Rakesh Bedi on being finalised for 'Dhurandhar' 2-3 years before the script was ready: 'Aditya Dhar said I was the first actor to be locked'

Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi sat down to talk about his illustrious journey in acting, shedding light on his craft, his process of building characters and his much-loved role of Jameel Jamali in 'Dhurandhar' and 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge'. On his career and how he has grown as an actor over time, Bedi offered a refreshingly grounded perspective, saying he has never been driven by the desire to reach the top. For him, the real joy has always lain in embracing and savouring every step of the journey.Talking to ANI, Bedi said, "I believe that this is a journey and we should enjoy the journey. I have never thought that I would reach the peak or that I have to reach the peak. I feel that this journey is going very well". The actor added that his priority has always been commitment to work rather than chasing success or outcomes. "I do my work well, I do my work with full commitment. And sometimes I get good results and sometimes I don't get good results. So what can I do?", he said.The actor disclosed that director Aditya Dhar had already made up his mind about casting him in the film years before the project had even taken a concrete shape. "I believe, and Aditya Dhar ne kaha bhi hai ki Dhurandhar mein cast hone vaala mai pehla aadmi tha (Aditya Dhar has said this too, that I was the first person to get cast in Dhurandhar). They had cast me 3-4 years ago when they had made 'Uri'. At that time, they didn't have a script. But they had an idea, and according to that idea, they had thought of me for a role in that film," he shared. Being handpicked at such an early stage, even before a single word of the script was written, was something Bedi held close to his heart. He called it a "big compliment" and felt it stood as proof of the respect and recognition his years of dedicated work in the industry had earned him.'Dhurandhar' is directed by Aditya Dhar and produced under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast bringing together the talents of Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun. Adding to the excitement, the film's music composed by Shashwat Sachdev has already struck a chord with audiences.The actor also gave a fascinating glimpse into how he approaches his craft. Bedi revealed that real life serves as his biggest source of inspiration when shaping a character, and he then adds his own personal touch to bring it alive on screen. "I always try to pick up the character from real life. Then I put my salt and pepper on the screen," he said while recalling his performances in projects like 'Tirangaa' and 'Dhurandhar'.Bedi also shed light on how he goes beyond what is written on the page to bring something extra and unexpected to every role he plays. The actor shared that he is always looking to add new dimensions to a character, ones that even the writer or director may not have envisioned when the script was being crafted. "My work is that I try to put the character that the director or writer could not put. Writing is always in closed rooms. But shooting is open. So when we shoot there, the atmosphere changes," he said.When talking about the incredible response his character Jameel Jamali has received, Bedi attributed it to the meticulous detailing and the combined effort that went into crafting the performance. "No one will be able to forget Jameel Jamali. People are watching it again and again. Someone has watched it twice, someone six times, people have watched it 8-10 times," he said. The seasoned actor also took a moment to tip his hat to director Aditya Dhar and the entire creative team behind 'Dhurandhar' for building such a rich and compelling world for the characters to inhabit. Delving deeper into his acting philosophy, Bedi revealed that he has always made a conscious effort to disappear into his roles rather than letting his own personality overshadow the character. "In all the roles I have played, I have tried not to show you, Rakesh Bedi. You should see that character," he said.Beyond films and television, Bedi also opened up about his enduring love for theatre, revealing that the stage has remained a constant and cherished part of his life even after five decades in the business. "I do theatre constantly. I can say with confidence that there are only 2-4 actors like me in Mumbai who have stepped on the stage at least once every month for 50 years," he said. The actor went on to explain that his continued association with theatre keeps his creative instincts sharp and his reflexes as a performer finely tuned. For Bedi, the stage is not just a passion but a lifelong teacher. "When you keep working, you keep growing. That experience keeps seeping into you. It comes out in some form or the other," he added.On the box office front, 'Dhurandhar 2' continues to ride high on success in India. The much-awaited sequel brings together an impressive ensemble cast led by Ranveer Singh, alongside Sara Arjun, Gaurav Gera, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi and Arjun Rampal. The film has been produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios.