I’m finally getting to play a positive character: Nikitin Dheer
You would easily recognise, and even typecast him as the bad boy of Bollywood, for he has mostly played negative characters on screen. Be it in Jodhaa Akbar (2008), Ready (2011), Dabangg 2 (2012), Chennai Express (2013), or Housefull 3 (2016), actor Nikitin Dheer has always managed to leave a lasting impression in the minds of the audience with his striking portrayal of villains. However, 2020 seems to be a tad different, as the actor will be seen in a positive role — something that he has yearned to do for a very long time.
“The film is yet to be announced and finally, I’ll be playing a positive character for the first time. I always wanted to play a good man. Since the age of 17, I started working as an assistant director and when I got my first break as a hero at the age of 23, the film was shelved midway. I went back to working as an AD. As life would have it, I was offered a villain’s role in Jodhaa Akbar. After Mission Istanbul (2008), I was supposed to do a film as a hero, but unfortunately, it got cancelled and I got stuck playing negative parts,” Nikitin shares.
After getting stereotyped as a villain in the industry, the 39year-old admits that he is trying hard to break free from the tag, and in the process, has become very selective about his work. “Unfortunately, stereotyping is the nature of the industry I’m in. But I am happy with all the villainous avatars that I have done so far and I keep getting offers to play grey shades, whether it is a comedy-drama, action thriller or a historical film,” he says.
Nikitin goes on to add, “I feel playing an antagonist is as important as playing a protagonist. There are very few directors who do justice to portraying antagonists well on screen, as it’s a very crucial part of the story.”
Not just playing a positive character, Nikitin is happy that he will also be making his debut in the digital space this year with a web series titled Rakhtaanchal. “I’m playing a very crazy character. It’s very crass in many ways, and is something very different from my previous work,” he shares.
After Mission Istanbul, I was supposed to do a film as a hero, but unfortunately, it got cancelled and I got stuck playing negative parts.
NIKITIN DHEER ACTOR