Akshay Oberoi discusses why it was necessary to adopt a gory treatment for Flesh that revolves around human trafficking
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 18, 2020)

During the first narration itself, Akshay Oberoi understood that a grim thriller like Flesh deserved a menacing antagonist. With writer Pooja Ladha Surti having built an intriguing character of a psychopath who heads the human trafficking ring, it was Oberoi's responsibility to breathe life into it. "Though I have played grey characters in the past, this one is dark and terrifying. You can't downplay such a role. There is no limitation to how evil it can be," says Oberoi, whose character Taj is engaged in a battle of wits with Swara Bhasker, who plays a cop in hot pursuit of him.

The actor began working on the project months before director Danish Aslam called for the first shot. Since Taj was far divorced from the parts he has essayed earlier, Oberoi says he adopted a different approach. "I normally work on the character's backstory before moving on to developing the look. Here, I did the opposite. We zeroed in on the hairstyle and the kind of clothes he would wear; I got my ears pierced. Once I had the look figured out, it became easier to internalise the character," he states.

In telling the story of two girls who find themselves caught in the human trafficking ring, the eight-part series underlines the violent crimes committed against women in the country. Even as the dialogue continues around how films and shows are increasingly normalising violence on screen, the trailer of the Eros Now series indicates that the series is not for the faint-hearted. In such a case, does he feel the need to be morally responsible for the depiction of violence in his offering?

"Filmmaking is a director's medium and it's my choice whether I want to engage in such content or not. Films like Gurgaon and Flesh are using violence to tell a story in the most authentic way possible. If the violence is not depicted, the story will not be an honest narrative. Danish and Siddharth Anand [producer] were careful to not show forceful violence only for effect. As an actor, I believe in freedom of speech, and as long as we are not doing anything that is detrimental to the content, we have to be true to the story."

But it's a different ball game when you are working around children. In a famous move on a particularly gory Indian series, one of the actors refused to abuse in a scene that featured kids. Ask him if their set had a psychologist to ensure that the depiction is responsible, and he says, "In all honesty, everyone has done their homework and Danish is a thorough director. My character does some terrifying things. So, Danish prepared his actors mentally before they started shooting. He created a safe environment. Given the sensitivity of the topic, a child psychologist wouldn't have helped because it would have come in the way of the creative process."

With Illegal earning mixed reviews, Akshay Oberoi on the perks and pitfalls of mainstream success and critical acclaim
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; May 19, 2020)

Actor Akshay Oberoi and director Sahir Raza can heave a sigh of relief. Their hard work of the past two years has borne fruit — the audience has been lapping up their latest web series, Illegal. "I never expect my shows to be hits," laughs Oberoi, flashing a streak of self-deprecating humour.

Where the Neha Sharma-fronted series has been enjoyed by a section of the audience, it has also been called out for being a soap opera masquerading as a legal drama. Oberoi is unfazed by the criticism as he defends, "More criticism [coming your way] means more people are watching the show. I've been blessed with critical acclaim in the past [Gurgaon, 2017]. This time, I am happy that it has reached a wider audience. Sometimes, my most critically acclaimed pieces of work were watched by all of 10 people."

The series, which traces the young protagonist's journey into the corrupt world of criminal law, has Oberoi playing the son to the successful lawyer JJ, essayed by Piyush Mishra. The actor credits director Raza for helping him get into the skin of his character. "This is my second collaboration with Sahir. Now, I have realised the importance of getting used to your director. It frees [you as an artiste]. When I made a mistake, I wouldn't be judged. That is a safe environment for actors. Sahir briefs you about a scene and then lets you interpret it in your way, which liberates you as an artiste," explains the actor, adding that his homework for the role entailed watching seven seasons of Suits. "Harvey Spectre from Suits was one of the reference points. I studied his look and style, and even adopted his walk subconsciously."

