New Delhi:

Slow and steady wins the race, the saying particularly holds true for Jaideep Ahlawat. The FTII (Film & Television Institute of India) graduate has had a tumultuous ride to the top, but one imbued with learnings, rejections, and the eternal wait for that one moment.

Ahlawat had a cameo role in the 2008 film Narmeen, before marking his debut in the 2010 movie Khatta Meetha. Since then it has been a labyrinth of roles in commercial cinema such as Commando: A One Man Army (2013), Gabbar Is Back (2015), and Vishwaroopam II (2018).

His claim to fame came with his impressive performance in Raazi (2018), and then finally the moment to shine with the cop drama series Paatal Lok in 2020. As Ahlawat himself agrees to.

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, the Jewel Thief star trudges down the memory lane a bit to unearth where he was, and where he has reached today. He gets candid about lessons learnt and how it feels to be chiming to the tunes of, “It’s Jaideep Ahlawat’s world, and we are just living in it.”

Precisely where the conversation begins:

“I Try Not To Take The Praise Or Pressure Too Seriously”

There are always one or two actors in every generation, who you can only grow to appreciate and applaud. Jaideep Ahlawat is one of those actors who has steadfastly climbed up that ladder with every role.

Be it an Intelligence Agent in Raazi, a cop in Paatal Lok, or a Math teacher in Jaane Jaan, versatility has always peaked in his filmography. With a success rate like that, it is easy to get swayed by the adulation.

Jaideep Ahlawat expresses deep gratitude but stays rooted in humbleness as he reacts to it.

He says, “It still feels surreal to hear people say such nice things. Sab janta ka pyaar, sammaan hai and I am grateful for the same. But I try not to take the praise or the pressure too seriously. What keeps me grounded is the work. There’s always a new scene to prepare, a new character to understand, and that constant chase keeps your feet on the ground.”

Jaideep Ahlawat On The Tough Road To Success: “The Waiting Taught Me Everything”

For any struggling actor, what seems like a perpetual feeling of hopelessness is the waiting. The waiting to be discovered, to be witnessed, to be able to do the work and hone the craft, that the talent set out to.

Most often actors who reach the pinnacle of success, often want to give an advice to their younger selves. Jaideep Ahlawat is no different.

X/FTII

The actor chuckles, as he adds, “If I could speak to my younger self at FTII, I’d probably say, ‘Bhai, relax kar thoda. Don’t overthink.’ That phase, with all its uncertainty and chaos, shaped me. I don’t think I would change a thing, even the rejections, and the waiting, they all taught me something. Dekho, safalta ka mazaa sangharsh ke baad hi aata hai.”

And indeed, the waiting bore fruit.

Jaideep Ahlawat On What Will Make The Audience See Yet Another Side Of Him In Jewel Thief

If his smooth dance moves in Jaadu from Jewel Thief was not enough to get the internet swooning to the chants of “It’s Jaideep Ahlawat’s world, and we are just living in it”, then Ahlawat dissects his character as a Mafia boss further. 

Not only does he talk about the exciting layers in his character as an actor, but he offers the opposite perspective on what’s in for the viewer. That’s always a good place to be in, to judge the kind of scripts one is falling for.

Jaideep says, “There’s flair, flamboyance, and a bit of mischief. It’s stylised but also has layers. As a viewer, I think what excited me most is how unpredictable he is. I’ve played intense, grounded characters before but this guy walks into a room and owns it with his vibe. That was fun to explore.”

Ahlawat has often been asked about his natural pull towards intense characters, while the stereotype can get a little bothersome, he flips the coin right when the audience asks for it.

“Maybe One Day Someone Will Write A Mad, Bizarre Comedy And Think Of Me”

Speaking of switching genres, how does a world where Jaideep Ahlawat tickles our funny bones, sound?

It sounds fantastic to the actor who lights up when asked about comedy films, and picturing him in it. He agrees with the belief that it is one of the toughest genres out there to crack, but a challenge is always welcome.

The actor responds, “You’re absolutely right, comedy is tough. But yes, I would love to do it. I mean it’s a genre I have always admired. Maybe one day someone will write a mad, bizarre comedy and think of me. Fingers crossed!”

Do Back-to-Back Successes Make Jaideep Ahlawat Feel The Pressure Of It All?

Pressure is something that never goes away from the chaotic lives of actors. Success brings in as much pressure as failures, but that is also what keeps one going.

While the critics churn out words and social media is abuzz with opinions on what’s worth watching or not, Jaideep Ahlawat follows a rather calming technique to cut out the noise and have his eyes on the prize.

“I see it as excitement and not fear. Because I’ll tell you, the moment I start thinking about expectations more than the role in hand, I will lose the essence,” Ahlawat adds.

He elaborates, “The pressure is always there. So I remind myself, to just be honest with the character. The rest is noise.”

“Paatal Lok Changed A Lot For Me And How People Saw Me As An Actor”

Not only for Jaideep Ahlawat but for his audience, it will always be Hathi Ram Chaudhary from Paatal Lok which showcased the actor and his craft in all his glory.

Ever grateful for the same, the actor says, “I love all my characters dearly but if I had to pick one project it would be Paatal Lok, Hathi Ram changed a lot for me and how people saw me as an actor.”

As disillusioned yet fiercely determined his character was in Paatal Lok, it established Jaideep Ahlawat as the actor who can mould himself to any onscreen avatar, with finesse.

All eyes are now on Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins, where the audience will yet again witness Jaideep Ahlawat’s Jaadu Sa Hunar.