The movie pays homage to freedom fighter Usha Mehta, who is known for using an underground radio during the 1942 Quit India Movement against the British Raj.

It stars Sachin Khedekar, Abhay Verma, Sparsh Shrivastav, and Anand Tiwari in pivotal roles. Emraan Hashmi makes a special guest appearance.

Alexx, who plays the role of John Lyre, talked about the fear of getting stereotyped playing Britisher sort of roles.

Known for his work in 'Joker', 'Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3', Alexx told IANS: "Hollywood will never stop making films set in World War II, Vietnam, the civil rights movement, and so on. Similarly, I don't expect India will ever stop making films that take place in the British colonial period. These were tumultuous and generation-defining, and indeed, nation-defining, eras."

"And, as 'Ae Watan Mere Watan' has reminded us, there are so many stories yet to be told from the period when the British controlled India. I sincerely believe that there is no such thing as a 'Britisher sort of role' - just as there is no 'Indian sort of role'. While some of my films and series took place between the 1860s and late 1940s- they have all been very very different roles, sometimes positive, sometimes negative," shared Alexx, who featured in 'Raagdesh'.

Alexx is incredibly grateful for the opportunities that keep knocking on his door.

"Because of them, I'm not really afraid of being stereotyped or type-cast. I have simply too many options. If a role isn't right for me, I welcome the opportunity to turn instead to my music," he said.

Talking about 'Ae Watan Mere Watan', Alexx added: "It is not a documentary, and I sincerely believe that writers Kannan Iyer and Darab Farooqui did their very best to be historically accurate, while at the same time showing the human side to this larger than life personality - which is a very difficult tightrope to walk."

Directed by Kannan Iyer, 'Ae Watan Mere Watan' is a Dharmatic Entertainment Production, produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishr.

It is streaming on Prime Video.

--IANS

sp/dan

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Open in App

Related Stories

International"Within 24 hours...": Trump again claims he stopped India-Pak conflict through tariffs

Other SportsAsia Cup: Para-archer Sheetal Devi makes history, qualifies for first able-bodied international meet

CricketQuinton de Kock breaks Gibbs ODI ton record as South Africa trounce Pakistan in 2nd ODI

EntertainmentShefali Shah calls 'Delhi Crime' a "respectful show", Rasika Duggal expresses "pride"

EntertainmentRobert Downey Jr. shares rare picture of his wife, and daughter on their birthdays

Entertainment Realted Stories

Entertainment"Felt it was something special": Rajesh Tailang recalls first screening of Delhi Crime series

EntertainmentRupali Ganguly aka Anupamaa fulfils her senior citizen fan's wish 

Entertainment'Gremlins 3' to hit theatres worldwide in November 2027

EntertainmentOG 'Boogie Woogie' gang dances to '3 Shaukk' with Meezaan Jafri

EntertainmentVishwak Sen starrer 'Funky' to release on April 3, 2026