Rajiv Thakur was recently seen in the OTT show ‘
IC814: The Kandahar Hijack
,’ which received positive feedback from both audiences and critics. In a recent interview, the actor discussed his long wait for a good role in the industry and expressed his joy at being part of the OTT series alongside leading actors.
In conversation with Hindustan Times, Rajiv shared his frustration about being rejected without even being given the chance to audition.
He recalled his theatre days and emphasised that
casting directors
often dismiss him based on his image without considering his potential. ‘I keep telling people to
audition
me. Log ghar baith ke reject kar dete hain ‘
arre nahi
, yeh isse nahi hoga, yeh role iski image ko suit nahi karega’, (No, this won’t work for him, this role doesn’t suit his image,) he added.
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He expressed his desire for a fair opportunity, urging directors to at least call him in for auditions before rejecting him. He highlighted how casting director Mukesh Chhabra envisioned him in a significant role in ‘IC814,’ questioning why others don’t do the same.
Thakur also spoke about his long-standing desire to play a “hero,” not necessarily as the protagonist but even as an antagonist, as he simply wants to showcase his acting talent. Known primarily for his roles in
comedy shows
with Kapil Sharma, Thakur emphasized his passion for exploring diverse roles beyond just comedic performances.
He further acknowledged that actors often prioritize commercial success, sometimes compromising on quality to be part of big projects. However, he emphasized that the show he worked on was as entertaining and exciting (“masaledaar”) as he had hoped, and he didn’t want to wait any longer for such an opportunity.
Rajiv revealed that many people were unaware of his
theatre background
, as comedy was something he never took too seriously. While plays required months of rehearsal, comedy sketches were often rehearsed for just a few days. He felt it was important to step out of this comedy niche. Thakur expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to debut on a prestigious platform alongside renowned figures.
‘IC814: The Kandahar Hijack’ also featured Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, and Arvind Swamy in key roles.