Jitin Gulati on Dark Roles, Acting Challenges, and His Upcoming Projects

Jitin Gulati, known for his intense and dark roles in Bambai Meri Jaan, Kaala, and Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper, has been attracting attention with his versatile performances. In this interview, Jitin opens up about his approach to acting, the process behind portraying intense characters, and his exciting upcoming projects.
Q: Considering your latest projects, you have been attracted to playing dark and intense roles, be it Bambai Meri Jaan, Kaala, or Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper. Is that a conscious decision?
Jitin Gulati: I feel it’s only 50% my doing because my ability to take on a project mostly depends on the makers and the stories that choose me. You audition for many projects, but it's the stories that choose where you fit best. So, it’s ultimately the other way around. That said, I do feel drawn to roles that are distant from who I am, but it’s not a conscious decision. It’s exciting to play roles that are beyond my immediate life and experiences.
Q: What kind of roles attract you as a performer?
Jitin Gulati: More than the roles, my decision depends on the people behind them. Cinema is not about what you say, but how you say it. Because of that, I prioritize working with the right people who I can learn from. I believe the language of a project changes significantly depending on who directs it. So, my decision rests on the makers, storytellers, and the team I work with.

Q: How easy or difficult is it to get into the skin of such intense characters? Can you tell us about your prep process?
Jitin Gulati: In the beginning, every role and its prep seem daunting because you’re entering the unknown, and you don’t know if you’ll reach the ideal end you have envisioned for the character. But that’s where the script and the team come into play to shape the process. I enjoy working with characters who have distinct dialects, orientations, and desires—the more specifics, the better for building that character. If I’m playing a gangster from the Konkani belt, the dialect and era need to be accurate. Every role demands different prep and mindset. It starts from a place of nothing, and you build it slowly. You’re not always fully satisfied, but at least you know you’ve reached somewhere meaningful with it.

Q: CA Topper was quite a bold character. Can you share something about your journey in preparing for that role?
Jitin Gulati: I don’t see CA Topper as a bold character. For me, he’s an everyday guy trying to make a living by selling his services. I understand he’s involved in sex work, but for him, that’s just work, and the moral issues are set aside. His sense of right and wrong, shaped by the life he’s led, isn’t central to his decisions. He doesn’t judge the work he’s doing, and neither did I while playing him. The series is set in UP, so there was also a physical and dialect preparation to understand the nuances of that world.

Q: You’ve worked on both digital platforms and the big screen. Do you approach these different mediums differently in terms of acting and preparation?
Jitin Gulati: No, I don’t. At the end of the day, it’s all about storytelling. Beyond my craft and skill, there has to be truth in my performance. If I approach any role or medium with these tools, the role becomes easily conceivable. The main difference with OTT is that you get more time to explore a character and delve into their nuances, especially when the show goes on for multiple seasons. But in terms of output, preparation, and input, it’s essentially the same.

Q: Can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
Jitin Gulati: I’m part of a supernatural horror film directed by Vishal Furia. I’ve also completed work on Girls Will Be Girls, which was directed by Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha. The film has already been released in the US and even won the Best Film at Sundance. I’m also starting work on a Tamil period fantasy drama, which I’ll begin shooting at the end of this year.
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