MUMBAI MIRROR (August 13, 2020)

After portraying an array of roles in the last few years, Angad Bedi is basking in the phenomenal response his latest film, Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl has received from the audiences. “I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a film’s release with such anticipation and excitement. It’s special for so many reasons. Now that the film is here for the world to watch, we couldn’t be more humbled with the response that’s pouring in from all corners”, he enthuses.

The actor, who’s had a slew of success with films and web series like Pink, Tiger Zinda Hai, Soorma, Inside Edge and Verdict among several others, has firmly established himself as an acting force to reckon with, carving his own space. He adds, “I’ve really given my all to Anshuman Saxena. It was a challenging role, but one that I will always be very proud of. I believe Gunjan Saxena is everyone’s film, while Janhvi (Kapoor) helms it with panache and ease; each character plays a critical role in bringing them the story to life.”

Angad’s true success has always been in getting into the skin of the character and making it his own. Be it Arvind Vashisht from Inside Edge or Karl Khandalavala in Verdict to Bikramjeet Singh in Soorma, the young actor has proved his mettle in every performance.

Speaking about his recent success, he says, “While we knew we had a great story at hand, executed beautifully by Sharan (director Sharan Sharma), it always boils down to the audience reaction. What we have received so far has surpassed all our expectation. What adds to the happiness is that the film has been viewed and accepted objectively, without the ongoing insider and outsider debate—because I really believe that a good film is a good one, regardless of who acts in it. All films should be viewed without this bias.”

As Gunjan Saxena trailer reignites insider-outsider debate, Angad Bedi on how films are a collaborative effort and not driven only by stars
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 3, 2020)

The trailer of Janhvi Kapoor-fronted Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, which dropped on Saturday, received love and brickbats in equal measure. As the conversation around star kids continues, Angad Bedi — who plays Kapoor's brother in the film — dismisses the insider-versus-outsider debate, emphasising that a film is a collaborative effort at the end of the day.

"It's my film, too," he states, when we get on a call. The movie, helmed by debutant director Sharan Sharma, also features Pankaj Tripathi in a key role. "Everyone has a right to their opinion, but people are spitting fire against one another. The flak [that the film is receiving] is unfair. Every industry is competitive. I have auditioned for over 300 movies, and every rejection has been a learning experience. My role in Soorma [2018] led me to this film. I had gone to meet Shashank [Khaitan], who, in turn, made me meet Sharan. After I tested for the role, Sharan told Karan [Johar] he wanted me for the part. There are lakhs of people in the industry, so it's only fair that we all get a chance. Actors are like any other professional who work for a pay cheque."

He further adds, "I have made my career here, I make money from it to look after my family and in so many years, I have not had one bad producer. Of course, that’s my own trajectory and journey which is independent of someone else’s experience. I did Ungli, years ago, with him. There are lacs of people in the industry so it’s only fair that we all stand a fair chance."

The movie narrates the real-life story of the first woman Indian Air Force officer who flew into the combat zone for reconnaissance mission and casualty evacuations during the Kargil War. Amid the noise surrounding the film, does Bedi worry that people will forget the story of Gunjan Saxena's bravura? "The story is a celebration of human triumph and will-power. If you don't think you are good enough, no one else will. She made a place for herself when it was unthinkable. This is not just a celebration of women, but a tribute to the soldiers."

Though Bedi never met Saxena, he did spend time with Anshuman Saxena, he tells us. "Our director Sharan is a bright young boy and he got the crux of this character for me. If Gunjan's father gave her wings, her brother kept her grounded. Being an army man, he knows the realities of the job. For me the roughest was getting the right camaraderie with Janhvi. I had known her socially but through the workshops, we grew thick. Sharry (Sharan) would make us do lines together. Janhvi and I come from different worlds and over the film, she became a part of my family and that's the energy we needed to depict. We discussed our childhood."

