Actor Vishal Jethwa, known for his role as Akbar in the serial Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap, gained widespread recognition after starring as the main antagonist in Mardaani 2 alongside Rani Mukerji. The actor, who attended Cannes 2025 for the premiere of his upcoming film Homebound with Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, recently shared that he feels like a 'misfit' in Bollywood.
Speaking to Hollywood Reporter India, Vishal shared that people often assume his acting journey began in 2019 with Mardaani 2. In reality, he started his career as a background dancer, then worked in television for 10 years before Bollywood recognised him through his debut in Mardaani 2.
The 30-year-old actor added, "Yeh world mere liye bohot naya hai. Mujhe lagta hai ki mein Bollywood se belong nahi karta, apart from being an actor. Agar mein apni acting line ko chhod doon, uske alawa mere value systems, mere rehne ka tareeka — I feel I am really a misfit. Meri journey bohot ups and downs ke saath aayi hai, kyunki mere paas koi privilege nahi hai. When I did Mardaani 2, uske baad COVID lockdown hua, aur mujhe bohot samay tak ghar pe baithna pada. I could not choose anything."
Further, Vishal shared that he is proud of how far he has come without any support. He expressed his desire to represent everyone who auditions with the hope of making it in the acting world. Addressing those who feel they aren't well-groomed enough to succeed, he said he wants to be an inspiration for people who believe that not speaking fluent English, not wearing great clothes, or not having a strong bank balance can hold them back. "Aap zarur kar paayenge!" he added.
About Homebound
Homebound premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday. At its screening during the 78th edition of the festival in the French Riviera, the film received a 9-minute-long standing ovation.
The emotional moment brought Janhvi, Ishaan, Vishal, Neeraj Ghaywan, and producer Karan Johar to tears as they absorbed the overwhelming response.
