Once the quintessential Bollywood hero, Arjun Rampal has evolved into an actor who thrives in the grey zone. From cold-blooded villains to conflicted anti-heroes, his attempt is to infuse a human touch to every villainous role. In a conversation with us, Arjun reflects on embracing intensity, finding balance, and staying grounded through the highs and lows of the industry.

Ask him what draws him to such dark and intense roles, and Arjun explains that it’s the way directors perceive him. “I think the filmmakers see me in a certain light. I suppose they think I make the bad look good, so they cast me in those roles. When you play a baddie on screen, you’re operating in a grey area where you need to enhance certain traits. But the driving force has to come from a humane place. I try to find something humane even in the villain. I look for his foundation and belief system, where he’s come from. I always trace it back to what could’ve shaped him into who he is. That touch is what makes the villain believable. Honestly, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” he shares.

Many believe playing intense roles takes a toll on actors emotionally, but Arjun finds the process healing.

The actor, who was seen playing villainous roles in films like Dhaakad and Crakk, and the recent web show Rana Naidu S2, says, “Doing intense roles can be therapeutic, because you’re out there doing something crazy. You might have a lot of pent-up energy that you can channel into such a role. By the time you are done, you’re as calm as you can be. It also depends on what phase of life you’re in. I think every character leaves something with you, and in the process, you evolve a little as a person too.”

Reflecting on his journey, Arjun, who has been in the industry for over two decades, acknowledges the emotional impact criticism has on actors.

He explains, “I remember some of my films being panned; it made me feel like I was the worst actor. But years later, people still come up to me and talk about films like Dil Ka Rishta or Dil Hai Tumhaara — they say nice things about those films. If someone had told me back then that this would happen, I would have felt differently. Maybe I wouldn’t have gone through certain lows or made some of the decisions I did. That’s why you need to cut out the noise. Don’t let anyone tell you who you are. Be your own judge and don’t judge others either. Only you can make things right for yourself; no one else can. That’s what I did. I pushed through. I think I was like a bull — you need to grow a bit of thick skin in the industry. Those going through something tough should know that it’s not the end of the world.”

I am deeply satisfied with what I have done,” starts off Arjun Rampal, as he sits down to talk all things Dhaakad. The actor plays the sinister Rudraveer, the antagonist to Kangana Ranaut’s Agent Agni in Razneesh Ghai’s directorial venture. To Rampal, the spy thriller is the beginning of a conscious shift he is making with regard to projects.

He explains, “I liked the director’s vibe. The friendship is key to making the film better than we had envisioned. The movie gets so much right — from the brilliant camera work to the styling, and the scale of action. Another important reason for me [to say yes] was that it’s a female-led film. We have seen men do action all the time. But have we ever seen a woman do it? A female star is never given this kind of opportunity.”

It’s not often that leading men step aside to have the spotlight shining on their female counterparts. Yet, Rampal is comfortable in his skin to do that. After Dhaakad, he will join Konkona Sen Sharma in another woman-oriented story, The Rapist. His decisions are influenced by his need to create a gender-neutral environment for daughters Mahikaa and Myra.

“As a male actor and father to two daughters, I want to make this industry more conducive to women. I would love it if male actors support my kids if and when they decide to be in the movies. Plus, my support system was my mother [Gwen]. She made a lot of sacrifices for me. I have done several women-oriented subjects — Dil Hai Tumhaara [2002], which was Preity’s [Zinta] movie more than mine, or Tehzeeb [2003] led by Urmila [Matondkar]. I have seen the period in Bollywood when women didn’t have a voice. I have a responsibility to back movies like Dhaakad.”

At this stage, the actor says he is doing films that speak to him. “I don’t want to make a point or please people. Now, I want to do characters that appeal to me, and I am happier for it.”