Abhay Arora is known for his intense role as Yasir in Dhurandhar 2, but the actor insists the character is far removed from who he is in real life. In an exclusive interaction, he opened up about portraying brutality on screen, sustaining an injury during filming, and fulfilling a dream of working with stars like Ranveer Singh.
Abhay Arora on bagging the role of Yasir
Reflecting on his character, Abhay admitted, “It’s very unlike my personality. They call me a gentle giant, but as an actor it was lovely.” He added that the role gave him a chance to explore a darker side. “As much opportunity I had to express the brutality of this character, I did. As you could see in some of the scenes, it’s evident in the eyes. It was quite nice to be like that.”
Despite playing an intense role, the actor shared that he maintains a clear boundary between work and personal life. “As a professional, it doesn’t really go back with you to home… but you know what audience would feel when they see it. That is something which comes to your mind,” he explained, emphasising how audience perception plays a crucial role in his performance choices.
Talking about the action sequences, Abhay revealed a painful incident on set. “We had the best action team… but there was this sharp edge of the equipment which I was getting pulled off and it went in my ankle. It just kept going in,” he recalled. Describing the moment, he said it felt like a real-life version of what is often portrayed on screen. “Like how we see in action sequences… a sharp edge going in, cutting further and further. I felt that was happening.”
On sustaining a serious injury
What stood out was his determination to complete the shot despite the injury. “The director said cut and we were like, oh, it’s bleeding… but the shot was ready. It was just the last bit,” he shared. Remembering a famous line, he added, “I remember someone from the industry said that the show must go on and that’s Raj Kapoor. So I was like, this can be fixed after, the shot is more important.” Only after finishing did he receive first aid.
Abhay also spoke about sharing screen space with industry veterans. “It’s like a dream come true to share a screen with people you have grown up seeing… they are just phenomenal,” he said, adding that beyond their talent, their humility left a lasting impression on him.
Looking ahead, the actor expressed excitement for future opportunities. “I’m ready for whatever challenging character comes my way… I feel more evolved and more accepted by the industry,” he said, hoping his work and range continue to be recognised.
