Abhay Verma, currently basking in the success of his latest film Munjya, has been garnering widespread recognition for his performance. The film, a collaboration with producer Dinesh Vijan, marks a significant milestone in Verma's career, but it wasn't his first brush with Vijan's work.
Verma had long admired Vijan's production, particularly after witnessing the 2012 film Cocktail. Prior to Munjya, another opportunity arose to work with Vijan on Angrezi Medium, a film that held special significance as it was the last film featuring the late Irrfan Khan.
However, Verma ultimately declined the offer due to the limited role he was offered. The role I was offered was a bit small, and I had received another film in a leading role with better screen space, he explained. Unfortunately, that other film project never materialized.
Despite his disappointment, Verma acknowledges the valuable lessons he gained from his previous roles, including his portrayal of a terrorist in The Family Man, a transgender in Safed, and a patriot in Ae Watan Mere Watan.
Regarding The Family Man, Verma emphasized the enduring impact of dedicated work. I had a major positive takeaway from The Family Man that if you work with honesty for five days in your life, it would get you recognition for 50 years.
However, the reception of Safed left him disheartened. With Safed's reception, I was really disheartened, he admitted.
Verma's transformation into the transgender character in Safed was particularly demanding. I was so engrossed in that portrayal that on the day of screening, my director came up to me and asked if the boy who played Chandi's role has arrived or not, he recalled.
I had to tell him that it was me who did that role. He hugged me thrice post that and that was my biggest win that my director couldn't recognize me, Verma added.
His preparation for the role had a profound impact on him. I went to Benaras a couple of months before the entire team came. I would get ready in a salwar kurta and go on streets to observe how transgenders are actually treated, he explained.
I wanted to give a portrayal that even after 10 years, if an actor is doing a trans role, their director tells them to look at my role as a reference, he asserted.
While Verma is now enjoying the success of Munjya, he acknowledges the challenging period that preceded it. After completing Munjya, I played a gamble with my life for one-and-a-half years, he revealed.
I wanted to wait to see the response to it before taking any further step in my career. I somehow managed that time with my savings but I had to sacrifice a lot as well, he added.
I haven't been to a restaurant in over one-and-a-half years. In the last three-four months, I even started feeling a little suffocated but thankfully, the wait proved fruitful otherwise mera Panipat ka bag almost pack ho hi gaya tha, he quipped.
Verma's dedication and perseverance, coupled with his exceptional performances, have finally earned him the recognition he deserves. As he continues to navigate his career, he remains grounded and grateful for the opportunities that have come his way.
