Arshad Warsi says he was replaced from a recent project without his knowledge

Arshad Warsi, a versatile actor known for his comic roles, has been making a mark in serious roles as well. In an exclusive interview with Indian Express, he expressed his happiness about breaking the image of a "comic actor" and being accepted in diverse roles.

Arshad recalled his experience in the critically-acclaimed film Seher, where he portrayed a serious cop, which was a departure from his comedy image. Despite his initial apprehensions, he was accepted in the role. He humorously mentioned winning a comic actor award for Jolly LLB, which was a serious role for him, and expressed his hope not to receive a similar award for his serious role in Asur.

"I am happy people are accepting me in a plethora of roles… they don't just see me as a comedian. As much as I love it, I have worked hard to do other roles as well, and people are seeing that finally. Both my diametrically opposite sides are being appreciated now." Arshad said.

The actor also revealed that he has experienced instances where he was replaced in projects at the last minute. However, he doesn't harbor bitterness about such situations and prefers to focus on the positive aspects. He recounted a recent incident where he was replaced in a film due to negative vibes on set and hierarchy issues. Despite feeling uncertain about the project, he remained committed, but being replaced turned out to be a blessing in disguise, saving him from potential conflicts and a negative experience.

"There is a film, which I was replaced recently. Before I was replaced I was told that I wouldn't be happy in this unit. I need to be happy where I am working, there should be a good vibe where you're working. There should be people laughing, people not abusing anybody or hating anybody. I don't like negativity. This place, I was told that there is a lot of hierarchy, ‘I am big, you're small' sort of thing go on, so when I took it I kept feeling ‘galti kar do yeh picture ke li (I did a mistake taking this up)'. However, I was committed, and I'll just do my job. And then, I was replaced without my knowledge. A part of me said that this is what God wanted, ‘thank you, you just saved me'. I was saved from something worse that was going to happen, maybe I would end up having a fight with the makers. I feel I have been saved from a bigger catastrophe."

Arshad credited the rise of OTT platforms for providing him with more substantial roles that showcase his acting skills. He expressed his comfort with both comedy and drama and appreciated the opportunities that OTT platforms offer for serious content.

"With OTT the serious content has suddenly gotten a platform and thankfully I have the best of both worlds - I am comfortable with comedy and I am comfortable with drama. Asur did that for me," he said.

Warsi expressed his gratitude for the acceptance he has received in different roles and is excited about the opportunities offered by OTT platforms. He remains committed to his craft, prioritizes age-appropriate casting, and maintains a positive outlook even in challenging situations.

(with inputs from Indian Express)