A closer look at the central characters and it is easy to see how they are inspired by real-life personalities. "Of course, we took a few [real-life] references. [Ram] Jethmalani was one of them. [JJ's character] obviously had shades of Arun Jaitley, and other big lawyers of our times," says Raza, adding, "The story is based on several real-life instances, and then, fictionalised for effect."

Ask him about the cast, and Raza maintains that Sharma was perfect for the lead. "Neha was kind enough to audition for the role. After seeing her performance, we were sure she was the only choice." On his part, Oberoi is glad to have shared screen space with veteran actor Mishra. "Mishra sir has a great body of work. It is thrilling to collaborate with him creatively. While I like to go with the flow while enacting a scene, sir doesn't like that. He not only knows his dialogues, but everyone else's lines as well. It was different and refreshing."

The show, originally made in 2018, was finally launched this year on Voot Select. In the two years, Raza agrees that his directorial style has evolved. "I have started six other projects since then and my style of directing has changed too. So yes, I'd like to go back and reshoot so many things. That said, I wouldn't change the storyline. We settled on it after many rounds."

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 3, 2020)

A lull in career, even if it is a brief one, can shake the strongest of people. Akshay Oberoi knows it only too well. The actor went through a lull phase right at the beginning of his career and says that those tough days have ended up shaping his worldview. He shares, “I am not afraid of death, that is inevitable. Success, money, fame, stardom — all of that’s also secondary. They are just by-products. The only thing I care about is being in front of the camera. It keeps me happy and sane. I don’t even fear failure. I just fear another lull.”

Prod him further about this ‘lull’ and he says, “I was out of work for three-and-a-half years. That lull, after I had just done my first film (Isi Life Mein, 2010), was crushing. It was a tough phase to survive and I went back to theatre. I had just gotten married to my childhood sweetheart Jyothi Vynatheya, and I had no money. It’s difficult when you are married and not earning. You start wondering what your wife will think of you. Insecurities crop up and your confidence takes a major hit. She was earning and she took care of the house for a couple of years. But I knew that my only way was to keep at it. I kept pushing myself, and she believed in me. The break finally came when Bejoy Nambiar gave me a show called Rush (2012). After that, he told me that he wanted to make a film with me. I was 25 then. Six months later, he offered me Pizza (2014). And that’s how I was back in business.”

Akshay says that the struggle toughened him. “I have lost fear completely. Today, I do not worry about the length of my scenes or the screen time of my character. I see so many people getting trapped in this web, but it can kill you and your creativity. Now, even big directors and producers are inclined towards casting actors rather than stars. I don’t mind being called a character artiste. In fact, I would love it. Sab Salman Khan nahi ban sakte, but every actor has something unique to offer,” he signs off.

Despite being less acquainted with politics, political-thriller Madamji actor Akshay Oberoi says field no different from Bollywood
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 21, 2019)

Almost a decade after he made his industry debut, Akshay Oberoi says he’s finally getting roles that carry merit. Apart from Susi Ganeshan’s next, he will be seen in Subhash Kapoor’s political drama, Madamji. “Subhash has been a political journalist, so any conversation with him is a learning experience. He is objective, and doesn’t project his affiliations on the script, or the actor,” says Oberoi of the film that also stars Richa Chadha and Saurabh Shukla.

Even though he isn’t drawn to the subject of politics, Oberoi draws parallels between the field, and Bollywood. “Both industries are based on hierarchy. So I was able to internalise my character on that principle.”

A discussion on Kapoor cannot be complete without addressing the sexual harassment allegations that were levied against him by actor Geetika Tyagi. Prod Oberoi on the matter, and he says that though he has been supportive of the movement, he feels Kapoor is “stuck in a bad place”. “Some men have done horrific things, but most of the accused were put on social media trials. In this case, the matter is subjudice. I have known Subhash since his first film and he is among the best people I know. I didn’t jump into this film without doing research on the matter. I had enough access to find out about his previous [films]. Let’s note that there aren’t 10 people saying things against him. A filmmaker shouldn’t be stopped from working because of one allegation on him.”

