Anirudh Dave, who entered our living rooms with his TV outings on popular shows like Y.A.R.O. Ka Tashan, Ruk Jana Nahi, Phulwa, and more recently, Patiala Babes, is winning hearts with a performance-oriented role as a transgender, Shyam, in the popular social drama, Shakti — Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki.
Speaking about his character and the reason he said yes to the role, Anirudh says, “It was the uniqueness of the story. Shyam’s character is very different from what other serials, films might have shown about transgenders. In fact, the way the character has been styled is also different. He sports jeans, T-shirts and jackets, with pleats at the bottom, giving it an Indian touch. It’s like fusion wear.”
Calling the opportunity to play a transgender a privilege, Anirudh adds, “Transgenders have their own beautiful world with their own disciplines. They have a strong bond with each other. Like, in the introductory episode, Shyam tells Heer (Jigyasa Singh’s character), ‘Dekho, adhura mein hoon, aur adhuri tum ho. Toh hum dono milkar ek dusre ko pura kar sakte hai.’ If you don’t get acceptance in the society, you can live in your own world. I have always had a lot of respect for them.”
Over the course of his 12-year long journey on television, Anirudh has played varied roles. “I believe you get recognition through your characters, especially the way you enact them. I think today character-driven roles are a hit, even in films. Every character I have played has added to my journey in the entertainment industry,” Anirudh opines.
On the work front, Anirudh recently wrapped up the shoot for Akshay Kumar-starrer Bell Bottom. In fact, the actor has had a busy 2020 as well. He shot for his first web film, Quota, in June last year. “I was lucky to get
