COMMON QUESTIONS

1. Early Career and Background

• How did you get started in the entertainment industry? Was acting something you always wanted to pursue?
• You started your career as a casting director. How did that role shape your approach to acting?
• What were some of the challenges you faced when transitioning from casting director to actor?

2. Acting Process and Style

• Your characters are often quite intense and unique. How do you approach a new role and develop your characters?
• Do you prefer to work on characters that are completely different from yourself, or do you relate to them in some way?
• How do you prepare for emotionally demanding roles, like in ‘Paatal Lok’ or ‘Stree’?
• Do you prefer working in films, web series, or television? What’s the difference in approach for you?

3. Career Milestones and Popular Roles

• Your role in ‘Paatal Lok’ became quite iconic. What was the process like for preparing for your character, Tope Singh?
• How did you feel when you received such positive feedback for ‘Paatal Lok’ and your character’s portrayal?
• What was your experience working on the set of ‘Stree’? How did you bring humor and depth to your role?
• How was your experience working in ‘Mirzapur’? What attracted you to the show?

4. Transition to OTT Platforms

• With the rise of digital content and OTT platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, how do you see the future of Indian web series and films?
• How has the digital content space allowed you to explore different kinds of roles compared to traditional cinema?
• OTT platforms have led to more realistic, complex characters. How do you feel about the shift in storytelling from mainstream films to web series?

5. Industry Insights and Changes

• How has the entertainment industry changed over the years, especially with the boom of OTT platforms in India?
• Do you think there is a difference in how characters and stories are written for web series versus mainstream Bollywood films?
• What role do you think digital content will play in the future of Indian cinema?

6. Personal and Philosophical Questions

• Is there any particular role you’ve played that has had a lasting impact on you personally?
• What do you believe makes a great actor? Is it more about natural talent or the hard work and preparation behind the scenes?
• Who are some actors or directors you admire, and have they influenced your own approach to acting?
• How do you balance personal life with the demands of being an actor?
• What motivates you to keep challenging yourself in your acting career?

7. Future Projects and Aspirations

• What’s next for you in your career? Are there any particular genres or types of roles you’re excited to explore?
• Are there any dream roles or collaborations you hope to pursue in the future?
• Do you have any interest in taking on directing or producing projects in the future, given your experience as a casting director?

8. Collaborations and Working Relationships

• You’ve worked with a variety of actors and directors. How important is collaboration in your creative process?
• What’s your experience working with co-stars on projects like ‘Paatal Lok’ and ‘Stree’?
• How does your role as a casting director impact the way you work with other actors on set?

UNIQUE QUESTIONS

1. Career Development and Creative Journey

• As someone who started as a casting director, what are some key lessons you learned from behind the scenes that have influenced the way you approach acting?
• How do you decide which roles to take on, and what is the most unconventional role you’ve been offered that you almost took up but didn’t?
• Having worked on both mainstream Bollywood and digital content, how do you think the audience’s expectations differ between these two mediums?
• In your opinion, how has the portrayal of characters from marginalized backgrounds evolved in the Indian entertainment industry over the years, and where do you see it heading?
• Which role in your career challenged you the most and pushed you out of your comfort zone?

2. Approach to Acting and Character Creation

• You’ve played a range of characters, from dark and intense to lighthearted and funny. How do you mentally switch between these different personas on set?
• What’s the most unconventional preparation method you’ve used to understand a character better?
• If you could play any historical figure or real-life personality in a biographical film, who would it be, and why?
• Do you prefer playing characters that are morally ambiguous or clear-cut? What kind of character do you find most compelling to portray?
• You often take on roles with intense emotional depth. What kind of emotional preparation do you undergo before filming these kinds of scenes?

3. Insights on Digital Platforms and OTT Revolution

• How do you feel about the increased representation of diverse Indian languages and regional cultures on OTT platforms? Do you think this is the future of Indian storytelling?
• The rise of OTT content has led to more nuanced storytelling. Do you believe this shift in narrative approach is reflective of changing societal norms and values?
• If you were to create your own original series for a digital platform, what kind of story would you like to tell? Would it be a thriller, drama, or something completely different?
• How do you feel about the boundaries between cinema and web series blurring on OTT platforms? Do you see a difference in the creative freedom offered by these mediums?

4. Industry Insights and Social Responsibility

• How do you think Indian cinema and web series can evolve to tackle social issues in a way that both entertains and educates the audience?
• As an actor and casting director, how do you think the industry can offer more opportunities to newcomers and underrepresented voices in the industry?
• What do you think is the biggest misconception about actors and the film industry, and how would you like to change that narrative?
• How has your perspective on the industry changed over the years, especially regarding the influence of social media on public opinion and a project’s success?

5. Personal Insights and Philosophy

• As a versatile actor, what is one genre or type of role you haven’t explored yet but are eager to?
• You’ve spoken about the importance of both hard work and passion. If you had to choose, what would you say is the most crucial quality for an actor to have?
• Do you have any personal mantras or rituals that you follow to keep your creativity flowing during long or intense shoots?
• What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring actors who are just starting their careers in an industry as competitive as this?
• If you weren’t in the entertainment industry, what career path do you think you’d have pursued, and why?

6. Collaborations and Mentorship

• Having worked alongside many talented actors and directors, is there anyone in particular you’ve learned the most from, and how have they influenced your craft?
• What qualities do you look for when collaborating with new directors or co-stars? Is there a particular type of synergy you prefer on set?
• If you could collaborate with any international filmmaker or actor, who would it be, and why?

7. Fun and Offbeat Questions

• What’s a project or character you’ve worked on that your friends and family still laugh about, and why?
• In a parallel universe, if you weren’t an actor, would you ever see yourself in a completely different profession—perhaps something as quirky as a stand-up comedian or a chef?
• You often portray intense and serious roles, but do you have any hidden talents or hobbies that surprise people when they discover them?
• If your life were turned into a movie, what would be the genre, and who would play you?