Gearing up for the cricket drama Selection Day, Akshay Oberoi on straddling movies and web, and how an actor’s life is plagued by insecurity
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; December 11, 2018)

You've been roped in for the cricket drama, Selection Day. Aren’t you worried about comparisons with Amazon Prime’s Emmy-nominated Inside Edge?
Selection Day is based on Aravind Adiga’s book [by the same name] and was the second Netflix original to be sanctioned. I haven’t seen Inside Edge, but I know it’s about how Indian Premier League [IPL] started and the chaos behind it. Selection Day is about two 16 and 14 year olds, who aspire to become the next big thing in cricket. I play their manager. The show is about relationships, dreams and aspirations.

You also have Law And Order in the pipeline.
It’s like Suits, with glamour and style. Law and Order sees me as a lawyer, and depicts the Indian law system. It’s produced by the Test Case producer Samar Khan, so I didn’t think twice before giving my nod. The cases in the show are thoroughly researched. This will be a promising show, thanks to the star cast that includes Satyadeep Mishra, Piyush Mishra and Neha Sharma.

For someone who started his career with a romantic film, we’ve barely seen you explore the genre again.
I ran away from the genre [laughs]. Isi Life Mein (2010) was a washout when it released. But Rajshri Productions invested a lot of money in a nobody like me; I will always be grateful for that. However, I hated my work in the film — what I was doing, the way I looked. I still can’t watch it on TV. Had that film been a hit, I would have probably gone down that path. But after the film released, I discovered that, that was not the kind of actor I wanted to be.

How do you deal with the insecurity of being an actor?
Fortunately, I have not been unemployed for the last two to three years. Besides the web shows, I’ve got films like Junglee, Chhote Nawab and Bombairiya with Radhika Apte. So, my kitchen is running. But there is a niggling fear that this [work] will run out.

Considering you were raised in New York, why didn’t you try your luck in Hollywood?
I thought I would establish myself here quicker than I would in Hollywood. I expected to get meatier parts. I know I’m not as successful as Ranbir Kapoor; but then again, I am not Rishi Kapoor’s son. With 10 to 11 films behind me, I’m happy with my career graph. It would not have happened there. I would have played a terrorist or something random. Mira Nair, who has been my idol, asked me the same question when I recently met her. And she agreed with my viewpoint.

Not too many people know that you’re a trained ballet dancer.
I learnt it when I was 15 because I wanted to be in Hindi cinema. The training paid off with respect to body language — it helps you align your body.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; January 13, 2018)

Akshay Oberoi knows he isn’t a popular face in the industry. But he’s happy not to be one. The actor admittedly wants to experiment with his roles. He feels the lack of an image helps him try out things that many star kids around wouldn’t even dare to. In a candid conversation, he opens up about what prompted him to take up his latest film Kaalakaandi and how he’s struggled his way this far despite having a filmi connection.

What did you think of your performance in Kaalakaandi, which has just released?
I’m usually over-critical of my performances. But I genuinely liked Kaalakaandi. I feel that it has served the purpose. I’m happy with the final product. I hope everyone likes it, too, and this becomes my first commercial film.

It’s a dark comedy, a space that hasn’t been explored much in Indian cinema. Do you think this movie will push the envelope?
I don’t think many can do it. It’s a tricky space because it’s one thing to cast a film but it also needs to be well-written. I’m really excited to see the audience’s reaction. I hope there are budding script writers who can do the same. But once you read something like this, you think how anyone can actually come up with such stuff, yet make it relatable.

In one of the scenes in the film, you have an awkward fall before making out. In real life, have you faced something embarrassing?
Nothing as embarrassing that has been shown in the film, but I fell off the bed once.

Imran Khan introduced you to director Akshat Verma...
Yes, I took the number from him. And thank God, I did. Somewhere around 2011, there was a shift in Bollywood and things started changing rapidly. I can’t be in a race with the star kids where someone is promoting them. I don’t have that kind of support. I needed to do these interesting films, hence Akshat came to my mind. He’s got a wicked sense of humour which is brilliant for the films he does.

Don’t you feel that because of the kind of projects that you have chosen, the doors of the masala genre may completely shut for you?
It’s true. But now, the scenario is slowly transforming. Films with good stories need good actors to take them across and people have started to realise that. If I get called to do a commercial film, it would be only because of that. I’m not a guy who they can sell but they know my story will get made a certain way. That will eventually add up to the popularity of actors who are like me.

But isn’t the box office important to you?
Yes, it is. I want Kaalakaandi to work well. Because for me to do the kind of work that I want to do, if these films work commercially, then a Gurgaon or a Bombairiya will get a larger audience. I’ve got my validation for my work as an actor. Now, I want to get that validation from my audience at the ticket windows as well.

Would you ever approach a director or a producer to give you a film?
Even after making my debut with a Sooraj Barjatya film, I would send tons of texts to directors to ask if there was a suitable role for me. I would message Karan (Johar), Kabir (Khan) who at least met me and spoke to me. Dibakar (Banerjee) and Aanand (L Rai) sir also responded once. There were few who would not even respond. Once I got a film, I would stop. But after it was shot, I would start again.

That, despite being Vivek Oberoi’s cousin?
No, I don’t think they knew it back then. They might know it now. They always seemed surprised.

So many times people use shortcuts to get a film. Have you ever thought of taking one in desperation?
No. I’m so engrossed with my acting that something like that would kill me from within. At the end of the day, I want to be respected as an actor. Sometimes, you need to figure out what you can live with and what you can’t. I want people to think that I was really good at what I did.

But everyone dreams of the biggest things...
(Cuts in) I wanted to be Shah Rukh Khan! But my priorities shifted after my first film. Two years of growth with no work, I was back to theatre where Makarand Deshpande trained me. I thought I’d never get what I wanted. Then, I did a bit of rethinking and realised that I’d rather be someone like Irrfan Khan because I want to be respected that way. So, I started chasing roles that nobody wanted to do. I kept chasing Bejoy (Nambiar) and thank God, he answered that call. It led to Pizza and a lot of doors opened up after that.

If you have to go nude on screen, due to the demand of the script, would you be open to the idea?
I would be absolutely comfortable doing that. I want people to think that I’m absolutely fearless when it comes to my work. What’s exciting for me is that I’ve no image because my work hasn’t been that popular or commercial enough to give me one. You might say I look a certain way but I’ve done varied roles. Thankfully, I don’t have the trappings of a star. Also, if you look at the movies that I’ve done, there has always been a sex scene (smiles).

How does your wife react to such scenes?
In real life, I am very scared (laughs). But that’s why I love the camera. I can do anything in front of it. My wife has been cool and supportive. It isn’t easy for her. In fact, it bothers me more than her. She knows that I love this job so much that I’m trying to do it well. To be true to my work, I’ve to do the things that are written on the page.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 2, 2017)

Akshay Oberoi is teaming up with Saif Ali Khan in his next, Kaalakaandi. Directed by Delhi Belly writer Akshat Verma, the film has Saif and Akshay playing brothers. “It’s a one night story wherein Saif is going through his problems and I am going through mine. As the sun rises, the two of us solve or don’t resolve our problems. There’s also a love story going on, there are gangsters — we don’t necessarily interact with them, but there’s a cause and effect. It’s a crazy Bombay thing, one night’s pagalpan,” explains Akshay.

Akshay, who is sharing the screen space with Saif for the first time, says the latter is the most giving actor on the planet! “Saif is amazing. He has been great to me, absolutely supportive, gives great advice and connects with me every so often,” he says, appreciatively adding, “Saif has had his share of struggle. I know this whole debate (on nepotism) is rife, but he has worked really hard — see how long it took him to get somewhere — he has paid his dues, so he understands somebody in my position,” says Akshay, who made his debut in Isi Life Mein in 2010 and has since then done films like Pizza, Fitoor and Laal Rang, that haven’t done well at the box office. Kaalakaandi will be his big outing with a star.

