Anshuman Jha on playing a serial killer in both, an upcoming web Abhay show, and film Midnight Delhi
Anshuman Jha in Abhay
"I modelled my character on a hyena," says Anshuman Jha, the peculiarity of his choice not lost on us. The actor, who plays a serial killer Udayan Das in the web show, Abhay, describes his muse as "violent and extremely dark" when making a case for himself with the choice of animal. In the week gone by, Jha shot for the Zee5 series in Lucknow and Kanpur, along with Kunal Kemmu.
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Interestingly, the actor also plays a real-life sociopath in the film, Midnight Delhi, based on a notorious blademan, who, in 2010, would apparently ask for a lift, and slit the throats of those who offered one. "This man is innocently violent, so I have kept a certain amount of delicacy and grace [attached with this role]. [Criminals] think they are fearless heroes, which makes it a treat to play them."
With an array of "colourful" roles on his résumé, Jha was glad to portray darker shades on screen. "For the show, I went into a dark space, but trusted [director] Ken Ghosh's vision." Prep work, for the actor, revolved around understanding how the criminals executed their crimes.
"For Midnight Delhi, I learnt to keep a blade in the mouth. I also had to get accustomed to abusing in each sentence. The cursing and aggression that I noticed when growing up in North India came handy. Playing a villain occasionally is more exciting than being the good guy."
Also Read: Kunal Kemmu to play investigative officer in Zee 5's upcoming original Abhay
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