In a recent disclosure, actor Abhishek Banerjee, widely acclaimed for his performances in the recently released films Stree 2 and Vedaa, recounted the intriguing journey of how he nabbed these diverse roles. Both films, which debuted to an eager audience on August 15, see Banerjee portraying two vastly contrasting characters, a testament to his versatility as an actor.
Abhishek Banerjee. Pic/Yogen Shah
Actor Abhishek Banerjee, lauded for his roles in the film industry, delved into the intricacies of how he managed to secure such polar opposite roles in Stree 2 and Vedaa. The actor, who played pivotal roles in both movies released on the same day, took the opportunity to reflect on the path that led him to these unique characters.
In an engaging conversation with ANI, Banerjee elaborated on his association with the successful horror-comedy franchise, Stree. Directed by the visionary Amar Kaushik, Stree has carved a niche for itself in Indian cinema, and Banerjee recounted the circumstances of his initial involvement.
“I was always quite timid when it came to approaching prominent directors. But one day, I mustered up the courage to ask Amar Kaushik ji to remember me for any future roles. He had watched my performance as a menacing villain in a film helmed by Devashish Makhija. To my surprise, he compared me to the legendary Amrish Puri ji, which was extraordinarily flattering. When Stree was in the making, I reminded him of my request for a role.”
When the time came for casting in Stree 2, Amar Kaushik extended an offer that Banerjee found perplexing. “He offered me the character of Jana. My first reaction was to decline. Being a Delhiite, I often sought roles imbued with a certain edge, much like my role in Vedaa. However, Amar ji perceived a sense of goofiness and sweetness in me that I hadn’t noticed. He was adamant that I play Jana, and eventually, I conceded,” shared Banerjee.
Switching gears, Banerjee also narrated his experience of bagging a role in Vedaa, which stars the flamboyant John Abraham.
. “I had long harbored the desire to work with Nikkhilji. We had crossed paths at various events. I made it a point to express my interest in discussing potential collaborations and asked him to invite me to his office. Despite his assurances, the invite never came. Persistence paid off when I met him again and reminded him of my interest. This time, it worked. He called me on a Sunday to his unoccupied office, where he outlined the story of Vedaa. I was instantly drawn to it and knew I had to be part of this project.”
Banerjee found himself facing a significant professional challenge, starring opposite an action icon like John Abraham. “Acting alongside John is a considerable responsibility. I was keen to ensure that the villain I embodied did not come across as weak or disappointing to the audience. This role presented a substantial learning curve and a formidable challenge, as I needed to convince viewers of my character’s potential to overpower John’s, even without the advantage of a bulked-up physique,” said Banerjee.
Vedaa features John Abraham and Sharvari in the lead roles. Under the direction of Nikkhil Advani and scripted by Aseem Arrora, Vedaa is a production of Zee Studios, Umesh Kr Bansal, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, John Abraham, with co-production by Minnakshi Das.
As for Stree 2, Banerjee reprises his role as Jana alongside a stellar cast including Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurrana, Shraddha Kapoor, and Pankaj Tripathi. The movie, featuring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao at its helm, faced stiff competition at the Box Office, releasing alongside titles like Khel Khel Mein and Vedaa on Independence Day. Despite this fierce rivalry, Stree 2 swiftly emerged as the audience’s favorite, surpassing its competitors by a substantial margin.
This narrative, derived from a third-party syndicated feed, underscores the complex career paths and decision-making processes of an actor who deftly manoeuvres through the dichotomous world of cinema, portraying diverse characters with equal aplomb.
