Hoping I won’t be just limited to playing dark parts, says Abhishek
spanning 11 years. My first experience came as a singer at the age of 13. I am blessed that I have done projects where I was remembered for my roles. I am archived forever with those characters.”
Someone who was not considered an actor has suddenly become one — that’s how Abhishek Bannerjee describes how things changed for him after Stree (2018). The actor played the role of Janna, in the film, and those who have watched it know how much that part stood out in the narrative.
Apart from getting good offers, things changed for him in other ways, too. The actor, who is also a casting director, says many come to him now with scripts where they have at least one character for him in it, while asking him to rope in more talents for the project. “Earlier, when I used to get scripts and liked it, I’d be like ‘I wish I could do this part’, and would even request the makers to consider me. Things didn’t work out many times. But now things have started looking up,” he says. Surprisingly, it’s the actor now who has been declining a lot of offers. “I think of the talents who had approached us for work and aisa na ho main kisi aur ka chance maar raha hoon. I’m happy with my career right now and want to help those who are dreaming of becoming actors… Made an exception for Amar Kaushik’s Bala. He was my first director; when heaskedmetodoa part, I initially said no but later I gave in,” he reveals. Abhishek’s upcoming projects also include Made In China, and two web shows (in Bengali and Hindi). Much like his character in the web show Typewriter, Abhishek will be playing a negative role in the Bengali show. He has got a few more offers to play antagonist. Ask him if he fears getting stereotyped and the actor says, “These days there are many mediums and platforms that are churning interesting content and concentrating on variety. I have played positive, negative, romantic roles so far, and hope that I won’t be just limited to playing dark parts.”