From delivering masterstrokes on the big screen to conquering the streaming space, Arshad Warsi is on a success roll. In this exclusive conversation with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, the powerhouse performer talks about his latest OTT release Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas on ZEE5 Global, and the effortless versatility behind bringing three distinct characters to life — all within a span of two months!
From delivering laughter with his impeccable comic-timing that defined an era to portraying layered, emotionally-charged characters in intense dramatic turns, that linger long after the credits roll, Arshad Warsi continues to prove why he’s among Bollywood’s most effortlessly versatile performers. As he approaches three decades in the industry since his debut in Tere Mere Sapne (1996), the star’s creative fire shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the past two months alone have seen him slip seamlessly into three strikingly different avatars — the sharp-witted advocate Jagdish “Jolly” Tyagi in Jolly LLB 3, the quirky and endearing Gafoor Bhai in Ba*ds of Bollywood, and now the intense, no-nonsense cop Vishwas Bhagwat in Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas on ZEE5 Global.
It’s this ability to shape-shift with ease — from satire to sincerity, from humor to high-stakes drama — that makes Arshad Warsi one of cinema’s most trusted chameleons. Whether he’s chasing criminals or cracking jokes, there’s a natural honesty in his craft that transcends genres. In Bhagwat, he revisits the grit of his unforgettable performance in Sehar (2005), reminding audiences of his unmatched depth as a dramatic actor. Yet, off-screen, he remains grounded, candid, and refreshingly self-aware — a man who’s mastered the art of balance, both in career and character.
In this exclusive interview with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, Arshad Warsi reflects on his ongoing golden run, his process of staying detached yet authentic in every role, and why after thirty years in the business, he still feels like he’s just getting started. The actor also shares an interesting update on his return as Circuit!
Within a span of two months, we have seen three screen versions of you – Advocate Jagdish ‘Jolly’ Tyagi in Jolly LLB3, Gafoor Bhai in Ba*ds of Bollywood and now this really intense, no-nonsense cop Vishwas Bhagwat in Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas! So, what is the real Arshad Warsi like?
Oh, I never thought from that point of view. The real Arshad Warsi is a very normal guy. I don’t think there is anything fancy or special about me. When I roam around on the streets, it takes a lot of people a bit of time to say, ‘it can’t be him’. He is too normal (laughs). Everybody gets confused! So, I am a very regular chap. That is the real Arshad Warsi.
And what I love to do is to act! So, I have a blast playing different characters, different roles. Like you said, within a span of two months, you saw a Jolly and a Gafoor, and then you saw a Vishwas Bhagwat. And you saw how different they are. I think for an actor, the slate doesn’t get better than that… when you get to play completely opposite characters. I love it. In fact, I wish you had seen another movie coming out very soon. It’s called Ghamasaan. I am playing a dacoit in that, so that again is absolutely another end of the spectrum!
“I don’t think there is anything fancy or special about me. When I roam around on the streets, it takes a lot of people a bit of time to say, ‘it can’t be him’. He is too normal (laughs). Everybody gets confused! So, I am a very regular chap. That is the real Arshad Warsi.”
Bhagwat actually reminded me of you as a cop in Sehar (2005). Such an amazing performance, but a highly underrated movie! You seem to have redeemed it with Bhagwat now. But, what was it about this movie that made you agree to doing it in the first place?
Right. So, I always wonder, ‘you have a villain, and if he dies in the movie, that’s the end of the film’. But many times, he gets caught. I used to think, if he gets caught, if the case goes on, and if he gets released, he will come out again. We will make a Part Two of this! So, I always want to see what happens next.
In this too, when I was listening to the script, I said that the way the crime is being committed, it is going to be impossible to prove that this particular criminal is guilty and to convict him. For me, the film starts when the accused is caught and he’s arrested and how we try to prove in court that he’s guilty. Because that is impossible. That was what got my attention. I said, ‘Thank God, someone thought about it’. Otherwise, we show a perfect crime and it gets solved in a jiffy. I mean, a person committed murders in such a cunning way and the police solved it in a second. What is this? The crime is over. It’s not that easy!
So for Bhagwat to actually run around to prove that he did commit the murders, that was interesting for me. Hunting the littlest of clues, putting them together, thinking, remembering what he said and piecing them. Figuring out the small gestures he made. So putting it all together like a puzzle was interesting!
Some actors snap in and out of characters effortlessly, but there are some roles that even the most seasoned actors find it difficult to shake off especially like this one where the helplessness can weigh heavy!
I’ll tell you something, I try a lot to stay away from that. I know a lot of actors who get so deep into something that they think about it for 24 hours. And physically, they really go deep into it. I feel you should not do that.
