Ashwin Dhar Says Arshad Pappu Role in Dhurandhar Changed His Career Trajectory

The success of Dhurandhar and its sequel Dhurandhar 2 has already cemented its place as one of the most talked-about cinematic duologies in recent years. With both parts released and widely received, the films continue to generate conversation not just for their scale and storytelling, but also for the breakout performances within them. One such performance is that of Ashwin Dhar, who played the role of Arshad Pappu and has now spoken about how the character reshaped his career.

Ashwin Dhar’s portrayal has turned into a significant talking point in industry circles, with the actor now enjoying increased visibility and new professional opportunities. According to him, the response has gone far beyond audience appreciation, extending deeply into the film fraternity where casting interest has noticeably picked up.

Speaking about the impact of the role, Ashwin Dhar shared in detail how the character has changed things for him. He said, “The level of recognition I’ve received through the character 'Arshad Pappu' has been such that a great many people have reached out to me; they want to connect and talk. Furthermore—and quite apart from that—within the film industry itself, there are now quite a few people who are keen to work with me. Basically, what this surge of attention has done—you know, now that I’ve gained this visibility—is that I’ve entered a new league. At least for the moment, I have a couple of offers on the table where discussions are underway for me to play the main antagonist. So, it has reached that level now.”

The actor also addressed the recurring conversation around typecasting in the industry, acknowledging that certain roles can define an actor’s early trajectory. He emphasized that this is not unusual and often depends on how an actor is first perceived on screen.

He explained, “No, look—this happens to everyone. First and foremost, when an actor enters the industry—especially if they possess a distinct, particular look—people initially tend to cast them based on that specific appearance. Since people don't know them well yet, they cast them according to that visual type. This phenomenon occurs in every industry: once an actor gains a bit of popularity, they start receiving offers that are all of the same ilk—fitting that established mold. This has actually happened to me before—to some extent—even prior to this. Yes. So, offers of this specific nature have indeed started coming in—or rather, they used to come in. I’ve actually turned down quite a few of them. That’s just how it works. But when you receive recognition of this kind—the kind that Arshad Pappu is currently receiving—you reach a whole new level. At that stage, many things also come under your control. And...People will see something very different from me in the near future. They will witness something truly distinct through me. Indeed; they will find themselves wondering, "Was this really Arshad Pappu? Who was that guy?"—I have projects of that nature lined up.”

With both Dhurandhar films now behind its audience, the franchise continues to maintain strong cultural presence, driven by its ensemble cast, high-intensity storytelling, and memorable characters. Ashwin Dhar’s Arshad Pappu stands out as one of the performances that unexpectedly gained momentum, turning into a key talking point of the series’ overall success.

As the industry takes note, all eyes are now on what Ashwin chooses next, especially as he steps into a phase where more complex and prominent antagonist roles are already being discussed.

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