While I played the husband to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Sarabjit, I played the brother to Sushmita Sen in Aarya, says Ankur Bhatia

Ankur Bhatia is known for his work in films such as ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Haseena’, and also the OTT series ‘Aarya’. After having moved to the United States to pursue a Master's degree in Mathematics, he began his work in top tier consulting firms. But, the filmy guy in him just couldn’t sit idle. That explains the reason why he came back to India and made the country his domain forever.

OTTplay caught up with the versatile actor who has the upcoming series ‘Crakdown 2’ up for streaming.

Hi Ankur! To start with, let’s do some warm-up. What is what is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say the following?

Rendered (a show that he did during his ‘primitive years’ in showbiz)
When I started my career as an actor in New York, I was a part time actor, because I was working full time into finance. I play this guy Dias, who was only in photo. (smiles)

Coconut Grove
It was a career changing film for me.

Payal Sethi
My first director

Before we come get cracking on Crackdown, tell us how does it feel to be possibly one of the very chosen ones to avoid with both the beauty queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (‘Sarabjit’) as well as Sushmita Sen (‘Aarya’).
Iam very thankful. And you know now when I look back at it, I think it was my destiny. And you know how Steve Jobs once said that, you need to connect the dots. I played the husband to Aishwarya Rai in ‘Sarabjit’, and I was brother to Sushmita Sen in ‘Aarya’.

Also Read: Ankur Bhatia: Actors are getting their dues with the OTT boom, it's a blessing!  

How does it feel for the second season of ‘Crackdown’? What can fans expect from your character this time?
You know, I'm very eagerly waiting for the season because in season one, you know, because there are so many characters it was set up in a way where my character came in and out, but not ample meat to it. But now in season two, you'll see the whole graph of Tariq unfold. And you know, there's a lot more gravity and shades to his character in this season because he's kind of stuck in a situation where he has done something that would be like putting him in the limelight and his country. And he's doing right. And it actually has backfired. 

Also Read: Ankur Bhatia lands role of an antagonist in Shahid Kapoor-Ali Abbas Zafar’s next

How will you describe your character?
In season one, if you see Tariq, it wa s just a one-dimensional character, who is doing all the menacing activities. But, in the second season, you will see a different me. Totally unbelievable. The beauty of the show’s second season is that he has many people around him. And life becomes such a challenge to him that so he has basically no choice but to kind of go with the flow of things. Season two will see the graph of Taariq unfold. Appu (Apoorva Lakhia) has beautifully changed the graph of the show. Every episode is an edge of the seat thriller.

How would you describe the overall tone and the atmosphere of season two as compared to season one?
Season one was the premise being set up. Without giving too much of information, let me tell you that season two will be definitely every minute of sheer viewing pleasure. This season will see me doing hardcore action, the way its shot in films. The quality of action which is present for an OTT platform in ‘Crackdown 2’, is on another level altogether. There’s one action scene between me and Saqib, which took place over three full days. There is a lot of choreography, lot of punches, a lot of blasts and gun shoots. There are some hardcore action stuff, nail-biting chases and much, much more. All in all, it was like shooting for 4-5 action films in one!

In one word, how would you describe your co-stars?
Saqib Salim
He is the ‘Pathaan’ for me

Shreya Pilgaonkar
Chirpy

Iqbal Khan
Stern

Waluscha D'souza
Very pretty

Apoorva Lakhia
Very loyal

How is Apoorva Lakhia as the director?
He likes to start early and doesn’t like to work too late. Not many people know that he was the AD (Assistant Director) in ‘Lagaan’. He has worked in Hollywood and also, he is the man who got the concept of ‘call-sheets’ in India. He is very thorough in his preparation. He is a simple director and he doesn’t complicate stuff.

Three reasons for the viewers to watch Crackdown season 2?
First reason is me. If you loved my character in season one, you will love him in season two. He has great shades of grey as well as the nicer ones. Second reason is I don't think anybody has experienced this kind of action on an OTT. Third, it's just a very interesting plot. It will keep you hooked as it’s an extremely fast-paced show.

What next after ‘Crackdown’?
My next will be ‘Bloody Daddy’ with Shahid Kapoor. This will be followed by ‘Taali’, which is coming out with Sushmita Sen. Besides that, I have just recently done a film with Jimmy Sheirgill, called ‘Operation Mayfair’. It's coming out on Netflix tomorrow.

Before we wrap up, let me ask you this. You were one of the top most financial guys abroad, which means you must be damn good in figures. Now that you are also an actor. Have you ever thought of getting into film production?
Yes! I am actually trying to produce a film. When I came to India as an actor, I had written a script for myself. It was it was called ‘Coming Home’. But I actually given the rights and I sold it to Anil Kapoor Films. But, now, after having learnt the craft by being a part of many sets, I think I can now take the plunge.