Ever since the trailer of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next released, there are conversations around whether a real-life transgender should have played the part essayed by actor Vijay Raaz. Sharing his two cents on the debate, actor Sahil Khattar says it’s time for Hindi films to be realistic and “uplift the minorities”.

“If transgenders are looking for an opportunity and there is an actor, then why not give them a chance? The same goes for somebody short, fat or bald,” he says, adding, “If you really want an authentic character, then why not go for these actors first? If they don’t act well, then that’s a different point. But at least consider them. If we don’t uplift the minorities in Bollywood, who else will?”

Ask him if he feels a film like Bala (2019), where the protagonist was bald, should have been offered to him and pat comes his reply: “Main marr gaya tha kya? Bala should have had a Sahil Khattar (instead of actor Ayushmann Khurrana). And not just Bala, even other films such as Haider (2014) and Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01 (2021; actor Fahadh Fassil played a bald character). If (actor) Shahid Kapoor had to copy my look (in Haider), they should have taken me instead,” he jests and adds, “I hope (filmmaker) Rohit Shetty makes a film on a bald cop. India will get it’s Rock (referring to Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson).”

Talking about the industry, Khattar, who was last seen in director Kabir Khan’s 83, feels no actor from the OTT space has got a bigger film debut than him. “Nobody has got as big a debut (as me) from digital to the movies and I’m proud of that. I think I deserve that seat at the table,” he says.

Khattar also mentions that currently, he is trying to figure out if he really wants to pursue acting. “I’m wondering if I really want to be a Bollywood star or I should just do a few acting gigs and produce projects,” he ends.