Nishant Singh Malkhani: South is creating stuff that can be compared with Hollywood

By:- Aakruti Bagla

Mumbai: Popular television actor Nishant Malkhani, who rose to fame with the show Ram Milaye Jodi, later went on to entertain us with his stint in shows like Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega and Rakshabandhan… Rasal Apne Bhai Ki Dhal among others. The actor is currently gearing up for his next show Control Room in which he will essay the role of a cop.

In an exclusive interaction with Absolute India News, the actor spilt beans about apprehensions about playing a cop, change of choice, South wave in Bollywood and much more. Excerpts:

You are playing a cop for the first time. Were there any apprehensions when you took up this role and how did you prepare for it?

Yes, there were apprehensions as there is a certain kind of responsibility to fulfil when one wears the uniform. I did a lot of research about the Mumbai Police Protocols, Uniform and post. I even took references from films like Aamir Khan’s Sarfarosh and Ajay Devgn’s Gangaajal as they were close to reality.

Have your process of choosing projects evolved over the years?

Yes, it has. Earlier I was fine doing any kind of role but now I look forward to doing something that challenges me to the core. I also see that the character has the responsibility of running the show on the should as I possess that talent, hard work, and dedication.

Are you looking forward to taking up web shows and Bollywood films?

One of my web shows is out and I have shot for two which are currently in the post-production process. In the past, I did 2-3 films which tanked since the makers were not established. But later I realised doing a film with a renowned filmmaker is a wise decision as your efforts don’t go in vain.

On that note, is any director on your wishlist?

I would love to work with Rohit Shetty as he is an amazing director and I look up to him. Now that I am in a cop uniform and he is touted to be the king of the cop universe, I wish he sees the promo of the show as somewhere he will definitely want me to be a part of his cop universe.

Do you feel that the audience viewing pattern has altered post-pandemic?

I think post-pandemic people have got the taste of the web and realistic cinema. So if you see films down south, the presentation is undoubtedly over-the-top, but the realism of the story is maintained. This is one essence that Bollywood ceases to maintain, which is why films fail to fare.

What are your views on the South wave hitting Bollywood?

It’s an alert that we need to improve the content so that audience doesn’t get bored watching our cinema. South has somewhere done that and is creating stuff that can be compared with Hollywood. So now even Bollywood needs to buck up as it will carve opportunities for talented actors, directors and producers.