Abhilash Thapliyal | Kennedy actor Abhilash Thapliyal on being cast by Anurag Kashyap and his Cannes moment
Abhilash Thapliyal, an actor, recently experienced a dream come true during this year’s Cannes Film Festival. He made his first red carpet appearance for Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy, which received a seven-minute standing ovation during a midnight screening. Abhilash sat down with us to discuss his experience of receiving adulation on an international stage, as well as his upcoming projects.
How was your experience at the Cannes screening of Kennedy?
Abhilash Thapliyal: It was the most exhilarating experience of my life. My first red carpet was at the Lumiere Theatre in Cannes. Prior to the screening, I had only seen photographs of the Cannes Film Festival from the other side of the red carpet. Finally, I was walking the red carpet and met so many people, including the director of Cannes.
The highlight was when the standing ovation began. It seemed never-ending, the applause lasted for seven minutes. I have never received so much praise in my life. An actor’s work is primarily about thal or bike.
How did you get cast in Kennedy?
Abhilash Thapliyal: While shooting for Ajay Bahl’s film Blurr with Taapsee Pannu in Nainital for a month-long schedule, I received a call from an unknown number on one of my days off. It was Anurag Kashyap. He said, “I’m sending a script to you. Read it and let me know whether you’ll do it or not.”
I read the script and it was incredible. I called him back and told him that I loved the script. He said, “Loved it, to install vagaira chhod. Mujhe bata film karega or nahi karega.” So, there was no question about it. You can’t say no to Anurag Kashyap.
When I returned from the Blurr shoot, I asked him why he had chosen me for this role. He said, “Main jab likh raha tha mujhe tu hee dikh raha tha.” (When I was writing it, I could only see you.) That was like an award for me. I even told Anurag sir, “Don’t tell me such things. It will go to my head.” (Laughs)
Tell us something about your character in Kennedy.
Abhilash Thapliyal: All of my scenes are with Rahul (Bhat). I can’t say much about my character Chandan because he causes a significant shift in the storyline’s personality of Kennedy (Rahul Bhat). If I say more than this, Anurag sir will beat me!
How important is it to work with Anurag Kashyap?
Abhilash Thapliyal: Where I come from, I do seek validation. Though I am very aware of the fact that it doesn’t matter because eventually, it is about what you like and how you see things. But when someone appreciates your work, it does feel good. I seek that validation. It’s not a very evolved thing to do, but I can’t help it.
Why did you wear an Aipan motif stole at the Cannes screening of Kennedy?
Abhilash Thapliyal: I come from a media background. I have been a journalism student, and I know that the media talks more about clothes than films. So, why not utilise that opportunity and do something good for your own art form? Aipan is an old and dying art form. I wanted to revive it. I wanted to take these artists with me who are still trying to revive that art form. If the media starts talking more about films, actors will also start talking more about films than their outfits.
How do you deal with finding recognition for your projects in different ways?
Abhilash Thapliyal: Nobody knows which project will get you what. I expected a lot from my first film Dil Joonglee (2018), but it did not work. When I did Aspirants, I thought a few thousand people would watch it, and that would be all. I didn’t know that the character would become a hit. TVF created a spin-off of Aspirants called SK Sir Ki Class.
All you can do is do your work with sincerity. Not every project is going to be a success, and that is okay. Be consistent with your hard work and dedication.
What are your upcoming projects?
Abhilash Thapliyal: Maidaan, starring Ajay Devgn, will be released in June. Football enthusiasts will undoubtedly enjoy this film. I am also working on a Prime Video series with Navdeep Singh, who previously directed NH10. Aspirants Season 2 is expected to release this year. And there is a demand for season two of SK Sir Ki Class.
What are your aspirations for your career, and how are you taking steps towards achieving them?
Abhilash Thapliyal: My aspiration is to be recognised for the characters I play and not for the clothes I wear. I want to be as honest as I can with my character. Stardom may or may not happen, but I want to be a very good actor. I want to work on my craft because that is going to stay and be remembered.
I am meeting people and giving auditions to fulfil these aspirations. I am making a list of all the directors I want to work with. I was amazed at Cannes that Vikramaditya Motwane knew my name. That’s a big achievement for me. I want to be happy with these little things and at the same time keep moving forward and create more characters.
