‘I continue to get largerthan-life Hindi film hero offers’

I want to do disruptive content that changes the notion of storytelling. TAHIR RAJ BHASIN, Actor

Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin, so far, has not played the quintessential Hindi film hero — larger-than-life, beating up multiple goons at one time or mouthing heavy dialogues. Bhasin’s body of work has included an antagonist (in Mardaani; 2014), a college student (in Chhichhore; 2019) and a man saved by his girlfriend (in Looop Lapeta).

Ask what made him stay away from the typical roles, and he says he has always received offers for the masala film hero. “There have been offers in the past, and there continue to be. But it depends on the kind of script one wants to do at the moment. I want disruptive content, something that changes what the notion of storytelling is. Of course, in time, if there is a different story that demands a character or the hero to be larger than life in order for the story to be told better, I will do it,” says the 35-year-old.

He cites the example of his web show, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein. Bhasin explains, “Chhichhore, Mardaani, all had characters mounted on a certain scale; they had an entry shot, costumes, dialogues, larger-than-life in the way they were presented. When I read the script of Yeh Kaali …Ihada question mark. I was playing a small-town boy belonging to a humble family. That was a challenge, ‘Will I be able to do that?’”

This is why he calls OTT a fabulous opportunity for the writers in the industry, as their challenge is how to keep the audiences engaged. “Writing is what comes into the forefront. The possibilities are just dizzying… the kind of stories that can be told. You can be a lead star in films and also be the lead of an OTT show, it’s a great time,” the actor signs off.*