City
Epaper

. “I Was Genuinely Surprised”: Abhishek Banerjee on Landing a Rare Negative Role in Vedaa

By Lokmat Times Desk | Updated: April 24, 2026 12:11 IST

Fresh off his quirky and cool appearance in Toaster, Abhishek Banerjee continues to prove his versatility with every project ...

Open in App

Fresh off his quirky and cool appearance in Toaster, Abhishek Banerjee continues to prove his versatility with every project he takes on. Known for effortlessly slipping into diverse roles from the menacing to the memorable comic Abhishek has carved a unique space for himself in the industry.

While audiences have seen glimpses of his darker side in projects like Ajji, his chilling turn as Hatoda Tyagi in Paatal Lok, and in Vedaa, the actor reveals that he doesn’t often get offered negative or grey characters. 

Sharing his thoughts, Abhishek says, “I don’t often get offered negative roles. In fact, there have been times when I’ve gone up to directors and said, ‘Yaar, give me that part I’ll do it.’ I’ve explored shades like that in Ajji and as Hatoda Tyagi in Paatal Lok, but more often than not, the response has been, ‘No, we're looking for someone with stronger physical presence for the role’.”

He further adds, “That’s why when Nikkhil Advani sir approached me for Vedaa, it genuinely surprised me. I even asked him if he was sure I could pull it off, especially since it was opposite John Abraham. But his conviction gave me a lot of confidence. So, I don’t really get such offers yet but I have a feeling something along those lines will come my way soon. I think people tend to approach me for more human, grounded negative characters rather than something exaggerated or larger-than-life. That said, I haven’t boxed myself into any category. I’m open to everything that comes my way.”

Despite this, Abhishek’s range remains undeniable. From winning hearts as the lovable yet hilarious Jana in Stree to earning critical acclaim and awards for his performance in Stolen, the actor continues to strike a balance between commercial success and performance-driven cinema.

On the work front, Abhishek Banerjee continues to stay busy with an exciting lineup, including Lust Stories 3, where he will be seen alongside Konkona Sen Sharma. He also has an upcoming project with Gajraj Rao and Ahsaas Channa, as well as the Tamil film Legacy co-starring R. Madhavan.

Tags: Abhishek BanerjeeFilm NewsEntertainment NewsNikhil advani
Open in App

Related Stories

EntertainmentOTT Releases This Week: Prathichaya, Happy Raj, Band Melam, if Wishes Could Kill, 24 and More; Check Full List of New Movies and Web Series for Weekend Watch

EntertainmentSalman Khan–Nayanthara Film Set for Eid 2027 Release; Actor Shares First Look from Sets

EntertainmentKritika Kamra on Her Viral ‘Matka King’ Look: “Every Detail Was Crafted to Capture the Grace of the ’70s”

EntertainmentDhurandhar 2 Box Office Collection Day 36: Ranveer Singh’s Film Mints Over Rs 1,122 Crore in India; Check 6th Thursday Earnings

Entertainment“I Never Thought About Being the Protagonist”: Mona Singh on Her Journey and Success

Entertainment Realted Stories

EntertainmentSiju Wilson's medical crime thriller 'Dose' release postponed

EntertainmentNew character posters from ‘Krishnavataram’ promise epic saga of Lord Krishna's legacy

EntertainmentRakesh Bedi quashes reports of getting paid bonus of Rs 1 crore for ‘Dhurandhar’

Entertainment'WOW' from 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' out now, Varun Dhawan calls it "my birthday jam"

Entertainment"Thoda durr ki sochna chahiye...": Salman Khan, Nayanthara film set for Eid 2027 release