Recently, somebody asked Abhishek Banerjee how it was going being an "outsider" in the film industry. The joke referred to the unending discourse over outsiders struggling in nepotistic Bollywood. "I told him this outsider has two films coming out on Independence Day," Banerjee says with a laugh.
In the horror-comedy sequel Stree 2, Banerjee reprises his role as Jana, the protagonist's goofy sidekick. In the action film Vedaa, he plays the chief baddie, a gangster-politician in Uttar Pradesh.
For the Kharagpur-born 39-year-old, who had a humble upbringing in Chennai, followed by decades of struggle through theatre and showbiz, playing pivotal roles of such marked variety in two bigticket theatrical releases is a bewildering new reality.
This story is from the 16th September, 2024 edition of India Today.
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This story is from the 16th September, 2024 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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