Abhishek Duhan: Audiences love the grandeur of the big screen

Abhishek Duhan has done films like Sultan, Patakha, 'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, among others. The actor is now seen playing the lead role in Mandali. He talks about his journey. “I believe my best work is yet to come and I'm working hard towards it. I've been in a few films like 'Sultan,' which was my debut and a great start for me. 'Pataakha' was another significant one, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. I think working with someone like him is a dream for anyone, and I'm fortunate that my dream came true,” he says. He continues, “Then there's 'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga,' directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar which had a fantastic cast, and I had a lot of fun working on the film. Shelly Chopra Dhar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anil Kapoor sir, and everyone provided such strong support and encouragement that it truly boosted my spirits."

Mandali is his first film where he plays the lead. “It's a story about my character, Purshotam, who is a Ramleela actor. It's a story about an artist's struggle and a husband and wife's relationship, especially during difficult times. It's about how it's hard to understand each other when you have different opinions and mindsets, but the essence of love is in trying to see each other beyond their physical self. It's about how the younger generation always has the pressure to prove themselves to their family. But, most importantly, this story is about Ramleela, a platform through which we educate future generations about our culture, our traditions, our values, and the great Lord Ram,” he says.

Film industry has evolved and audiences are back to theaters with Pathaan, Gadar 2 and Jawaan etc doing well. Agreeing on this, he says, “Our film industry has evolved significantly, and I believe we continue to evolve with time. I'm thrilled that my industry is transforming in the right direction. It's not that we always make perfect movies; sometimes, we make mistakes. Nevertheless, I'm content with my industry, which I consider my home. Audiences are returning to theaters and enjoying films. There are films which are not like the highest grossing films but still they have the ability to touch people's hearts. However, it's our responsibility to offer the right kind of entertainment and not misuse different platforms. The theater is like a stage where we present modern stories and techniques, and I believe this will continue. Audiences prefer the grandeur of the big screen, surround sound, and spectacular visuals."