Avinash Tiwary Credits Imtiaz Ali for Pushing Him Beyond Physical Vanity in 'O Saathi Re'
Actor Avinash Tiwary has revealed that filmmaker Imtiaz Ali pushed him into uncharted emotional territory with their upcoming Netflix romantic-drama series, "O Saathi Re", describing it as one of the most difficult roles he has ever undertaken. The series marks a highly anticipated reunion between the actor and director following their 2018 collaboration on the romance-drama "Laila Majnu", which has since achieved cult status for its poignant storytelling.
Transforming Perspectives on Beauty and Desire
Tiwary credits Ali with fundamentally altering his perspective on "vanity and desirability", a transformation that began with "Laila Majnu" and continues with "O Saathi Re". In an interview with PTI, the actor elaborated on how Ali's direction made him transcend the limitations of physical appearance.
"He made me go beyond the idea of the physical self-existing with 'Laila Majnu'. It has affected me to a point where, post that, in my head, the idea of physical beauty became redundant. To my eyes and my understanding, the value for it and the way it's celebrated changed," Tiwary explained.
"It continues with 'O Saathi Re', where we let go of the physical. That is when we get into figuring out what's going on really inside, and that is what he's able to do," he added, emphasizing the director's unique approach to character exploration.
An Evocative Exploration of Love in Contemporary Times
Billed as an "evocative exploration of the vintage feeling of love in contemporary times", "O Saathi Re" delves deeply into themes of love, relationships, and complex human dilemmas. The series also features acclaimed actors Aditi Rao Hydari and Arjun Rampal in significant roles, adding to its star power and narrative depth.
According to Tiwary, what makes Ali's direction truly unique is his exceptional ability to uncover emotional layers that even actors themselves may not be consciously aware of. "He's someone who brings out the layers that are stuck deep inside, which you are not aware of yourself. I feel that is possible when you are yourself beyond the idea of the physical. It's pushed me in that direction," the actor noted.
"I'm not sure it's the best thing for an actor, but I want to hold on to it because I admire it. That's a really big contribution that he has made," Tiwary further stated, highlighting the profound impact of Ali's mentorship.
A Challenging Yet Blessing Collaboration
For Tiwary, working with Imtiaz Ali is both a challenge and a "blessing". He described how he simply has to surrender to the filmmaker, who possesses a deeper understanding of the human psyche than he does. "Every time action was said, my body would resist, I would run away from the part. So, to hold on to him has been really difficult," he confessed.
"Thankfully, I'm working with creators who know much more than I do, and that is a blessing in itself. I don't have to think much; I just have to bring my 100 percent into it. But this one was difficult, and I really hope it comes through in a good way, and it doesn't look that effort has been put into it and looks effortless," Tiwary expressed, underscoring the demanding nature of the role.
Reflections on Recent Projects and Future Hopes
Tiwary also took time to reflect on his last released film, "O Romeo", directed by the esteemed Vishal Bhardwaj. Released on February 13, the film was a significant milestone in Tiwary's career, offering him the opportunity to collaborate with one of Indian cinema's most respected directors. However, the actor expressed hope that the film would have been liked by many more during its theatrical run.
"O Romeo" is a fictional take on the real-life story of gangsters Sapna Didi and Hussain Ustara, inspired by a chapter from Hussain Zaidi's "Mafia Queens of Mumbai". The action thriller, featuring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, received a mixed response from critics and audiences but has minted over Rs. 100 crores worldwide, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.
Tiwary described working with Bhardwaj as one of the most precious moments in his nearly two-decade-long acting career. "As an artist, I have grown. I know that in that part, I've tried and expanded many things which I have never done before, a lot of which you don't see in the film that you saw finally. But it's taken a lot from me," he shared.
The actor is keen to collaborate with Bhardwaj again on a future project, hoping to win over audiences more comprehensively. "I really hope that I get a chance again to work with him, and then all the people who have been slightly disheartened, we both are able to win them all over. That's the only hope I have," Tiwary stated optimistically.
Upcoming Releases and Career Trajectory
Looking ahead, Avinash Tiwary is eagerly awaiting the release of his feature film, "Ginny Wedss Sunny 2", scheduled to hit theatres on April 24. This sequel to the 2020 romantic-comedy of the same name is presented by Zee Studios and Soundrya Production, produced by Vinod Bachchan and Umesh Kumar Bansal.
The film boasts an ensemble cast including Medha Shankr, Lillete Dubey, Sudhir Pandey, Govind Namdev, and others, promising to deliver laughter and heartwarming moments. As Tiwary continues to navigate diverse roles and collaborations with visionary directors like Imtiaz Ali and Vishal Bhardwaj, his career trajectory reflects a commitment to artistic growth and challenging narratives in contemporary Indian cinema.
