Exclusive - Puneett Chouksey on becoming TV’s new ‘Angry Young action hero’ in Advocate Anjali Awasthi; says '‘I’m living the character’s fire'

Puneett Chouksey, who plays the lead role of Ved Rajyavanshi in Advocate Anjali Awasthi, opened up about action, adrenaline, and his mother’s priceless reaction to the show. The actor, who portrays the gritty and justice-driven Ved, shared that the role has been a complete plunge into action.“In many shows there are a lot of fight sequences, but in this show I’ve done quite a few more. They project me as an action hero, an angry young action hero. The ‘Angry Young Man’ is legacy. If Ved is carrying even a bit of that fire forward on TV today, I’m honoured.”Most of Puneett’s earlier work was Mumbai-based, where sets come with rigs, wires and harnesses. Advocate Anjali Awasthi, shot in Kolkata, flipped the script.“The type of fights we do in Mumbai are a little different because we use a lot of equipment to fight. But here in Kolkata it's more organic. You know, many sequences are done without harnesses and other things we use for height. Without them, all of you are fighting on the ground, you're fighting in the studio, you're fighting anywhere — it's a different experience,” he explains.That raw approach means longer takes, real falls, and bruises that don’t need makeup. “You feel every hit. But that’s what makes it honest.”For Puneett, action isn’t filler between dialogues — it’s character work.“I love shooting fight scenes because they test every part of me — strength, focus, and instinct. Each punch tells a story, and the adrenaline is real. On set, I’m not just acting, I’m living the character’s fire, and that raw energy is addictive. If Ved is angry, I have to be angry. You can’t fake that breath,” he says.Behind Ved’s brooding jackets and intense stare is a regimen Puneett refuses to compromise.“For action scenes, fitness is my real costume. Workout, diet, sleep, I don’t skip any of it. A healthy body lets me take hits, deliver easily, and keep going take after take. If I’m not fit, I can’t be the hero they expect,” he admits.“Action roles demand respect for your body. I train like my life depends on it, clean eating, discipline, and daily workouts. Staying fit isn’t vanity, it’s survival. The camera catches every breath, so I make sure my strength and stamina are always fight-ready.”Awards and ratings matter, but Puneett knows who his toughest critic is. “The best review I get is from my mother. After watching my action scenes, she calls and says, ‘Beta, you looked like a real hero.’ No award or TRP can beat that moment. If I’ve made her proud, I’ve won the biggest fight already,” he says, visibly emotional.Without giving spoilers, Puneett hints that Ved’s arc is only getting darker and more physical. “The stakes are higher now. Ved isn’t just fighting goons — he’s fighting his past. And yes, there are some sequences we shot with zero cuts. Waiting for it.”With Advocate Anjali Awasthi consistently rising popularity Puneett’s Ved Rajyavanshi is quickly becoming the face of a new wave of TV action — grounded, personal, and unapologetically intense. And if his mother’s calls are anything to go by, the “Angry Young action hero” has already won.