Everyone had a funny line and comic timing down to the beat, but Dibyendu Bhattacharya’s character had to keep a straight face. So, while he was excited about joining Maamla Legal Hai Season 2, he was unsure how audiences would perceive his serious turn in Netflix’s madcap comedy. But since the second season dropped on April 2, the compliments haven’t stopped.

“I didn’t understand how people would take this character because everybody is doing comedy except me. But now, I [feel] people have liked my character a lot. They didn’t expect such a twist,” says the actor, who plays a newly-appointed judge in the Patparganj district court.

For Bhattacharya, the role may not have been big, but its layers made it tempting. “It was tough because I had to be precise as there is a certain dignity and sanctity attached to the position of a judge. [My character] also had to balance between how much to tell and not. The character was written in a way that you can’t tell whether he is positive or negative. I couldn’t project a lot in this performance because he shouldn’t be seen. If you see him, you  will find out that something is fishy.”

The actor’s calendar is packed this year. In July, he will be seen in Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh, and directed by Shiv Rawail. Bhattacharya, who plays a key role in the upcoming instalment of the YRF Spy Universe, has previously worked with Rawailon The Railway Men (2023).

While the actor refuses to divulge details about Alpha, he says, “It was a fantastic shooting for Alpha. Shiv is a young director. He is dedicated and passionate. He leaves no stone unturned to achieve what he wants. The film boasts of good actors and technicians,” he says, adding that he also enjoyed sharing screen space with Bhatt. “She is a good actor. It was during Poachers [2024] promotions that I met her for the first time.”

After ‘Maamla Legal Hai 2’, Dibyendu Bhattacharya will be seen in Prime Video’s ‘Raakh’, directed by Prosit Roy. The series also features Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre. “I love the subject and the director. Prosit is a talented man. I have a long association with him,” he says.