Quiz him as a key cast member, how does he view the decision of releasing the film on Netflix. "As an actor, when I came to Mumbai I wanted to get a great part and excel at it. The change has already happened as we speak. When I want people to see my work, how else to go about it except the DTN release way. It was tragic how Angrezi Medium released and the next day theatres across the country shut down. Hypothetically, even if this were to be released at a theatre, I am not sure (till a vaccine comes) how many people will walk into a theatre to watch a film with such a strong fear hovering over their heads."

Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 9, 2020)

These unprecedented times are all the more difficult for those staying away from home, says actor Angad Bedi, who recently flew down to Delhi to spend time with his parents. “I usually come for a couple of days every month, but this time, I hadn’t seen them for over three months. Number of (Coronavirus) cases in Delhi shooting the roof got me all the more worried,” he says.

However, upon returning to Mumbai, Bedi says he might quarantine away from home while shooting for his web series, MUMbhai, for the sake of his daughter, Mehr. “I had started shooting for MumBhai when the lockdown happened. This gap actually didn’t benefit me. For an artiste, athlete or performer, this period was like rusting, not resting,” he opines.

Bedi’s next big screen outing Gunjan Saxena starring actor Janhvi Kapoor is now set for a direct-to-OTT release. Is he happy about this? “Everybody is watching everything on the web these days,” he continues, “Be it The Verdict: State v/s Nanavati or Inside Edge (his previous web projects), I know the kind of reach web has. Also, theatres are yet to open and even if they do, I’m not sure how many will take the risk of going out.”

“Amitabh Bachchan-Ayushmann Khurrana’s film Gulabo Sitabo and even films of Alia Bhatt, Abhishek Bachchan and Akshay Kumar are releasing online. It’s the same for us all. We want maximum people to watch our work,” says the actor, 37, adding that one needs to keep avenues open during such a crisis.

Dhaval Mehta (DNA; September 28, 2019)

Angad Bedi’s most recent release was The Zoya Factor starring Sonam K Ahuja. His next big-screen outing will be opposite her cousin, Janhvi, in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl. But before that, he will be seen in the web series The Verdict — State Vs Nanavati, which will stream on September 30. The actor talks about working with the two actresses, career, struggling period and how marriage and fatherhood have changed him.

Tell us about your character in The Verdict: State v/s Nanavati.
I play the role of Karl Jamshedji Khandalvala, a Parsi by birth who doesn’t think he’s a lawyer despite being the best one in India and never losing a case in his life. He considers himself a connoisseur of art and music and has been an ex-Air Force Pilot. He then takes the most controversial case that 15 top lawyers have refused and wins it.

How is the show different from Rustom (2016), which was on the same subject?
In Rustom, you only had one perspective and in The Verdict, you see it from three different perspectives through late Ram Jethmalani, Chandu Trivedi and  Karl Jamshedji Khandalvala. It is a completely different take on it. We have 600 minutes of edited footage and 10 episodes have been made out of it.

After working with Sonam Kapoor aka Sonam K Ahuja in The Zoya Factor, you are also working with her cousin Janhvi Kapoor in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl. Did you find any similarities between them?
They (Sonam and Janhvi) are poles apart as individuals. Sonam has won a National Award for Neerja and played the part in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga really well. Zoya Solanki was a tailor-made role for her. Janhvi is extremely spontaneous and hardworking. A lot of times when she is performing, you see glimpses of Sridevi ji in her acting and she has the same twinkle in her eyes. She is dedicated and still in the zone of trying to prove herself.

You have three back-to-back projects. Would you say you are reaping the benefits of hard work and perseverance now?
It all depends on timing. When you are going through a sound phase, you get quality work and you also start working hard. I was and still passionate about my work. I was just waiting for the right break and filmmakers to put their faith in me.

What did the period of struggle teach you?
You have to persevere and keep being sane. No role is big or small; every character does its magic and brings its own connect with the audience. Every actor goes through a patch, where everything seems to work and all my roles have different roles, looks and people will see me in characters that are poles apart from each other.