Statistically, it is said that most actors go senile in their old age. And that’s purely because every day you’re living a different character. When you’re alone, you’re yourself, or maybe even when you are with family or a friend. But the moment you step out in public domain, you’re a different person. When you meet fans, you behave differently. Then when you go to the set, you start acting like somebody else altogether. So you are never really yourself. And this loss of staying away from your personal personality, which you were born with, can make you go nuts. Makes you go senile. That’s why a lot of actors go and do carpentry or some such activity and they do other things, like farming perhaps. Just to keep you back to normal. And that is very important.
“I am not a big believer of method acting. I don’t go that deep. Everyone has their own way, but I personally don’t think that is necessary. I keep my entire concentration between action and cut. After that, I literally snap out, joke around, have fun, get out of that mood absolutely straight away. And leave it there!”
What’s your approach?
I am not a big believer of method acting. I don’t go that deep. Everyone has their own way, but I personally don’t think that is necessary. I keep my entire concentration between action and cut. After that, I literally snap out, joke around, have fun, get out of that mood absolutely straight away. And leave it there! Because that is important.
So, yes, there’s a process when you hear the story and then you read it a couple of times. Whenever I hear a character, it keeps playing in the head all the time. And I think about it constantly too, but I don’t let it get too heavy. I don’t get deep into it. I don’t get it. Maybe a bit or two sometimes.
Anything specific like that in this movie?
Yes, there was one part that kind of got me a bit and I had a weird feeling in that scene. There’s a scene where I go to shoot Jeetu (Jitendra Kumar) in a jail. There’s a small scene where I decide to end it right there. And then I snap out. So, the place where we shot the scene was a real jail. And I was shooting with actual death row inmates. Those who were inside the cells, they were all going to be hanged. So that was a bit surreal for me! We as normal people don’t experience all this. Here I was sitting in front of this guy, who I know is going to be hanged. And we’re talking. He’s telling me jokes. Writing songs. There’s a poet there. And we were chatting. But in my head I couldn’t get out of that space for a couple of days. I just couldn’t. I couldn’t stop thinking of those guys who I saw.
They were sitting comfortably. It’s like we don’t know when we’re going to die, but they know when they’re going to die. That was the only time I felt weird. And I said, ‘boss, you got to get out of this. You have to snap out of this.’
What do you suggest to disassociate from that intensity from getting to you?
My advice to all actors is that do not get into your roles so deep that you leave your real self behind. You need to get into your characters only as much as is required to make it look authentic. But don’t overdo it. Take time off after the shoot is wrapped. Spend time with your family. Go to a nice place and get out of that thing. Get that thing out of your mind. Get it out of your head. I personally do it on a normal basis.
But intense or comic, what kind of a role comes more easily to you?
Now I am going to sound really pompous and snobbish and all that. So, I am sorry, but all characters come easy to me. All kinds of roles. Be it serious or comedy. I might not feel the same about dancing and fighting and action though! There, I feel like I am working hard. I am jumping and falling, and there’s dust and sweat and energy (laughs). The rest of the time I am just there, enjoying the process. I read the lines. Dialogues come. And I keep talking.
“I look at where I came from and where I have reached and I have nothing to cry about. Every experience was beautiful. Even when I had no job. It made me learn so many things…
So no regrets!”
This one was Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas and it has been so well-received, so is there a Chapter Two in the works?
Taking stories or cases like these that need to be told is fantastic. So, yes there might be something else for Chapter 2. Converting into Chapter 2, Chapter 3… I think it is a good idea. Maybe they will do it.
You are going to complete three decades in Bollywood since your debut as a lead in Tere Mere Sapne in 1996.
And I’m still here. Not bad!
Looking back, would you choose anything differently if you had the chance?
No, I think it is the worst thing to do in your life. You should never cry over spilt milk. Never! Everything happens for a reason. It is possible that it would have been worse for me. So no, if I have a life that I am enjoying, there has to be something right that has happened. Because when I started, I was not here. I have come a long way. How can I crib about what happened! If I was in a worse place than where I started from, then I would probably crib about it. So, I look at where I came from and where I have reached and I have nothing to cry about. Every experience was beautiful. Even when I had no job. It made me learn so many things. Movies. Meeting people. Talking to you guys. Every moment. I have loved and enjoyed it. I still have a great time. So, no regrets!
What’s the update on Munna Bhai 3?
Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) is working on it, is the last information I got. He wants to do it and he has finally found time to work on it and he is writing. When it is ready, they’ll talk about it I’m sure!