Vikrant Massey: I Saw Tremendous Potential In The ‘Gaslight’ Script, Knew I Had To Do The Film

Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey is currently seen with Sara Ali Khan, Chitrangda Singh, Rahul Dev, Akshay Oberoi in the film 'Gaslight', which was released directly on Disney+ Hotstar on March 31, 2023. 

The film is a thriller and has a classic whodunit mystery at its core, and Vikrant plays Kapil, the estate manager of Ratan Singh Gaikwad. Sara plays Meesha, a paraplegic who returns to her royal estate after 15 years, and is the daughter of Ratan Singh Gaikwad. Chitrangda is seen as her stepmother Rukmini. The film, produced by Ramesh Taurani, Tips Films Ltd and Akshai Puri, 12th Street Entertainment, is directed by Pavan Kirpalani.

On the occasion of Vikrant’s 36th birthday on April 3, the actor, in an exclusive chat with Gurpreet Kaur of Outlook India, opened up how he landed the role, and his previous experience of working in thrillers. Excerpts from the interview:

‘Gaslight’ is a high-octane suspense thriller, a classic whodunnit. How did you land up the role?

It begins with Pavan Kriplani, the director of the film. Pavan and I, prior to ‘Gaslight’ wanted to work together, there is a mutual admiration for work. But we could not end up working together. So when he decided to do ‘Gaslight’, he reached out to me, and I asked him to send the script. I strictly do not take narrations, I prefer the bound script. By the time I finished the last page of it, I knew I had to do the film. It’s a classic whodunnit, and I had the fortune of being part of a few thrillers but I, up until ‘Gaslight’, was not offered something like Kapil, which is my character. I saw tremendous potential in the script, and here was an opportunity for me to collaborate with Pavan. Also, play a part which I have not done before. 

You had starred in thrillers previously, from ‘Death In The Gunj’ to ‘Haseen Dilruba’. Do you think your prior experience in the genre aided you in ‘Gaslight’?

Maybe, I never saw it that way. Well, this particular genre needs to be tended with a kid’s love. You really need to be very careful. You could completely go haywire by doing the smallest of things. I personally enjoy this space, as an audience and as an actor. If you go via data, especially on OTT, most people really enjoy watching thrillers. So, I had an opportunity to be a part of one. I hope it did help.

Before the film was released, the teaser of ‘Gaslight’ was a subtle play on how the audience seems to stereotype actors. Do you have any apprehensions as an actor before your film hits the theatres?

I think everyone has apprehensions, especially with regards to what not to do. You cannot restrict yourself either because as an actor, you want to go out there, play different parts, challenge yourself as an actor. But I think the idea is to consistently go out there and fight your own apprehensions. Everything is a work in progress, some days are great, some are not. You need to keep your chin up, and keep experimenting. The idea is to believe in yourself. 

As for stereotyping, the audience comes in much much later. It all begins within the fraternity, and it is somewhat true that the writers and the producers, who kind of bracket you. But when it comes to the teaser, I am elated that people could read between the lines, and we did not anticipate that the audience would enjoy that pun. I do four films in one calendar year, and I attempt to do a ‘Mirzapur’ at the same time as ‘Cargo’ and ‘A Death In The Gunj’ and ‘Haseen Dilruba’.