Has content superseded star power? How do you see the balance between these two factors?
It is a blurred line. Star power will always remain relevant but content has become the king. A star can pull in the crowd on Friday, Saturday and Sunday but Monday onwards, the collection of the film gets decided by the content and performances. Beyond a point, a star also needs a good script for him/her to shine.

And how much does the length of the role matter?
In today’s time, nobody waits for the perfect character. If you are part of good projects and working with good filmmakers, you will automatically get good roles. I have never really stressed about the length of the character. I would love to do a slice-of-life comedy, and make sure that my characters don’t get repetitive.

How much have marriage and fatherhood changed your life?
Since my marriage with Neha (Dhupia) and the birth of my daughter Mehr, everything is going pretty smooth. Both (Neha and Mehr) have brought good luck into my life and I am really appreciative of that fact.

As told to Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 27, 2019)

My first pay cheque was for Rs 300 which I got playing for the Under-16 cricket team for Delhi. To make some more money, I signed a contract to play English county cricket for various clubs. We would get around 50 pounds for a game and since the money came immediately it was a big deal.

I would even help prepare the pitch, operating the roller, because I got paid extra for that. When it started raining, I would help pull the covers over the pitch and got more, something as much as five to ten pounds. So, I would keep hoping for a shower on the day of the match.

I booked myself for maximum games and would even help the coaches. During this time, I would wear my father’s (legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi; pictured on right) shoes from his cricketing days. It wasn’t just for the nostalgia but because it made me feel like my father was with me all the time.

Every ground had a small bar and I helped serve the orders. I made two to three pounds for every table. After the place shut, we would pool all the tips we had earned and the kitty would be equally divided between all of us. These tips would help buy two meals at a restaurant and taught me how to value money.

I also learnt how to live on my own and manage the house. Detergent is expensive in UK, so four-five boys would share a packet. We washed our own clothes because the laundry was expensive. Whatever we saved, we used to buy something for ourselves or simply take it back home to splurge on the family. I still have some of those notes and coins, British currency fascinates me.

I enjoyed the English weather, no matter how erratic it was. It helped escape the heat back home and also got me some match practice. That was my life from 16 to 21.

Eventually though instead of following in my father’s steps and becoming a cricketer, I decided to pursue a career in acting. Subsequently, I shifted base to Mumbai. It’s an expensive city, I had to pay the rent for my pad and also all the bills. Someone suggested modelling and I decided to give it a shot.

Model-choreographer Marc Robinson spotted me and gave me a break at a fashion week. I did my first modelling job for free. But on my second assignment, I would do three shows and earned Rs 7,000 a day. I needed the money to survive in Mumbai.

Then, I landed my first film, Remo D’souza’s comedy F.A.L.T.U. which featured Jackky Bhagnani, Riteish Deshmukh, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Puja Gupta and me in the lead, and Arshad Warsi, Akbar Khan and Darshan Jariwala in supporting roles. The film opened on April 1, 2011 and I was paid Rs 3.50 lakh. I was ecstatic!

Unfortunately, after that I did not get any more films. I made a guest appearance in Anil (Kapoor) sir’s television series 24 which earned me Rs 10,000 a day. Then, I was offered Shoojit Sircar’s courtroom drama Pink. It marked the entry of Bengal’s National Award-winning director, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, in Hindi films. The film which also featured Mr Bachchan (Amitabh), Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tairang, was a role with shades of grey. Pink made “No means no” the catchphrase of the nation and was a hit. Ali Abbas Zafar saw it and signed me to play Namit Khan, an expert at defusing bombs, in Tiger Zinda Hai, the Salman Khan franchise. And the rest, as they say, is history.


A young Angad on the field

New daddy Angad on why Dhupia is perfect role model for their daughter
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 24, 2018)

“My marriage and daughter Mehr have brought me luck,” smiles Angad Bedi, who has an impressive line-up of projects in The Zoya Factor, Inside Edge 2 and The Verdict: State vs Nanavati. Excited as he is about his on-screen avatars, he gushes that no role gives him as much joy as playing daddy to the tiny tot.