Interestingly, Akshay has a lot of things in common with the Rangoon actor. “We share similar tastes. It could be because he spent a lot of time in England and I was in the US for the major part of my life. We have the same music tastes, we find similar things funny — our sensibilities are in line. The fact that he chose to do Kaalakaandi it’s incredible. For me, there was no question, it’s a great role and I would die to do it. Saif has so many different commercial things to choose from, but he chose this — I am not saying this is not commercial — but it’s in a different space,” he gushes.

Prod him on the kind of music he and Saif like and he says, “I have been to his house and he has this amazing music system with a record player attached to it. Both of us like Rock and Roll, the ’70s classic rock, Jazz, Blues, etc. We even like the same artistes!”

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; July 29, 2017)

Akshay Oberoi is gearing up for the release of his next, Gurgaon, that has him playing a dark and menacing character. It was when he was shooting for Fitoor that he was approached for Gurgaon. “Ajay Rai who has produced films like Quila and Nil Battey Sannata was the line producer of Fitoor. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra was with me on the sets when Ajay spoke to him. Later, he handed me the script. When I read the script, I was scared as nobody had come to me with a character like that. And, I decided to do it,” shares Akshay.

The actor had been part of a campaign ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ against domestic violence with Madhuri Dixit that got him noticed. “The director of Gurgaon had seen it and wanted me in the film. The movie required me to learn Rohtaki Hindi for which I got a diction coach Prakash Bharadwaj. He had coached Aamir Khan for PK and Dangal. I used to sit with him for four hours every day for two months,” he says. The actor plays the complex character of Nikki Singh, who is a neglected child of a wealthy landowner. While it is common for fathers to pass on their business to the sons, it doesn’t happen in Nikki’s case and he decides to stand for himself. Akshay did not need much preparation to play the character despite the fact that he had to show his dark side. “I was going through a difficult phase, professionally and personally. I could project all that pain in the character. I let everything out, and it was therapeutic. After that, I felt fearless. What I took away from the character is one should just work your butt off and love what you do.”

As for the film clashing with Shah Rukh Khan’s Jab Harry Met Sejal, he says, “How can there be any competition? His film will earn in crores, and even if we earn around Rs 40-50 lakhs it will be good!”

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 17, 2017)

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; April 13, 2016)

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 17, 2015)

Vivek Oberoi's younger brother Akshay has an impressive line-up of five films this year. In less than a month's time he will be going on a date with a somewhat distracted Deepika Padukone in the Amitabh Bachchan-Irrfan Khan drama Piku. "But all through dinner, all she does is talk about her father, Amitabh Bachchan's ailments and that's the end of our relationship and my cameo," Akshay laughs.

He will then be seen romancing Aditi Rao Hydari in Fitoor. Aditi plays a younger version of the desi Miss Havisham, Begum, who grows old to become, Bollywood diva Rekha, in Abhishek Kapoor's Indian adaptation of the Charles Dickens's novel Great Expectations. "My role is seen in flashbacks as my character, Mufti, begins a sordid affair with a young Begum in the heart of Kashmir," reveals Akshay, admitting that there is a different charm in wooing a beautiful woman in the snow.

The newbie has also bagged a prominent role in Laal Rang which features Randeep Hooda in the lead. Set in a small town of Haryana, the film deals with the unexplored issue of blood theft in the state. It will be directed by Syed Ahmad Afzal.

"Who doesn't want to work with Hooda?" says an excited Akshay. "He's carved his career from scratch and his career trek is inspiring. We share a guru-shishya relationship in the film and the film is about our intense journey together," he says.

Does it help to have a big brother like Vivek? "I am just starting out while Vivek has years of experience. I learn from him but though we're a close knit family, he does his own thing and I do mine," Akshay insists.