Raj Arjun on playing Feroz in Yudhra: I shaved my head, grew my beard long, and spent months understanding the character’s psychology

Remember Farookh Malik from Secret Superstar? The abusive husband and neglectful father. That intense role marked a pivotal moment in Raj Arjun’s career. Now, he hopes to recreate the same magic as Feroz, the drug mafia kingpin, in Yudhra, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi as the protagonist. Known for fully immersing himself in his roles, Raj approached Feroz with the same dedication, beginning his preparation two months before shooting. This involved diving deep into the character’s psyche, going bald, and growing a beard.Talking about the physical and mental preparation he underwent for Feroz, Raj says, “I shaved my head, grew my beard long, and spent months understanding Feroz’s psychology and body language. Portraying such an antagonist is draining, leaving you feeling empty at times, but I relish the challenge. I’m grateful to director Ravi Udyawar for choosing me for such a nuanced character. Feroz is not just a villain; he has a complex character arc, something I always look forward to. I don’t want to play a stereotypical macho man or the quintessential Hindi cinema villain.”He adds, “When I first heard about Feroz, I was taken aback by the character’s depth. It’s far removed from anything I’ve played before. I knew it would take everything I had. I began living like Feroz months before filming started, adjusting my appearance and mindset to become him. It’s a subconscious process. You begin to move, speak, and carry yourself like the character. Once the shoot wrapped, I felt hollow. You pour so much of yourself into a role that when it’s over, it leaves a void. It takes months to recover. I tend to hold on to these characters whether it is Farookh Malik, Rafique in Daddy, or Ramesh in Dear Comrade until I’m ready to let go, savouring them like pieces of my creative journey. I let them take a back seat otherwise I cherish these parts and they will always be a part of me. They are a part of my invention and innovation.”The actor admits he’s drawn to negative characters. “They are often more layered and diverse. No two villains are the same because they come from different backgrounds and have distinct motivations. That’s why I gravitate toward off-beat roles. Negative characters are creatively fulfilling; they allow me to explore the darker sides of human emotion. Every person has hidden anger or sorrow, and playing these roles lets me channel those emotions. It’s cathartic,” he concludes with a laugh.