Angad Bedi has showcased remarkable diversity with his recent projects. The model turned actor has a penchant for performance-oriented characters, which clearly resonates in his choice of roles. In a chat with Pandolin, Angad talks about his character in the Amazon web series Inside Edge, how being honest to the character is of prime importance and his wish list of directors.

Angad Bedi

Angad Bedi

You’ve been on a roll with Pink, Dear Zindagi, and now Inside Edge.  How has the journey helped you grow as an actor?

With every project, you grow as an artist. Pink gave me the platform of getting acceptance. Dear Zindagi gave me a bigger banner through Dharma (Productions). Arvind Vashishth, the captain of the team in Inside Edge has, by far, been my most complex character. He is the only positive character in the series.

Was it a homecoming of sorts to play a cricketer in the series? Was it more relatable?

To play a cricketer or any other personality is not easy. I might have the basic understanding of the game but you still have to portray how a cricketer is; the body language plays a very important role.I had to go back into the nets to work on my batting technique. Arvind is a respected person. He doesn’t command authority, it’s with him because of the respect every team member has for him.

Web is the future of entertainment and content, so you have to move with the times

You seem to be drawn to strong characters that have their own voice, be it with shades of grey in a movie like Pink or honest and upfront in Inside Edge. Is it a conscious choice?

I like characters that are powerful. And which are performance-oriented. Yes, the attempt is definitely deliberate to be part of such journeys as I want each character of mine to be remembered. I liked how Rajvir Singh from Pink was perceived. He had a his own voice but had a feudal mindset due to his conservative upbringing.

Angad Bedi

Angad Bedi plays a cricketer in Inside Edge

You’ve done 24, various films and now a web show. Does the medium alter your approach to a character or the way you perform?

24 was a cameo that I did that for Rensil D’Silva (Director) because he gave me Ungli. Web is the future of entertainment and content, so you have to move with the times.

You’ve also been part of several ensemble casts, and have managed to shine through them, how does an actor stay in tandem with the other characters and yet get an edge over them?

Ensemble cast films happen only when the script is powerful and so is the maker. It’s tough to put an ensemble film together, it’s not about having an edge over the other characters. You just need to be honest to your character and hope that you find acceptance with the audience.

Arvind Vashishth has, by far, been my most complex character

What other stories/characters would you like to explore in the future?

I would love to do something with Aanand L Rai sir because he writes such real characters. So does Shoojit (Sircar) da. Imtiaz Ali is also someone I would love to reach out. Also Anurag Singh, who has taken Punjabi cinema to a whole new level is on my wish list. He has done some great work. I wish to work with people like Shakun Batra and Nitesh Tiwari; I love their storytelling.