Mann Sundar actor Ankur Bharddwaj believes that being typecast is a common challenge in the entertainment industry, especially when audiences appreciate an actor in a particular kind of role. However, he says he consciously tries to explore different characters and shades with every project.
“Being typecast is a common thing in this industry, especially when the audience has liked you in a particular role. I have felt it too, but I consciously try to explore different characters and different shades. For me, it is important that I don’t stick myself to an image and learn new things from every project,” says Ankur.
The actor is also keen on taking up roles that challenge him creatively and allow him to present a different perspective. While he enjoys meaningful characters, Ankur does not want to choose projects simply for the controversy they may create. “I would love to do roles that challenge me as an actor and give a different perspective. I don’t like to do roles that create controversy. I feel we need more real and relatable characters which are not simply good or bad, but have deep human emotions. There are so many untold stories in India that need to be explored,” he says.
For Ankur, choosing a project is also about whether the character excites him creatively and whether the story aligns with his values. He admits that he has turned down projects when they did not feel right for him. “If a character doesn’t excite me creatively or if the show doesn’t align with my values and vision, I respectfully say no. For me, the quality of work matters the most,” he shares.
Talking about voicing his creative opinions on set, Ankur says that while there can be hesitation in the beginning, experience teaches an actor how to put forward their thoughts respectfully. “In the beginning, you feel hesitation, but with experience you understand that your opinions must be expressed respectfully. It is important to know how to communicate your thoughts while also respecting the people you are working with,” he says.
When it comes to actors who inspire him through their choices, Ankur names Irrfan Khan, Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. According to him, their careers are proof that an actor does not need to limit himself to a fixed image. “Irrfan Khan, Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui inspire me. Looking at them, you feel that an actor should not have a fixed image. They have played such different characters and have constantly explored themselves as performers,” he says.
Ankur also believes that entertainment can play an important role in creating awareness and inspiring audiences. For him, even a simple story can leave an impact if it carries the right message. “I feel every story must have a message. Even a simple story can help create awareness and inspire people. Entertainment has the power to make people think, and I would always want to be part of stories that have something meaningful to say,” he adds.
Looking ahead, Ankur says he wants his body of work to reflect his versatility rather than a particular image. He hopes that audiences will remember him for the variety of characters he has portrayed. “I feel when people look at my career, I want them to see how different the characters I have played are. I don’t want to be remembered for just one kind of role. I want my work to show that I kept exploring, learning and growing as an actor,” Ankur concludes.
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