Viineet Kumar Siingh has been a part of the film industry for over two decades, but the actor got his first big commercial success recently with the Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava: “People now call me by my name, this has been the biggest change after Chhaava. Earlier, people would recognize me for Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012) and Mukkabaaz (2017). They would take selfies, but would then ask what my name was. Now, I don’t have to tell them that.”

Reflecting on the love for his latest release, Viineet adds, “I had told Vicky that the film would bring a big jump in his career. But we didn’t know the jump would be this big.” Though he has done some critically acclaimed films, the 46-year-old got recognition only after Chhaava, a commercially successful project. 

Does it make him believe that box-office numbers matter more than talent? “You can pull off a film like that only if you have put in the hard work on honing your skills over the years. You need to keep believing that, ‘apna time aayega’. Even though my work wasn’t reaching a large audience before, the people in the industry always gave me respect,” he says.

Ask why this respect didn’t turn into commercial offers, and the actor says, “Badi filmon mein bahut kuch daav pe laga hota hai. So, the decisions are made keeping returns in mind.”