He had as many as six releases this year, including The Tattoo Murders, Illegal 2 and Inside Edge 3. For Tanuj Virwani, the biggest high was reprising his role of Vayu in the cricket-based series. Connecting with mid-day from the Badlapur set of his next with Kay Kay Menon, the actor discusses the gruelling prep that went behind the series, and his Bollywood aspirations.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

It would be unfair to say I am happy with the outcome of each [series]. Certain projects turned out to be in sync with my expectations, others not so much. However, as an actor, there’s only so much I can control. This line-up was not by design. The Tattoo Murders, Cartel and Inside Edge 3 had been shot earlier, but were released this year.

In the first season, we shot predominantly at night when the weather was cooler. But to be authentic, we shot the Test matches in about 40 degrees in Pune. In Test matches, you use the ball for a much longer period, and as the ball gets older, it becomes softer, making it harder to hit. I was scared the first few days while filming those sequences because Karan [Anshuman] and the direction team decided to ramp up the cricket scenes. They got players from Ranji and Kanga league; some of those bowlers were going at it [like crazy].

In the first season, Vayu faces about 22 balls; in season two, I had about 45 balls, and for the third, I faced 10-odd balls that were shown on camera. For the latest season, our DoP [director of photography] was particular that certain portions couldn’t be shot once we lost the sun. So, we would start in the morning, break from 12 pm to 2.30 pm. During that period, we would shoot scenes in the stands or the dressing room. Post that, we’d go back on the field. But post-lunch, it used to become difficult to pick up [the pace] again. I am 35, I am not exactly a spring chicken. To pick up exactly where we left off was demanding.

Firstly, you have to give it to Akshay for his hard work. I would not even imagine taking up this character if I couldn’t play cricket. The first time I met him was during the cricket training camp. It was love at first sight [laughs]. The poor guy was so cute, he couldn’t even hold the bat. I loved his work in Pizza [2014] and Gurgaon [2017], but this was going to be brutal. He barely got one-and-a-half months to prepare. We got along so well in real life that we were able to sell our rivalry on screen. We have decided to do at least one show together every year.

After the first season released in 2017, I only got bad boy roles. At the time, I knew we would have a second season. I thought if I keep doing this, I will become a one-trick pony. So, I had to be brave enough to say no.

I set out to be a film actor. I would be lying if I said I am happy to stay in the OTT space. I want to do both because you can’t recreate what happens on the silver screen on a laptop or TV. There is something magical about going to the theatres. I am working on a few films, which will hopefully be theatrical releases.

Virwani with Akshay Oberoi

When Tanuj Virwani dropped his mother, actress Rati Agnihotri, at the airport in March 2020, little did he know that he would not get to see her for well over a year-and-a-half. The actress was stationed in Poland with her sister during the Coronavirus pandemic. Rati recently returned home and celebrated her birthday with her son and husband yesterday.

“It has been two years since we celebrated mom’s birthday at home. It’s crazy! I had never thought that it would take this long to see my mother again in person. She was expected to return in August, but her pet needed a passport, which pushed things to September. Eventually, my aunt requested her to be around till Diwali. She only returned to Mumbai in the second week of November,” says Tanuj.

Rati says, “It has taken very long for us to be able to spend this time together. I had to set my emotions aside, looking at the way things were unfolding all over the world. Tanuj didn’t want me to travel until things got better in Mumbai, although I got vaccinated much earlier. I’ve never been away from my child for anything longer than two months; this was almost two years. I travel often, but this journey was hard on both of us and yet, a much smaller sacrifice in comparison to what so many suffered.”

On the day she returned to Mumbai, Tanuj landed at the airport to surprise his mother, who thought he was busy shooting. “I had a shoot scheduled in Banaras, but it was cancelled at the last minute, and I didn’t tell mom. I surprised her at the airport instead, and there we were, crying and smiling at the same time. She was looking tired and yet so happy. The house has suddenly gone from being a bachelors’ pad to a home. Her presence was missed. Although I wasn’t too well, we had an intimate celebration for my birthday also a few days ago. We had a good weekend at our farmhouse, too.”

Rati adds, “When I came out of the airport, I just wanted to go home and sleep in my bed. I saw my husband waiting outside and then, out of nowhere, Tanuj popped out. It became so dramatic! I was overwhelmed with emotions to see him. We went home and chatted till sunrise. I might have to travel again, but not immediately. I just want to be with my child.”

