Abhilash Thapliyal: My characters should be the hero

He started his OTT career in 2017 with Inmates. But the project that earned actor Abhilash Thapliyal love and fame was the 2021 web series Aspirants. While he played one of the key characters, SK, on the show, Thapliyal is thrilled that the recently released spin-off of TVF’s Aspirants, SK Sir Ki Class, sees him as the protagonist. He talks about his journey, finding success on the web and more.

From playing a key character to now having a show centred on you — how does it feel?

One of my friends said: From being the smallest face on the Aspirants poster to having your own show — you have come a long way. As an actor, this gives you so much confidence, especially for someone like me who started out as an RJ and came to Mumbai without any plans of becoming an actor. Having done projects like Aspirants, Faadu, Blurr (both 2022) and SK Sir Ki Class, I feel I am on the right track.

Do you ever feel the urge to play the hero in a project?

All this while, I did whatever came my way. My focus was always on my work and not on the number of lines I had. Even now, all that matters to me is the director and the importance of my character. My objective is never to play the hero. I want my characters to be the hero. It should have the potential to leave an impression on people’s minds. People have always seen me as the hero’s friend or a comic character, because that’s the kind of guy I am. But, ever since I’ve done Aspirants, Faadu, etc., people have started looking at me as a serious actor.

When I went for the shoot of Blurr, it was one day of work but when the film was released, I was the antagonist in the story. Mene jo kabhi expect hi nahi kara, wo milrha hai. I don’t know if it talent or luck. Without having any expectations and greed, if I am getting a film with Taapsee, a show like SK sir ki class, direction under Ashwini Iyer Tiwari in Faadu, getting acquainted with Anurag Kashyap, what more could I ask for. All this is extra for me.

There’s a perception that no matter how successful you get on OTT, theatrical success is what really counts. What’s your take on that?

The definition of success for the world is not my concern. What matters to me is playing a role with full honesty, so that my performance receives love from the audience. The medium — theatre, OTT or TV — doesn’t matter. Whatever love and appreciation I have received has been for my work on OTT. I had one theatrical release (Dil Juunglee; 2018) and nobody talked about it. I won’t go for theatrical projects just for the sake of it.

Is there something that you believe OTT offers and cinema doesn’t?

Talent! The amount of talent that OTT has identified and nourished in the past few years is commendable. These actors were working even before OTT happened, but film industry never gave them that opportunity to show their potential. OTT’s risk taking appetite is a lot more than cinema and there is definitely a reason behind. People go to theatres to watch stars. That’s something OTT offers and cinema lacks.