“I give her a bath, feed her; I am comfortable doing these things because my father [Bishan Singh Bedi] was hands-on when it came to my sister and me,” says the actor, adding that his daughter’s arrival has brought about a shift in him. “My dad said that my eyes have changed. He said that before we become fathers, we think for ourselves, but now, I think for my family first.”

The new daddy reveals that the couple was keen on a baby girl. “I hope Mehr takes after Neha - she’s honest, has come up the hard way and is caring.” He adds that their busy work schedules had them seek parenting tips from single father, Karan Johar. “He said that Neha and I will have to juggle our projects. We will also want Mehr to travel with us as much as possible.”

Set to replicate the bond that the brothers and hockey players shared in Soorma, Angad on how his character is a defining one
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 18, 2018)

The sincerity with which Angad Bedi speaks about Bikramjeet Singh isn’t lost on us. Slipping into the role of former Indian national hockey captain Sandeep Singh’s brother in Soorma, Bedi asserts that it was Bikramjeet’s sacrifice that enabled Sandeep to reach heights. “Bikramjeet couldn’t pursue hockey because of his injuries, so it was important for him to see his brother in the Indian jersey,” Bedi tells mid-day.

Pointing out that after Sandeep suffered a spinal injury, Bikramjeet worked two jobs to ensure he got back on the field. “Bikramjeet brought Sandeep up and trained him. He did two jobs so that he could send his brother to Holland for treatment. Sandeep’s return to the game was his life’s motive. It was Bikramjeet’s sacrifice that enabled Sandeep to play for the country.”

So strong is the warmth between the brothers that even when Bedi went to Bikramjeet’s house to interact with him, he found it splashed with pictures of Sandeep’s victories. “Sandeep’s success was Bikramjeet’s dream. The dream that the two brothers harboured was integral to the film.”

Having understood the bond they shared, it was, perhaps, imperative for the actor to replicate it for reel with co-star Diljit Dosanjh, who slips into the role of protagonist Sandeep. “In Diljit, I found a brother,” Bedi says, adding, “When we first met, we gave each other the longest hug that two unknown people [could share]. I harbour the same love for him that my dad does for me. I passed that energy onto him. I’m certain, it will show on screen.”

The actor on marriage and after, and playing hockey ace Sandeep Singh’s elder brother in upcoming film
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 16, 2018)

After a hush-hush wedding in Delhi last month, Angad Bedi and Neha Dhupia are set to move into their marital home, a three-BHK flat in Bandra. They’ve been decorating the new space.

“The paperwork was completed just in time because Neha will soon start shooting for a new show while I am promoting Soorma. Also a new film will be announced soon. That’s why we tied the knot as soon as we could as our calendars are blocked till early 2019,” Angad tells Mirror.

The actor admits that setting up a home is time-consuming but beautiful. “While deciding the décor, Neha was welcoming of my suggestions. She patiently listens to what I say but eventually she takes the call,” he adds.

Since their wedding was a quiet event, will there be a filmi reception? “We are focusing on doing up the house for now. Things didn’t work in a linear fashion for us, so we are working backwards. Things like reception and honeymoon require time. The wedding was an intimate affair and we wanted to avoid making it an event,” he clarifies.

Angad is looking forward to Shaad Ali’s Soorma, the biopic on hockey player Sandeep Singh, where he plays elder brother Bikramjit to Diljit Dosanjh’s protagonist. “Hockey is the backdrop but the film centers around human emotions. Bikramjit was close to playing for the country but injuries prevented him from doing so, so he raised his younger brother to be a hockey player. Sandeep gets shot in the spine and Bikramjit juggles two jobs to support the family and send his brother to rehab in Holland. When Sandeep is written off, Bikram goes to the lengths of playing against him in local tournaments just to get his game back,” Anagad points out.