Talking about her birthday celebrations, she says, “I left the planning to Tanuj. I am not a party person, so that was out of the question. I like being with my family on birthdays. Tanuj had taken the day off for me and that’s the best present he could have given me.”

That Tanuj Virwani (Rati Agnihotri and Anil Virwani’s son) and Akshara Haasan (Kamal Haasan and Sarika’s daughter) were in a relationship several years ago is well-known. However, post their break-up in 2017, things took an ugly turn when Akshara’s private pictures were leaked on the internet in 2018. At that time, Tanuj was questioned by the police and he denied he had anything to do with the leak. The actor had also said that he hoped the real culprits were caught and punished. Fast forward to three years later — Tanuj shared what went wrong between the couple and the leaked photos of his former girlfriend.

Tanuj says, “I had met Akshara on an outdoor shoot in Kullu Manali, when she had accompanied her mother, actress Sarika ji. We became friends and there was a mutual connection. She is a lovely girl and I really liked her. We were together for four years, but after a point, we realised that it was not working out. We decided to mutually part ways without any drama. I think one of the things that went wrong for us was being open about our relationship in public. We had no qualms about discussing our relationship openly. We believed in being honest about it, which eventually backfired. Now, I have realised that it’s better not to talk about our private lives and let our work speak for us.”

He adds, “Before the pictures got leaked in 2018, we were cordial and used to greet each other warmly at public functions. But after the pictures got leaked, we have completely stopped being in touch. The pictures were leaked through a messenger app from a computer and not through a phone. At that time, when the pictures were taken in 2013, we did not understand the power of technology and weren’t aware of how pictures get stored on the server. Now, both the incident and my relationship with Akshara are a thing of the past. Having said that, I have fond memories of our relationship. After our breakup, I moved on and had a few girlfriends, but I have learnt not to speak about my private life anymore.”

So, what does he look for in a partner? “More than anything, your partner needs to be your best friend. You may not like everything about them (and vice versa), but one needs to make adjustments and compromises. I also believe in unconditional love – regardless of fights or issues, you need to love your partner and family always,” he adds.

He is a star son, but Tanuj Virwani takes pride in having paved his own way in the big, bad world of showbiz. The actor is enjoying the reactions to two back-to-back projects in The Tattoo Murders that sees him as a ruthless baddie, and Murders Meri Jaan. In a candid chat with mid-day, Virwani talks about playing the antagonist for the first time in the Tattoo Murders and his desire to attempt comedy after a spate of serious roles.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

Some sections of the society had a problem with the title. They thought we were depicting Kamathipura and the sex workers in a negative light, which is not true. To avoid controversies, Disney+ Hotstar decided to change the title to The Tattoo Murders. However, the name is only changed in India; it dropped in other countries as Kamathipura.

Digital entertainment gives you freedom to take such risks. Luckily, my line-up of projects includes hero-centric and massy projects, so I didn’t mind dabbling in this. I often attempt different characters and see how people respond to them. When you are fronting a project, there is a lot more responsibility on you. In The Tattoo Murders, the principal character is played by Meera Chopra. [The creative freedom due to lack of pressure] allowed me to give a more gutsy performance. Unlike in Inside Edge, there is a box, and I must operate within it.

After wrapping up Code M, I was in the midst of Inside Edge 3 and was to follow it up with Cartel. With all these shows, the onus [of their success] lay on me. So, I wanted to do something different. I liked the narration of The Tattoo Murders, and where my character eventually ends up. I look up to George Clooney and Brad Pitt — they are popular because they are leading actors as well as the world’s best character actors. They will shine bright, no matter whether they are in an ensemble drama or solo project. That’s the kind of balance I want in my career.

It’s a detective drama with a mix of rom-com. I essay the role of a serious poker-faced ACP — almost like Abhishek Bachchan from Dhoom — who is chasing a con girl who has lured over 19 men into a fake marriage, and ran away with their money. I fall in love with her without realising that she is the culprit I’ve been chasing. It was shot over a start-to-finish schedule in Bhopal.

Mumbai Meri Jaan is lighter in tone compared to the other projects I am doing. I see it as my holiday project where I can have fun with my character. I want to try an out-and-out comedy because I enjoy the genre and have never got the chance to attempt it. I hope I get more such opportunities in the future. My mother [Rati Agnihotri] is concerned about my dark roles. She complains, ‘People are dying or killing or using drugs in every [series]. We never did all this’. I keep telling her that I am the product of the times we live in.

