If Bollywood actor Abhishek Banerjee were to beam with delight all the way to the The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Rocks stage in Abu Dhabi on September 29, it would be understandable. He's set to co-host the annual awards show alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi, known for his role in Gully Boy, at Etihad Arena. Additionally, he's receiving praise for his roles in Stree 2, which recently became the highest-grossing Hindi film, and Vedaa alongside John Abraham. In essence, the actor, who also works as a casting director, having been involved in projects like No One Killed Jessica and Rock On 2, is currently enjoying a significant moment in his career.
Banerjee, who portrays Jana in Stree 2, believes that the horror-comedy genre is a winning combination. He elaborates: “Comedy is universally loved in India. It's rare for a comedy film to fail here because it's an excellent way to relieve stress. When horror is added to the mix, it creates a magical fantasy world. Many people dislike horror because it scares them, but when comedy is combined with horror, the excitement and thrill reach a new level. This allows audiences to enjoy a genre they might have been hesitant to watch otherwise, making it more accessible.”
The versatile actor, known for his meticulous approach to character development, has played contrasting roles in his recent films. He attributes his ability to switch between roles to years of training. “When I aspired to be an actor, I wanted to explore all genres and play every possible role. I aimed to grasp dialects and understand the context of each world I entered. I'm fortunate to be doing that now, and I hope audiences appreciate my versatility,” he shares.
Upon arriving in Mumbai, Banerjee, star of Bhediya, sought substantial roles to establish his audience. His foray into casting was driven by necessity. “My journey has always been about finding work as an actor. In the early days in Mumbai, I took any job that came my way, including casting. I met a senior casting director who offered me a job as an assistant after I didn't get a role in a film I auditioned for. That experience continued for years. I immersed myself in casting because I couldn't find acting work.”
He reflects that while filmmakers were unaware of his talent, he also wasn't ready to step into the spotlight. “Theatre and camera work require different approaches. It took me time to understand the camera medium. Once I did, I started doing short films. Acting became a part-time job, and casting a full-time one. Eventually, I got the chance to be a full-time actor, and people trusted me with substantial roles,” he explains.
Today, Banerjee is focused on telling compelling stories. “I don't categorize my characters by whether they're good, bad, ugly, romantic, or comedic. What matters to me is the story. If it's interesting, I want to be part of it. If it's boring, I'm not interested, it's as simple as that.” For him, a script's readability is a clear indicator of his interest. “If I can read a script in one go, I love it. If it takes me time, I'm not invested.”
Banerjee's passion for intense roles and social-moral narratives drives his performances. “I excel in roles that involve societal values. If I get such a story, I perform better,” he says. As an actor who embraces a range of roles, from Mirzapur’s sycophant Compounder to the villain in Veeda, he finds a way to detach from the darkness of some narratives. “I'm just a professional actor reading lines and understanding the director's vision. Even dark characters can be therapeutic,” he notes, except for one role that deeply affected him.
“I was very young and played a child abuser, which hit me hard. I couldn't separate myself from the character, causing tension in my relationships. I realized I couldn't live like that. Now, when I'm in costume and makeup, I'm in character. The moment I remove them, I'm out of character.”
Banerjee excels at wearing the actor's mask. But what if he chose another path? “I'd be a chef,” he says. “I love cooking and sometimes baking. I regret not pursuing it professionally, as it could have been fruitful. But as an actor, I hope to play a chef in a film someday and do a great job.”