What was it like interacting with Sandeep Singh’s real family? “There is not a single photo of Bikramjit in his house, it’s all Sandeep and his medals. He said that his brother’s medals are his too. ‘He played for India and I feel like I did,’ were his exact words,” Angad says.

Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2018)

It has been less than two weeks since Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Delhi. In their first ever interview post marriage, the couple reveals why the wedding was such a hush-hush affair and what made them want to become life partners after being friends for so long. Excerpts...

Two days after the much-talked about Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja wedding,the news of your shaadi grabbed headlines. In fact, no one got a whiff of it until Karan Johar and you tweeted a photo of your nuptials...
Neha: Karan was the only person in Mumbai who knew about the wedding. We knew that after reading the post, all our friends were going to kill us. Less than a week before we got married, I was chilling in Karan’s house and I told him that I was ready to get married. He said it was a great idea and went back to checking posts on social media! When I asked him how he could be so casual about it, he said that it’s the right thing to do. And he added that I should ensure that he was the first one to tweet the picture (laughs!).

The announcement of your wedding came like a bolt from the blue. Was there any reason you kept it hush-hush?
Angad: Our intention was not to keep it a secret. We just wanted it to be a private affair. What happens is that, the process of making up our minds, planning the wedding and inviting people is never-ending. When we went to Delhi, we didn’t think that we were going to get married. I went in my track pants and T-shirt along with one bag in my hand. We intended to stay overnight and come back. On the way, we discussed how we were going to approach the topic of marriage with her parents. Neha still consults her parents before taking major decisions. I just told them that I wanted to marry their daughter. There was silence for a bit and then her father said that he didn’t have a problem, but that I should speak to my parents about it. I have a great equation with her mother and she was fine with it. When I spoke to my father, he said that if I thought I was ready to go ahead, he will support me. Like all mothers, my mom, too, had dreams of a grand wedding for me, but I wanted it to be an intimate affair between the two families. The decision to get married was taken overnight.
Neha: Angad didn’t propose to me, instead, he went with the rishta to my parents. His mother was not ready to give her nod for the wedding date, till she met me. I met her two days before the wedding and she asked me if I was sure about getting married to him and some other questions, which a to-be mother-in-law would generally ask. As far as his father is concerned, we had got strict instructions from him to keep it low-key or else the press would get a whiff of it and there would be OB vans outside the gurudwara.

But you guys were friends for a long time…
Angad: When I used to play Under-19 cricket in Delhi, during a gym session, I spotted this girl in really tiny shorts. I was impressed with her running technique. I figured out that her name was Neha Dhupia and that she was preparing for the Miss India pageant. Then, many years later, we met in Mumbai and became friends. I was interested in her, but she said that she wanted to be just friends. We have both been in relationships with other people and there has never been a facade. When it comes to spending the rest of your life with someone, you should do it with a friend. It doesn’t matter if that person is illiterate, educated or earns Rs 10 or Rs 10 crore. Eventually, these things don’t matter.
Neha: Our friends knew that Angad had feelings for me, but it was one-sided, till I came around. He had proposed marriage to me four years ago, but I turned down his proposal at that time because I was in a relationship. He came back four years later and said that I had wasted four years of his life. He said, ‘I don’t want to be just in a relationship with you. Either you are my wife or nothing’. I always believe in one thing — the right time and place. In the past four years, I have seen a huge change in him. He has matured a lot. In the end, everything else goes flying out of the window and friendship is all that matters. I can promise you that we aren’t going be a couple who will post a lot about ourselves on social media.

Neha is successful and a well-known celebrity. Do you think that will ever make you insecure?
Angad: I am not insecure about her being more successful than me. She has been in the industry way longer. She is an actor with a phenomenal body of work. She is multifaceted and has managed to do all of this because she has been at it for a long time and has worked hard to be where she is today. I have been in the industry for six years and I have done six films. I don’t think I am as multifaceted as Neha. I think I have done good work so far and I am still chasing things, which I know I can do well. I am still trying to win over the audience.

