Vikrant Massey’s journey in the Indian film industry has been transformative, marked by a conscious effort to shatter the perceptions that have pigeonholed him earlier in his career. Known initially for his 12th Fail image, Massey is now deliberately selecting roles that challenge the traditional ideas attached to his persona, offering audiences new dimensions of his acting prowess.
Playing a morally ambiguous character has always been a creative thrill for an actor, and this holds especially true for Vikrant Massey. For instance, Massey thoroughly enjoys his involvement in the Haseen Dillruba universe. Together with co-star Taapsee Pannu, he has re-entered this thrilling romantic world in Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. The timing of their return is fortuitous, as Hindi cinema has evolved beyond its clean-cut heroes and heroines. “When we humanise characters that tread into grey zones, we make them relatable. Over the last eight to ten years, storytelling has significantly changed, allowing unconventional characters to become mainstream. Even if you portray a villain yet manage to humanise the character, you’ll find a lot of relatability,” Massey noted.
Transitioning from the intense and complex realm of Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, Vikrant Massey is moving into new territory with the Netflix thriller Sector 36, inspired by the infamous 2006 Nithari case. This leap is intentional: Massey wishes to continually surprise his audiences by moving far from his established on-screen persona of a boy-next-door. “Following 12th Fail [2023], there appears to be an expectation for me to do a certain type of film, but I have always been perceived as this poor, malnourished, simple boy-next-door. Fortunately, I’ve had writers and producers who saw beyond my physical appearance or perceived image. What you saw of me in the second half of Haseen Dillruba was a breath of fresh air, challenging those who stereotyped me,” he explained. The upcoming films he has lined up for the next year are consciously selected to dismantle this long-held image. “What I’m doing next is genuinely unexpected for me,” he shared.
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Moreover, Vikrant Massey is motivated by a deep-seated aversion to repetition. For him, doing the same thing over and over on screen is a surefire path to creative stagnation. He recalls some advice from his fellow actor, Jimmy Sheirgill: “You can’t keep doing the same thing.” Massey adds, “There are times when you take an intense character back home and times when you prefer a mindless comedy. It’s crucial to break the pattern because once a perception about you is created, it’s challenging to fight it. The key is to do something unexpected.”
This drive to avoid predictability and refuse complacency is evident in Massey’s recent roles. In Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, Massey portrays characters who navigate morally intricate worlds, resonating with viewers who find elements of their own experiences mirrored in these flawed personas. The resurgence of complex narratives in Hindi cinema provides a fertile ground for Massey’s talent. “In modern storytelling, protagonists are no longer confined to black-and-white moralities. This shift towards humanising even the most unconventional or villainous characters makes the story more engaging and relatable,” Massey explained.
As for Sector 36, Massey’s role in this thriller diving into the dark and gritty tale of the Nithari case not only exemplifies his desire for challenging roles but also underscores his ability to immerse himself deeply in character transformations that defy his earlier image. This diversity in selecting roles represents Massey’s strategic departure from his boy-next-door trope, setting a new precedent for how he’s perceived in the film industry.
In sum, Vikrant Massey’s career trajectory is a testament to his versatility and determination to push the envelope. By embracing a diverse range of characters—ranging from morally grey figures to intense dramatic roles—Massey continues to defy expectations and break free from the molds cast by his previous works. This conscious choice marks an exciting chapter in his career, promising audiences a series of unforgettable performances that challenge societal and cinematic norms.
