There has always been pressure to live up to the name and legacy created by my mother, Rati Agnihotri, especially when I started my career. I have often been referred to as a 'Nepo Kid,' which I have never liked because my journey has been very different. My mother was not in the industry for a long time before I entered films, so it would be unfair to say that I had easy access to opportunities. However, I am glad that things are changing now. I am being recognised and cast based on my previous projects, not solely because I am my mother's son

My mother (Rati Agnihotri) is my biggest critic. She watches all my shows and films, and there have been instances where my character is loved by the audience, but my mother would be unhappy. She points out the tiniest elements that I might need to improve. And if she loves my performance, she appreciates it wholeheartedly. Actor-to-actor communication is very helpful, especially when she has so much experience that comes in handy for me

I never envisioned myself becoming an actor. I was overweight and had a severe stammer, which led me to believe that I could excel in behind-the-scenes roles. So, I began working as an assistant director in movies and also wrote and directed short films. Even now, I hold onto the hope that someday I can unleash my untapped potential in storytelling and direction

Entering the world of OTT was not a conscious decision for me; rather, it was somewhat of a last resort to prove myself. Despite having done three films—Luv U Soniyo (2013), Purani Jeans (2014), and One Night Stand (2016)—I was still not getting offered interesting roles. Then, unexpectedly, OTT emerged as a viable option. Back in 2016-17, this medium was not as significant as it is now. However, I consider myself fortunate to have secured projects like Inside Edge, Code M, and Cartel in the initial years, which helped me maintain relevance within the OTT realm. Presently, I aspire to take another leap and reintroduce myself to the film industry, aiming for a successful career in both domains. Several projects are in the pipeline, and I hope to conclude this year on a high note

Each project has its own process, sometimes you play with your physique or your voice depending on the character. I focus a lot on how my character should look, because I believe if the look is correct half of your battle is won. Experimenting with your character is most important for any actor, otherwise you can keep on doing the same kind of role and that’s not what I like to do. For instance, as Vayu in Inside Edge I have paced up my speech since the character is like that, and in Cartel as Major Bhau, I have brought the thehraav that my character needs. Moreover, it is important to enjoy the process, and if you fail during experimenting it’s fine, not every dart sticks to the board, at least 1 out of 10 will

When you're working on a film, you know it will have a theatrical release, appealing to the masses and potentially eliciting varied responses. However, in the case of OTT, each streaming platform caters to a distinct audience base. This understanding helps in choosing the right projects and bringing your character to life in a way that doesn't disappoint the viewers.

I believe in staying true to the roles I select because it's easy for the audience to detect fake acting. I learned early in my career the saying, ‘You start acting when you stop acting,’ and this realization came to me when I had the opportunity to work with actors like Kay Kay Menon and Vijay Raaz. Being as authentic as possible on screen is what the audience loves.