Actor Abhishek Banerjee has been garnering much acclaim for his impressive performances in the films “Stree 2” and “Vedaa,” both released on August 15. The versatile actor, known for his adaptability and compelling screen presence, recently shared the journey of how he secured two vastly different roles in these films.
In a detailed conversation with ANI, Banerjee shed light on his path to becoming a part of the highly successful “Stree” franchise, directed by Amar Kaushik. He began by recalling his initial approach to Amar Kaushik, whom he described as one of the most visionary filmmakers of contemporary cinema. Banerjee admitted that he was often too shy to reach out to big directors but took a leap of faith with Kaushik.
“Hesitantly, one day, I told Amar Kaushik ji to consider me for his future projects. After seeing my performance as a dark villain in a film by Devashish Makhija, Amar ji complimented me, saying I reminded him of the legendary Amrish Puri ji,” Banerjee recounted. This significant accolade became a turning point. “Later, when ‘Stree’ was in development, I reminded him of my request for a role.”
When casting commenced for “Stree 2,” Kaushik saw a fit for Banerjee in the role of Jana. However, the actor initially declined. “He offered me the role of Jana, but my initial reaction was to refuse. Being from Delhi, I generally seek roles that demand a certain attitude, much like my character in ‘Vedaa’. But Amar ji saw a goofiness and sweetness in me that I hadn’t noticed. He insisted I take on the character of Jana, leading to an opportunity to portray such a wonderful character,” Banerjee explained, highlighting Kaushik’s vision and belief in his potential.
Parallelly, Banerjee also narrated his experience landing a role in the film “Vedaa,” where he stars opposite the prolific John Abraham. For years, Banerjee had aspired to work with Nikkhil Advani. “I had met Nikkhilji at various events and expressed my eagerness to collaborate. I once requested him to discuss work over a meeting, but he never followed up.
.” Persistence paid off as Banerjee recounted another encounter where he reminded Advani of his interest. Eventually, Advani invited him to his office on a quiet Sunday, a meeting that Banerjee describes as fateful.
“I felt like Nikkhilji was someone who shared my relentless work ethic, never sitting idle. During this meeting, he narrated the story of ‘Vedaa,’ and I knew I had to be part of it,” said Banerjee.
Banerjee recognized that standing alongside a towering action star like John Abraham carried significant weight. “Playing a villain against someone of John’s caliber is a massive responsibility. I wanted to ensure the audience felt that my character could realistically challenge John’s, despite not possessing an imposing physical build. It was a dual opportunity – a great learning experience and an immense challenge,” he elaborated.
“Vedaa,” directed by Nikkhil Advani, also stars Sharvari in a leading role and is penned by Aseem Arrora. The film is produced by a powerhouse team comprising Zee Studios, Umesh Kr Bansal, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, John Abraham, and co-produced by Minnakshi Das.
In contrast, Banerjee’s role as Jana in “Stree 2” places him in an ensemble cast featuring Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurrana, Shraddha Kapoor, and Pankaj Tripathi. The film, leveraging the success of its predecessor, faced substantial competition at the box office from “Khel Khel Mein” and “Vedaa” but emerged as the audience’s preferred choice by a considerable margin.
“Stree 2,” directed by Amar Kaushik, continues to charm audiences with its unique blend of horror and comedy, a genre that has found a special place in contemporary Indian cinema. The reception of Banerjee’s character Jana has been particularly noteworthy, attributed to the actor’s adeptness in bringing out the relatability and humor of the character.
Banerjee’s journey from hesitance to acclaim in “Stree 2” and “Vedaa” underscores his dynamic capability as an actor. He remains an inspiring figure whose determination and versatile artistry continue to earn him accolades in the industry.
This story, sourced from third-party syndicated feeds, underlines the actor’s rise and the nuanced performances that have become his trademark. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, or reliability of the content. The platform reserves the sole right to alter, delete, or remove content, maintaining absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
