Actor Arshad Warsi, who is more popular for his comedic turns in "Munna Bhai", "Golmaal" and "Dhamaal", has now made waves with the film ‘Durgamati’ starring Bhumi Pednekar.
Arshad recently appeared on “The Kapil Sharma Show” where the comedian Kapil Sharma roasted the actor by asking, “Arshad bhai, the entire year went by in lockdown. There was no sequel to Golmaal this year, neither for Dhamaal. How did you pay you EMIs then?”
This left Arshad bursting into laughter.
The actor was accompanied by Pednekar, Mahie Gill and Karan Kapadia.
Before breaking into Bollywood, Arshad used to choreograph for plays and jazz performances and is credited as a choreographer for the title track of Anil Kapoor-Sridevi-starrer "Roop Ki Raani Choron Ka Raja" (1993).
Three years later, he made his debut with Amitabh Bachchan-produced "Tere Mere Sapne" and what followed was a string of unsuccessful films like "Hero Hindustani" and "Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet".
In his 24-year-long career, Warsi has appeared in only over 50 films, he said the aim has always been to do projects he enjoys being part of.
He went on to appear in a plethora of comic roles in films like "Hulchul", "Salaam Namaste", and "Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya", besides playing more complex characters in "Sehar", "Ishqiya", and "Jolly LLB".
In an interview with PTI, the actor said he has often been called an "underrated" actor, something he takes as a compliment.
"That's the reality. For me, being underrated is a compliment. I have also been told; I am not utilised. I could have done a lot more work." Warsi is looking forward to the release of "Durgamati", which he said, gave him the opportunity to explore a new world.
Directed by G Ashok, the film is a remake of his own Telugu-Tamil bilingual "Bhaagamathie" (2018), which featured "Baahubali" star Anushka Shetty.
When he takes on a remake, Warsi said, it is important for him to understand the space of the movie. In the case of "Durgamati", he said he saw the original movie to understand the sensibility.
The film, released on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, features Pednekar as an IAS officer alongside Warsi's powerful politician, Ishwar Prasad. It also stars Jisshu Sengupta, Mahie Gill and Karana Kapadia.
The horror thriller, backed by superstar Akshay Kumar, revolves around a government officer (Pednekar), who is made the victim of a major conspiracy involving powerful forces.
Warsi said horror as a genre is tougher to shoot because it is physically demanding.
"Fortunately, I didn't have to go through the hard work; Bhumi has gone through a lot. My part was in a comfort zone, I was not involved in scarier parts," he said, adding, he is not a great fan of the horror genre as a viewer.
Asked about the film's release on the streamer, the actor said it is more important for the film to be watched by audience, irrespective of platform.
"OTT platforms have been helpful. If they weren't there, we could have been in big trouble. OTT has been helpful to cinema though theatres will always remain relevant," Warsi said.
The actor will next be seen alongside Akshay Kumar in "Bachchan Pandey".
