Period dramas are the perfect way to relive different eras and the rich stories of our history. The larger-than-life sets, opulent costumes and stunning visuals bring alive the narrative and its characters, but one common thread across all such sagas is that while we root for the hero, all eyes are on the antagonist as well.

And when you think of villains, who better than Ashutosh Rana! He has given Indian cinema some of its most iconic adversaries — be it the role of a transwoman in Sangharsh, a serial killer in Dushman and now, the actor will be seen as Aurangzeb in MX Players’ upcoming show, Chhatrasal.

Speaking about the same, Ashutosh said, “I’ve always believed that a great story must have a courageous hero but his victory is celebrated even more so if he’s facing a larger-than-life opponent. Chhatrasal’s magnanimous victory is still cherished because of the rival he faced and the uphill battle he undertook to fight for Bundelkhand’s independence. Historical dramas are journeys into the past so they always take more effort. I’ve always found period dramas and biopics fascinating...”