Tanuj Virwani discusses on-set preventive measures as he gears up for Dubai shoot with R Madhavan
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 12, 2020)

R Madhavan and Tanuj Virwani's upcoming web series, Seventh Sense, is the first Indian show to go on floors in Dubai post the Coronavirus pandemic. Ahead of the principal shoot on Monday, the cast and crew have been rehearsing on the set, thus familiarising themselves with the on-ground protocol. While wearing masks is a must, Virwani says the crew has to mandatorily sport PPE suits. "There are hand sanitisers every one foot in the premises. Unit hands wear bands of different colours to signify which department they belong to. The set is sanitised thrice daily — before and after the rehearsals, and once during the day."

While the producers have flown down a 35-member unit, only 10 people are allowed on the set at a time. "We have to practise physical distancing even during the rehearsals. Shoots in Dubai don't demand health officers on set, but a medical team is a phone call away. We have been barred from stepping out of our hotel." Despite the trying circumstances, Virwani is excited to share screen space with R Madhavan in the series that also stars Rohit Roy and Vijay Raaz. "I agreed to do the project because of him. He sits and shares his career experiences, which is so precious for an actor like me," he adds.

Even though away in Lonavala, Tanuj Virwani recounts fire department's three-hour rescue operation after the blaze erupted at the family home in Worli
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 27, 2020)

It was a sleepless night for the Virwanis on Wednesday when they received frantic calls from neighbours informing them that a fire had broken out at their Worli residence. While actor Rati Agnihotri has been stationed in Poland during the Coronavirus lockdown, son Tanuj and husband Anil Virwani were in their Lonavala farmhouse when the incident took place.

Tanuj reveals that a blaze erupted in the 10th storey of the highrise in the small hours of Wednesday. "About 10 people, including some senior citizens, and two dogs were stuck in the A wing penthouse. Initially, the fire engine was only able to reach up to the eighth floor. So, the firefighters broke open our house [in the B wing] to gain access to the [adjacent] penthouse and help people evacuate. Eventually, the entire building was evacuated. Thankfully, there was no casualty and no damage to our apartment," he recounts.

The Worli fire station was alerted a little after 12.30 am and the rescue operation continued till 3.45 am. "I was in Mumbai for a shoot last week and returned to Lonavala after honouring the commitment. It was a disturbing night as sitting here, we couldn't fully understand the gravity of the situation. My father did his best to coordinate with the fire department officials and give them access to our home. He also called the building's chairman to offer assistance." He adds that Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray rushed to the site at 2.30 am to appraise the situation.

Tanuj relayed the turn of events to mother Rati, who is spending the lockdown with her sister. "She panicked on hearing about the fire. My mother won't be able to return to India anytime soon. Though she has procured the necessary permission to travel, she hasn't got the clearance required for her pet dog to travel. My father will head to Mumbai in a few days to see if the house needs fixing."

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 28, 2020)

Actor Tanuj Virwani is thrilled that two of his projects will commence next month in the UAE. He has been signed on for two new web series, starring R Madhavan and Jimmy Sheirgill, respectively, which were scheduled to start shooting before the Coronavirus lockdown was announced.

“The outbreak is quite contained in the Emirates and it might be a relatively better environment to shoot in rather than in India, where the number of cases are rising everyday. The plan is to shoot in mid-July but it is subject to permission from the authorities in Abu Dhabi. Plus, international flights have to resume, too. We will have the entire cast and crew, so, a total of 80-90 people will travel from India. It’s a wait-and-watch kind of situation. These are unprecedented times, so safety is a major concern as we don’t want the shoot to stall once it starts.” He admits that the producers are also thinking about chartering a flight to reduce the potential risk.

The Inside Edge actor states that the guidelines in the UAE are strict and stringent, which “is quite reassuring”. He says, “They instil confidence in me. But the scenario is constantly evolving, so will know more soon. The government might relax a few rules or put some stringent measures in place. I am sure once we land, we will have to quarantine ourselves for a certain period of time. Everyone in the unit will have to be alert and mindful and ensure to maintain proper hygiene. As an actor, my focus is on the story and my role. I am leaving all this to my producers.”

Virwani will be shooting for both the web shows but will make two separate trips as he has few projects in India that might start shooting in July end. “I have some patchwork left for the next season of Inside Edge and have to shoot for two other web shows, Cartel and Kamathipura. I will have my work cut out as every time I go from one country to the next, I will be quarantined for sure,” he signs off.

