The expectations placed on actors based on their appearance have long been a topic of discussion in the entertainment industry. From conventional ideas of heroism to assumptions about an actor’s social background based on their physical appearance, performers have often spoken about the pressure to fit predetermined moulds.Actors Pratik Gandhi and Arshad Warsi have now shared their own perspectives on such expectations, recalling experiences from their respective journeys in the industry.
Pratik Gandhi recalls being asked to have a ‘rich look’ for TV roles
Pratik Gandhi, who recently shared screen space with Arshad Warsi in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s crime drama ‘Ghamasaan’, opened up about the advice he received during his early years of auditioning for television to News18.The actor recalled being told that aspiring performers needed to develop a particular appearance to be considered for certain roles. He said the same kind of advice continues to circulate among aspiring actors even today.“This happened in my initial years when I would audition for television shows. Even today, when I speak to my friends, I realise that the messages that get forwarded to aspiring actors is still the same,” Pratik said in the interview with the afore mentioned publication.
Arshad Warsi calls Bollywood’s appearance standards ‘the stupidest thing ever’
Reacting to the idea of judging actors on whether they fit a particular appearance, Arshad Warsi strongly questioned the conventional standards associated with leading men in Bollywood. Calling the expectation “the stupidest thing ever”, Warsi said actors need to remain realistic about their own appearance and the kind of characters they can convincingly portray.“Tomorrow if I say that I look like Hrithik Roshan, then I’m a fool. One has got to be realistic,” Warsi said.The actor also pointed out that he is not 6’2”, using his own physicality to explain why performers should understand their individual strengths rather than try to conform to a fixed idea of what a Bollywood hero is supposed to look like.
Arshad Warsi on physicality and casting expectations
Warsi further illustrated his point by referring to a superhero character such as Thor. Given the physical characteristics generally associated with such a role, he suggested that he would naturally not be the obvious choice for the part.
Pratik Gandhi and Arshad Warsi’s upcoming projects
Pratik Gandhi and Arshad Warsi recently appeared together in ‘Ghamasaan’, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and available to stream on ZEE5. Warsi is set to appear in Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘King’, while Gandhi has ‘Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan?’ and ‘Hum Hindustani’ among his upcoming projects.