“I was genuinely surprised when Nikkhil Advani Sir approached me for Vedaa,” says Abhishek Banerjee, on why he’s rarely offered negative roles.

Fresh off his quirky and cool appearance in Toaster, Abhishek Banerjee continues to prove his versatility with every project he takes on. Known for effortlessly slipping into diverse roles from the menacing to the memorable comic Abhishek has carved a unique space for himself in the industry.

While audiences have seen glimpses of his darker side in projects like Ajji, his chilling turn as Hatoda Tyagi in Paatal Lok, and in Vedaa, the actor reveals that he doesn’t often get offered negative or grey characters.

Sharing his thoughts, Abhishek says, “I don’t often get offered negative roles. In fact, there have been times when I’ve gone up to directors and said, ‘Yaar, give me that part I’ll do it.’ I’ve explored shades like that in Ajji and as Hatoda Tyagi in Paatal Lok, but more often than not, the response has been, ‘No, we’re looking for someone with stronger physical presence for the role’.”

He further adds, “That’s why when Nikkhil Advani sir approached me for Vedaa, it genuinely surprised me. I even asked him if he was sure I could pull it off, especially since it was opposite John Abraham. But his conviction gave me a lot of confidence. So, I don’t really get such offers yet but I have a feeling something along those lines will come my way soon. I think people tend to approach me for more human, grounded negative characters rather than something exaggerated or larger-than-life. That said, I haven’t boxed myself into any category. I’m open to everything that comes my way.”

Despite this, Abhishek’s range remains undeniable. From winning hearts as the lovable yet hilarious Jana in Stree to earning critical acclaim and awards for his performance in Stolen, the actor continues to strike a balance between commercial success and performance-driven cinema.

On the work front, Abhishek Banerjee continues to stay busy with an exciting lineup, including Lust Stories 3, where he will be seen alongside Konkona Sen Sharma. He also has an upcoming project with Gajraj Rao and Ahsaas Channa, as well as the Tamil film Legacy co-starring R. Madhavan.