2 Years of Sector 36: “I Had Never Had the Opportunity to Play a Character Like Prem Singh Before,” Says Vikrant Massey

As Sector 36 completes two years, Nation Award winner Vikrant Massey’s knack for bringing real-life characters to life on screen stands out once again through his dark and complex portrayal of Prem Singh, a character inspired by a real-life murderer. Coming right after the success of 12th Fail where he plays an underdog , who overcomes extreme poverty and failure to become an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Vikrant consciously chose a role that challenged the perception audiences had begun to form of him and allowed him to explore an entirely different side of his craft.

“I strongly believe in my instincts. When I read a script and it evokes the emotions it is trying to evoke, I can gauge whether it will do the same for the audience I want to make it for. It just felt right when I read the script of Sector 36. It was a film that went against the tide. People were trying to typecast me after the success of a conventional film like 12th Fail. Even before that, they had tried to do the same. After films like Haseen Dillruba and Death in the Gunj, I was often approached for sensitive, guy-next-door roles, characters who weren’t conventional heroes.”

Reflecting on his choice to play Prem Singh, he added, “I didn’t let them typecast me then, but after 12th Fail, I thought they might try again, that if there is a role of a simpleton or a village guy, call Vikrant. I wanted to break that perception. Besides, I had never had the opportunity to play a character like Prem Singh before.”

What added another layer to Vikrant’s performance was the fact that Sector 36 was inspired by the real-life Nithari killings and its characters were rooted in a deeply disturbing real-world case. Instead of approaching Prem Singh as a stereotypical fictional villain, Vikrant brought a sense of realism to the character, paying attention to the nuances, mannerisms and emotional shifts that made the portrayal feel grounded and unsettling. His ability to bring a sense of reality to characters inspired by real-life events has been an important part of what makes his performances resonate.

His creative journey has since expanded beyond acting as well. Through Musafir Café, Vikrant has explored his entrepreneurial side, while Homemade Stories has seen him take on a larger role as a producer and explore greater creative ownership behind the camera.

Up next, Vikrant will be seen stepping into the role of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in White, adding yet another distinct character to his diverse body of work.