Actor Abhilash Thapliyal is living a dream. The first red carpet appearance of his life happened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy, which received a seven-minute standing ovation at a midnight screening. Abhilash chatted with us about his experience of receiving adulation on an international stage and his upcoming projects.
How was your experience of the Cannes screening of Kennedy?
Abhilash Thapliyal: It was the biggest high of my life. My first red carpet was at the Lumiere Theatre at Cannes. Before the screening, I had only seen pictures from the Cannes Film Festival from the other side of the red carpet. Finally, I was walking the red carpet and met so many people including the director of Cannes.
The high point was when the standing ovation started. It was just not ending. The applause went on for seven minutes. I have never received so many in Thalia in my life. An actor’s work is primarily about thal or bike.
How did you bag the role in Kennedy?
Abhilash Thapliyal: I was shooting in Nainital for Ajay Bahl’s film Blurr with Taapsee Pannu. It was a month-long schedule. On one of my days off, I got a call from an unknown number. It was Anurag Kashyap. He said, ‘I’m sending a script to you. Read and let me know whether you’ll do it or not.’
I read the script and it was amazing. I called him back and said that I loved the script. He said, ‘Loved it To install vagaira chhod. Mujhe bata film karega or nahi karega.’ So, obviously, there was no question. You can’t say no to Anurag Kashyap.
When I came back from the Blurr shoot, I asked him why he chose me for this role. He said, ‘Main jab likh raha tha mujhe tu hee dikh raha tha.’ (When I was writing it, I could only see you.) That was like an award for me. I even told Anurag sir, ‘Don’t tell me such things. It will go to my head.’ (Laughs)
Tell us something about your character in Kennedy.
Abhilash Thapliyal: All my scenes are with Rahul (Bhat). I can’t talk much about my character Chandan because he gives Kennedy (Rahul Bhat) a major shift in his personality in the storyline. If I tell you more than this, Anurag sir will beat me!
How big a validation is it to work with Anurag Kashyap?
Abhilash Thapliyal: Where I come from, I do seek validation. Though I am very aware of the fact that it doesn’t matter because eventually, it is about what you like and how you see things. But when someone appreciates your work, it does feel good. I seek that validation. It’s not a very evolved thing to do but I can’t help it.
You wore an Aipan motif stole at the Cannes screening of Kennedy. Was it important for you to represent your roots through your outfit on the red carpet?
Abhilash Thapliyal: I come from a media background. I have been a journalism student and I know that the media talks more about clothes than films. So, why not utilise that opportunity and do something good for your own art form? Aipan is an old art form and it’s a dying art form. I wanted to revive it. I wanted to take these artists with me who are still trying to revive that art form. If the media starts talking about films more, actors will also start talking more about films than their outfits.
Your projects TVF’s Aspirants had an instant connection with the audience whereas Faadu and Blurr have slowly found their audience. How do you deal with both ways of finding recognition?
Abhilash Thapliyal: No one knows which project will get you what. I expected a lot from my first film Dil Joonglee (2018). But it did not work. When I did AspirantsI thought a few thousand people would watch it and that’ll be all. I didn’t know that the character would become a hit. TVF created a spin-off of Aspirants called SK Sir Ki Class.
Nobody knew that Kennedy would go to Cannes. All you can do is do your work with sincerity. Neither is every project going to be a success nor is it going to be a failure. Be consistent with your hard work and dedication.
What are your upcoming projects?
Abhilash Thapliyal: Maidaan starring Ajay Devgn will release in June. Football lovers will totally enjoy this film. I am doing a Prime Video series with Navdeep Singh who earlier made NH10. Aspirants Season 2 in all probability will release this year. And there’s a demand for season two of SK Sir Ki Class.
What are your aspirations at this stage in your career? And what are the steps you’re taking towards fulfilling them?
Abhilash Thapliyal: My aspiration is only that I want to be known for the characters I play and not for the clothes I wear. I want to be as honest as I can with my character. Stardom might happen or not but I want to be a very good actor. I want to work on my craft because that is going to stay and be remembered.
And what I am doing to fulfill those aspirations is that I am meeting people and giving auditions. I am making a list of all the directors I want to work with. I was amazed at Cannes that Vikramaditya Motwane knows my name. That’s a big achievement for me. I want to be happy with these little things and at the same time keep moving forward and create more characters.