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; November 17, 2018)

Akshara Haasan, daughter of actor and politician Kamal Haasan, filed a police complaint on Sunday stating that her private photographs were leaked on the internet. She also informed the police that she had no idea who was behind the act. Apparently, Tanuj Virwani, veteran actress Rati Agnihotri’s son, was the only one with whom Akshara had shared these pictures, according to Versova police.

Akshara and Tanuj were in a relationship before they broke up in 2016. While Tanuj had earlier denied the possession of such photos, the actor, in an exclusive chat with BT, revealed that he actually had the pictures, but he’s not the one responsible for the leak. Excerpts...

In a report published recently, you denied that you had Akshara Haasan’s leaked photos...
No, I think I was misinterpreted in that media report. I was shooting when I got a call from someone asking me about the pictures and at that point, I did not know what to say — yes, no or nothing at all! So, I denied having possession of those photos. I dated Akshara for four years (2013-2017) and during that time, like most couples, we shared our pictures. She had also shared some of her private photos with me, but I had deleted them at that time. Also, when someone called me up, I didn’t find it right to accept that I had those pictures. I did it out of chivalry. I strongly feel that the private affairs of a couple are not for public consumption. But today, after reading what has been published, I feel that my involvement in the episode has been blown out of proportion. So, I need to clarify things.

So, are you now saying that you had those pictures?
Yes, I had those pictures, but I don’t possess them anymore. I deleted them in 2013 and whether it is Akshara or anyone else, I am careful and conscious about these things. I never upload such stuff or send it out on email. It is an unnecessary risk to have such data on your phone, because both of us belong to the entertainment industry and it can harm us if the phone ends up in the wrong hands.

Akshara told the police that she had shared those pictures with a close friend. That friend is you...
That’s correct. She is referring to me, because we were in a relationship back then. Akshara and I have been in touch with each other even after the break-up. So, when this incident happened on November 2, Akshara already knew that she would have my full co-operation. I have the highest regards for her.

When did you meet Akshara for the first time?
Akshara and I have many common friends. We met in 2013 and hit it off well. It is too personal to discuss why we broke up, but she is a sweet person. We may not be together today, but there was no bad blood when we broke up. We continued being friends even after we split. She knows that she can pick up the phone and call me even now. She had informed me that she was filing an FIR and that’s the right thing to do. The police have to get to the bottom of this and find out who is responsible.

Have you approached the police?
I haven’t informed them because nobody has reached out to me. If they do, I will co-operate. If I was involved, she would have taken my name or accused me, but she hasn’t.
------------------------------
After his name surfaces in Akshara Haasan's leaked picture case, Tanuj promises support in the investigation
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 17, 2018)

Days after Akshara Haasan filed a police complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell seeking an investigation into her private photos being leaked online, her former boyfriend Tanuj Virwani's name has surfaced in the matter. The initial probe by the police indicated that Haasan had shared the photos with him in 2013.

While reports suggested that Virwani denied that he was ever in possession of the said photos, the actor told mid-day, "Akshara and I dated from 2013 to 2017. During that period, we would exchange pictures, some of which were intimate ones. I have sent her my pictures as well. It was between two consenting adults. So, I had received the pictures [in question]."

Virwani further claimed that he had deleted the images "immediately. I have switched two handsets since the pictures were received. Neither of the handsets had those pictures on them. Also, as a habit, I immediately delete any sensitive picture that I receive. So, there was no trace of it and there was no back-up as I find iCloud unsafe."

The actor added that he extended his complete support to Haasan as soon as he learnt of the case. "I understand how I end up looking like the bad guy. But if that was the case, Akshara would have called me out. While filing the FIR, when the cops asked her who was in possession of the pictures, she said I was. There is nothing to lie about here. We were dating and continued to be friends after we broke up. She knows she has my co-operation in this case.

I have been in touch with her since the pictures were leaked. I assured her that this too will pass." Virwani is likely to be questioned by the police in the next few days. "I have nothing to hide. We both know the truth. I hope the hacker is brought to task."

Akshara was in a relationship with Tanuj and had shared photos with him in 2016, cops say; Tanuj says never had such pix
Asif Rizvi (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 16, 2018)

Veteran actress Rati Agnihotri’s son Tanuj Virwani was the one with whom actress Akshara Haasan had shared her private photos, the Versova police have said. Virwani is likely to be questioned in the matter, the police said.

