Akshay Oberoi: You can’t judge a character, or you won’t be able to portray it authentically

Akshay Oberoi will be seen playing the antagonist Firoz in 2014, a role that required extensive physical and psychological preparation. The film explores themes of radicalisation, rage and ideological conflict, and portraying such a morally complex character meant spending months understanding the forces that shape individuals like him.The actor says, “2014 has honestly been one of the most emotionally demanding experiences of my career. Playing an antagonist is never just about looking intimidating or being aggressive on screen. I wanted to understand what drives a person towards darkness and how rage, loneliness, conditioning and ideological influence shape someone’s choices. I spent a lot of time reading about radicalisation and conflict psychology. What fascinated me was Firoz’s moral ambiguity.”He adds, “The preparation was demanding both physically and mentally, but the psychological aspect was the toughest. You are constantly engaging with difficult emotions and uncomfortable truths about human nature. That pushed me far outside my comfort zone, which is exactly what drew me to the role.”Ask him whether he ever found himself questioning Firoz’s actions while preparing for the role, and Akshay replies, “You can’t judge the character you are playing, otherwise you can’t really play him. If I start reacting to the things Firoz is doing, I won’t be able to portray him authentically. You can’t let your judgment come in the way. When I look back after playing him, do I fully understand what he was doing? Not really. But while portraying him, my job was to understand where he was coming from, not to judge him.”For Akshay, navigating complex emotional territory has become easier with experience. He says, “As I have grown as an actor, it has become easier to access different emotional spaces. Experience has deepened my performances because I have gone through more in life. I have seen different highs and lows, and becoming a father has also changed my perspective. Those experiences naturally find their way into my work.He adds, “Sometimes actors take themselves too seriously, and I am guilty of that as well. At times, you simply have to get out of your own way and trust the character. The less you impose yourself on a role, the more honestly it can come through.”