Tahir Raj Bhasin completes ten years in the film industry. He shared his journey from ‘Mardaani’ to ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen 2’ and his experiences of playing different characters. He told how he avoided being typecast and focused on quality work.
Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin, who received a lot of accolades for his debut film ‘Mardaani’, has come a decade long journey in the industry this year. In this journey, he left his mark in films like ‘Manto’, ‘Chhichhore’, ’83’. These days, Tahir, who is making headlines for the series ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen 2’, says that he always wanted to become a long race horse by doing quality work instead of quantity. Here is this special conversation with him:
You have completed ten years in the industry. How do you look at the journey of this decade?
I feel as if Mardaani was released the day before yesterday, a very veteran feeling comes when people say that it has been ten years.
I consider myself very lucky to have got the opportunity to work with such great directors. I started with late Pradeep Sarkar ji, who selected me out of 500 boys. He has a huge contribution in my acting career, because when I was struggling, when I used to go for auditions, everyone used to ask, what have you done? Whereas, he asked what can you do? This difference in questions changed a lot, so I couldn’t have dreamed of a better start. I consider myself lucky for the kind of characters I have played from there till now, as in our industry, the one who has a good debut, does the same kind of roles in the next three-four, but I waited and Nandita Das’s ‘Manto’, which was a period drama. In that I played the role of 40s actor Shyam Chaddha. That film was very popular at Cannes and MAMI Film Festival. Many directors saw this film in Mami and they also saw me from a different viewpoint, due to which I felt different in ’Chhichhore’, ’83’, ‘Looop Lapeta’, ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen’, ‘Sultan of Delhi’. Could do the character.
You mentioned type casting, which is a sad truth of the industry. Did you also get offered similar negative roles after ‘Mardaani’? Was this the reason why you appeared on screen again after a gap of some time?
Yes. I have always believed that be a horse of long race. It is not that if one of your films becomes a hit, then you start doing four films of the same type. I myself will get bored in that and my audience will also get bored. My endeavor has always been that if my audience reads my name or sees my face on the poster, they feel that there will be something different in this film. This is my goal, so it takes some time to achieve such a goal. I also believe that your future in the film industry is not just decided by the projects you say yes to, it is also decided by the ones you say no to. saying no is equally crucial here.
It is indeed a big thing to understand this and have that patience at the beginning of your career. You learned this a long time ago?
Yes,I became an actor not because I wanted to do something different. If you had to work just for the sake of working, then you could have done any job. If you want to become an actor or a star, you will have to do something different and I have learned this from those actors after watching whom I got into acting. Be it Shahrukh khan, late Irrfan Khan or Aamir Khan. In the nineties, when we used to watch his films, like Shahrukh’s ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na’, ‘baazigar’, all three were different.Similarly, Aamir’s ‘Rangeela’, ‘Sarfarosh’, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, all were different. It is true that it requires patience and self-confidence,but I had also understood long ago that in this illusionary city no one gets anything more than time and luck. thus, I never felt any kind of disappointment.
How did you understand the character of Vikrant in the series,his disappointment and frustration as fate constantly plays tricks on him?
For me,Vikrant is a simple boy with a very common dream,who wants to live a simple life. Wants to become something on his own. There is an innocence and idealism in him and the fun was that when a powerful power collides with his idealism, what should he do? There were only two ways for him to die or be killed, so this was a very exciting thing for me. Secondly, I had never done the romance genre before this series. I did action, I did drama. Was also doing sports drama Chhichhore and 83. Whereas, when there was a chance for romance, there were not one but two girls. My character falls in love with one, while the other goes after her wholeheartedly and such a story where a girl falls in love with such passion was a new thing in Bollywood. It was important for me to get into the mind of Vikrant, especially in this season because he thinks one thing, says one thing, does another. For this, I make a lot of notes of every scene and enjoy that process as much as acting on the set.
You started your career with the big screen.These days he is seen more on OTT. Do you ever miss the big screen?
That was according to the time, because when I came to Mumbai 10 years ago, there was no OTT.I am working for both. Some stories can be told on the big screen in two hours. Whereas, there are some stories which are better told in chapters like a book. Rest, all those working in OTT are also cinema people, it’s just that the medium is different, so I am working in both and both have their own place.
How has Tahir Raj Bhasin approached the challenges of typecasting throughout his acting career?
Interview Between Time.news Editor adn tahir Raj bhasin
Editor: Welcome, Tahir! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today as you celebrate a decade in the film industry. Ten years just flew by,didn’t they?
Tahir raj Bhasin: Thank you! It feels surreal,honestly. I often say it feels like ‘Mardaani’ was released just yesterday. Reflecting on this journey brings a sense of nostalgia, and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had.
Editor: Speaking of opportunities,you’ve worked with some remarkable directors throughout your career.how do you feel those experiences have shaped you as an actor?
Tahir raj Bhasin: Absolutely! Working with great directors, especially the late Pradeep Sarkar, was monumental for my growth. He picked me out of hundreds for ‘Mardaani’ and posed the question, “What can you do?” instead of the usual “What have you done?” That difference in perspective fundamentally changed how I approached auditions and roles.
Editor: That’s an interesting approach! It sounds like it really encouraged you to explore different facets of your talent right from the start. You’ve certainly taken that to heart with diverse roles in films like ‘Manto,’ ‘Chhichhore,’ and ’83.’
Tahir Raj Bhasin: Yes, and I feel fortunate that my debut didn’t pigeonhole me. Many actors find themselves typecast after a successful debut, but I took the time to choose projects carefully. For instance, playing Shyam Chaddha in ‘Manto’ allowed me to showcase a different side, which then opened doors in various genres, including more mainstream fare like ‘Chhichhore’ and ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen.’
Editor: You mentioned typecasting, which is a real concern in this industry. Did you find yourself being offered similar negative roles following ’Mardaani’?
Tahir Raj bhasin: Definitely. After ‘Mardaani,’ there were abundant offers for similar characters. But I’ve always believed in being a long-distance horse. If one film resonates with audiences, it doesn’t mean I should follow that pattern repeatedly.I want my audiences to feel excited and intrigued every time they see my name on a project—knowing they’ll get something different each time.
Editor: That’s a refreshing take! It’s interesting how you view the importance of saying “no” to certain roles. Can you elaborate on that?
Tahir Raj Bhasin: Of course! I firmly beleive that your future in the film industry isn’t solely based on the projects you accept, but also on those you turn down. Saying no can be as crucial as saying yes, especially if it helps to curate a unique portfolio that really represents your artistic journey. Quality should always precede quantity.
Editor: It’s evident that you are very intentional about your choices. As you continue to take on new roles—like in the upcoming ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen 2’—what’s next for you? How do you plan to challenge yourself further?
Tahir Raj Bhasin: I’m excited about ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen 2’ and the character I’ve developed for it. Going forward, I want to keep pushing boundaries—perhaps explore genres I haven’t tackled yet and collaborate with newer filmmakers, taking risks that can provide fresh narratives. Continuous growth is essential for an artist.
Editor: It’s inspiring to see your commitment to evolving as an actor. As you reflect on these ten years, what’s one lesson you’ve learned that you think aspiring actors should take to heart?
Tahir Raj Bhasin: Patience is key. The industry can be unpredictable, filled with pressures to conform. But taking the time to find what resonates with you—and focusing on quality—will pay off in the long run. Remember, every opportunity shapes you, whether it’s a yes or a no.
Editor: Well said, Tahir! Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us. Here’s to many more years of your remarkable journey in film!
Tahir Raj Bhasin: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to what’s next!