Akshara, daughter of actor and politician Kamal Haasan, filed a police complaint on Sunday saying her private photos were leaked on the internet. She told the police that she had no idea who was behind the act.

Akshara and Tanuj were in a relationship before they broke up in 2016. The police say Akshara had shared the photos with just “one very close friend”, even as Tanuj told Mumbai Mirror that he was never in possession of such photos.

The actress, who made her film debut in 2015 with Shamitabh, said in a lengthy Twitter post that she had approached the Mumbai Police hoping to “get to the bottom of this”.

“It’s particularly disturbing and deeply upsetting to see that at a time when the nation has woken up to the #Metoo movement, there are still people who would harass and attempt to share private pictures of a young girl in the public eye, only to derive some perverse pleasure that appeals only to them. I have reached out to the Mumbai Police and the cyber cell to seek their help in tracking the person(s) responsible for this leak and hope to get to the bottom of this soon,” she wrote.

Tanuj, who made his acting debut in 2013 with Love You Soniyo, denied having received any communication from the police. “The incident is extremely unfortunate. But I never had any such photos,” he told this newspaper. His spokesperson added that Tanuj and Akshara are friends and he will be “very happy” to help in the probe if asked to.

While Akshara remained unavailable for comment, a senior officer from Versova Police Station told Mumbai Mirror that Tanuj could be questioned within a couple of days. “Akshara was using an iPhone 6 till 2013, which had the photos. Prima facie investigation has revealed the photos were shared with Tanuj in 2013. He may be summoned for questioning,” the officer said.

Tanuj’s mother Rati, and Akshara’s father Kamal Haasan debuted together in Hindi cinema in 1981 with the superhit Ek Duuje Ke Liye, and the two went on to star in several movies in south.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; June 21, 2017)

The characters in the web series, Inside Edge, were reported to be based on Lalit Modi and Preity Zinta, essayed by Vivek Oberoi (founder of IPL) and Richa Chadha (an actress who owns a cricketer team) respectively, and the show is inspired by the IPL scam. An insider says, “It is elementary. Preity’s IPL team faced challenges, and in the series, Richa’s team is shown suffering from financial losses.”

Apparently, when Preity heard about the series, she asked her friends — producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani — to show her what they’d done. Preity, however, denies this. “No, I just heard about the show from the media. Ritesh told me last year that it was inspired by and based on South Indian characters. Then I saw the director’s interview and he clearly said that it had nothing to do with me. The show is getting publicity in my name.”

Actor Tanuj Virwani, who’s said to be playing a character based on cricketer Virat Kohli, also denies any similarity with real life. “A lot of people ask me if it’s Virat or Yuvraj. My physical appearance may suggest a likeness to a cricketer, but that’s it.”

Sayani Gupta, last seen in Jolly LLB 2, says, “My character is not based on anyone. She is the team analyst. It’s a very sharp character. She’s one of the key decision makers, and in a man’s game, a woman who probably understands the game better than a lot of men.”

Film critic and director of the series, Karan Anshuman, also denies any similarity with real life. “There’s no connection whatsoever (of Lalit Modi) with Vivek’s character. As for Richa, the comparisons started with the actress/owner connection. It’s entirely fictional.” Sarah Jane Dias, also a part of the cast, adds, “I play a fictional character — Meera Nagpal.” However, it is clear that the similarities to the IPL controversies and glamorous players will explode into a volatile scenario once the series releases on July 10.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; June 16, 2017)

He may have had an unsuccessful stint at the box office, but Tanuj Virwani is set to showcase his acting chops again in Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's maiden web series, Inside Edge. Tanuj plays the role of a bratty cricketer, the star-player of his team. The show is reportedly based on the Indian Premier League.

The actor's character, according to insiders, is loosely based on all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.

The show also stars Richa Chadha as the owner of the team that Tanuj Virwani belongs to. Even as actress-entrepreneur Priety Zinta has denied claims of Chadha's character being based on her, rumour mills suggest otherwise.

A source reveals, "For the first three seasons, Yuvraj was a part of Preity's [Zinta] IPL team [Kings XI Punjab] . Similarly, in the show, Tanuj is part of Mumbai Mavericks, a T-20 cricket franchise owned by Richa." Tanuj, who is seen making out with a cheerleader on the show, imitated Yuvi's mannerisms for his part, says a source. "Tanuj picked up various nuances of Yuvraj. His character's name is Vayu, similar to Yuvraj's pet name, Yuvi."