Often women are asked how they will strike a balance between work and home. Since you’re a married man now, have you thought about it, too?
Angad: I was a commitment-phobic person. I never thought that I will settle down. Marriage has happened beautifully for me. As far as having kids and striking a work-life balance are concerned, I will be able to respond to the situation when I am in it. When we are in that situation and those sacrifices have to be made either by her or me, we will do it. Work is important, but there is a life beyond that. Kids are an extension of you and it is important to raise them well. If that requires sacrifice, even professionally, then we will do it. The happiness of having a child cannot be matched by any number of zeroes on a cheque. So, you got to look at life from that perspective.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 31, 2017)

Like it did for its three lead protagonists, Shoojit Sircar’s critically-acclaimed film Pink (2016) also gave a boost to Angad Bedi’s acting career. Bedi, who played the antagonist in the Taapsee Pannu-starrer, is now set to feature alongside Salman Khan in the latter’s sequel to his 2012 actioner, Ek Tha Tiger., Tiger Zinda Hai.

Essaying the part of a RAW agent is demanding, given that it requires the actor to whip himself in shape, but Bedi says the experience is one he cherishes. Chronicling his training routine, he tells mid-day, “Besides working out for nearly six hours a day, I am also learning different forms of martial arts. I trained in kickboxing and Muay Thai. The hand-to-hand combat fight sequences are challenging to pull off. RAW agents are physically strong, so, I had to work on achieving strength, as well as their agility.”

Apart from enhancing his fitness, the actor also learnt how think like a RAW agent. “I had to study the manner in which they think. They have a strong sense of purpose and are sharp.”

Bedi has already wrapped up a 25-day schedule and will jet off to Abu Dhabi for another 45-day plan by the end of this month. It is during this schedule that the action sequences will be canned. The actor speaks about teaming up with Khan with earnest excitement. “Shooting with Salman bhai has been special. He is a great man and loving colleague. If he likes you, he takes you under his wing. I am loving being pampered. I love the stories he has to tell, the anecdotes he shares from his experience. His learning from his 25-year-long career are worth listening to. It gives you a deep insight into the industry, its ways and how it has evolved.”

Former cricket legend Bishan Singh Bedi’s son, Angad, thanks God he’s not a Bollywood star kid
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 28, 2016)

After Pink hit screens, Angad Bedi caught attention as the one man who came out looking like the brand ambassador of male chauvinists. The former cricketer’s son says he never feared playing the part that has earned him accolades while bringing out rage in people.

“Like Kangana Ranaut will always be remembered for Queen (2014) , I will always be Rajveer Singh (his character) and I am proud of that. None of us expected the film to spark off a revolution like Rang De Basanti (2006) had,” he says.

Working with Amitabh Bachchan was unnerving for him. He says, “The harder I tried, the worse I got. But Bachchan sir is so kind that you fall in love with him. I love his dressing style, his cologne and shoes. He smells like heaven; I told him that.” Did that creep Big B out? “Thankfully, it didn’t. He gifted me a pair of shoes from his personal collection. Now, I can say I am in his shoes, literally,” Angad exclaims.

He was used to a different kind of stardom as Bedi’s son, but is grateful that he’s not a Bollywood star kid. “I thank god I am not a star kid and didn’t take up cricket as a career. I feel blessed to work without the uncalled for pressure of living up to one’s legacy,” he adds, quipping, “Mr Bachchan very kindly told me that the world will now know Bishan Singh Bedi as Angad’s father and not vice versa.” Angad continues, “I aspire to play Mr Bachchan’s son in a film someday. It will be great if it is a film like Sarkar (part three being planned), but don’t read between the lines.”

His next, Gauri Shinde’s Dear Zindagi, with Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt, releases in November.

Angad Bedi is one of the Bhatt girl's many lovers in Gauri Shinde's next, has lived his dream of working with the Big B and is playing cricket on screen
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 1, 2016)