Sarkar 3 sees Amitabh Bachchan return as the iconic character of Subhash Nagare, popularly known as Sarkar. Joining him is a new ensemble of actors including Amit Sadh, Yami Gautam and Ronit Roy, each a talented actor donning a never seen before avatar.

While Amit has wooed us with his charm in recent films like Sultan and Running Shaadi.com,  Yami who is known to play the bubbly girl next door, portrayed a blind girl with much conviction in Kaabil. Ronit has always amazed us with his brilliant performances on TV and the big screen and his recent performance as the baddie in Kaabil was no different. The three actors who play critical roles in Sarkar 3 open up about their characters, sharing screen space with Big B and more.

Amit Sadh

Amit Sadh

Amit Sadh

How were you approached for the film?

I got a message from Ram Gopal Varma asking me to come and meet him in his office. When I met him, he told me that he had not seen any of my films, but Amitabh Bachchan had recommended my name. The Casting Director of this film for me is Amitabh Bachchan. I feel lucky that I got a chance to do a film with him. I am very grateful to Ram Gopal Varma and Amitabh Bachchan for giving me this chance and I hope I haven’t let them down because there are high hopes especially from a character like Shivaji Nagre (Cheeku) because he is the blood of Subhash Nagre (Sarkar), so my character needs to have an impact.

How would you describe Shivaji Nagre? Was it easy to relate to a character like Cheeku?

I could relate to the character because when I was a kid, I clearly remember people saying that I have taken after my grandfather. That was a thought that has always stayed with me, so I could relate to Cheeku. My understanding of the character is that he is Subhash Nagre’s grandson, which means that he is his blood; his thought process, those principles, the greed and fear that weakens a person are something that my character recognizes. If I had to define Shivaji Nagre, I’d say, ‘he is Sarkar’s grandson’.

I could relate to the character because when I was a kid, I clearly remember people saying that I have taken after my grandfather

What other projects are you currently working on?

There is a series called Breathe (tentative name, it might change) which will air on Amazon Prime. I play an alcoholic cop in that, someone who has a dark past but is very good at what he does. I am currently working on Reema Kagti’s Gold and another movie called Raagdesh, which will release sometime in June.

Yami Gautam

Yami Gautam

Yami Gautam

Since your character has a negative element to it, what were your initial thoughts when you were offered the role?

I was definitely surprised, but also a bit intrigued as to what I would be doing in the film. I wanted to know why Ram Gopal Varma would want me in a role that has a negative element. The reason he said was because people have seen me in a certain genre of films and it would be very exciting to see me in such a different role and film. I loved this character because I wanted to bring out my diversity as an actor.

Tell us about your character. Also were you hesitant to take up such a grey character?

I play Annu Karkare, a girl who is out to avenge her father’s death. Sarkar was responsible for her father’s death and now she wants to kill him.

I loved the character! In a film like Sarkar, I don’t think I had to worry because there is so much mystery around my character; nothing is black or white, it is always grey. My presence in the film is justified and so the character seamlessly fit in.

There is so much mystery around my character; nothing is black or white, it is always grey

How did you establish a connect with your character?

Before we started shooting, I asked Ramu Sir if there is something that I should do. I asked because I remember that for Kaabil, we had to prepare physically and emotionally, and I joined Sarkar 3 just 2-3 days after finishing Kaabil. But when I asked him, Ramu Sir just told me to come, without doing anything. Later when I asked him the reason behind it, he told me that that there is a mystery about Annu and he didn’t want me to come with any kind of baggage.

Another thing I realized was the importance of getting the look right as it helps you get under the skin of the character. It is not about vanity, but about looking apt for the part. Your work starts when you get the look right.

Ronit Roy

Ronit Roy

Ronit Roy

Having played both positive and negative roles in your career, which one do you find more challenging?

It depends; if you are a good guy that doesn’t mean that your life is not a challenge, and if you are a bad guy, it does not mean that your life is a challenge all the time. A character is a part of the story and it has various nuances, so the good has bad and the bad has some good. Therefore, it depends on what you are playing and what challenges the script has put for that character to work on. Then, as an actor, when you put yourself in the character’s shoes, that is the challenge. It is challenging how you as an actor overcome the character’s challenge.

You have recently played the baddie in quite a few films, do you enjoy playing the bad guy?

As long as it is integral to the story, I don’t mind playing the negative character. There is good and bad present in every person or every situation. If there never was a villain, there wouldn’t be a hero because he wouldn’t have anything to overcome. Plus, if you see it from that character’s perspective, he could be good. My role in Udaan was thought to be that of a negative father, but all he was trying to do was get his son a good job, so he could settle down and not face the problems that the father himself had faced. So, it depends on the character.

If there never was a villain, there wouldn’t be a hero because he wouldn’t have anything to overcome

How was your experience sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan?

It was absolutely wonderful! He is legendary in his work and not just in his work, he is legendary in every way. There is a sea of knowledge right there in front of you to observe and learn. He guides you as an actor. Sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan was my best experience of working with someone.