Content on digital front is superior than that of TV, says Tanuj Virwani

MUMBAI: It is seldom that we come across actors who are humble, grounded and accept their failures while paving the way for a better future and career. Actor Tanuj Virwani, son of yesteryear actress Rati Agnihotri, has impressed the audience with his performance as a cricketer in Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's maiden web series, Inside Edge.

The series took its viewers through the inside world of cricket against the backdrop of the Indian Premier League. Tanuj essayed the role of the star player of his team. And now that the actor gears up for his second innings with the brand, we asked him more on how he is prepping up for the role, his box-office failures, his link-up rumors and more.

Tanuj on Inside Edge 2

Inside Edge has the story moving in a very organic way. The second installment is not just a retreat of the first season. When a show or film works, we try to recapture it because we think it will keep the audience hooked. We have tried to maintain its purity.

On prepping up for the role

Half your battle is won when an actor breathes his part. Concerning fitness, I was given a brief that I need to look lean and ripped; just how sportsmen should be. We also have cricket camps so that all actors sync into the body language and get the confidence. Also, the writer will soon sit with us and take us through the characters to get the best out of each one of us.

Appreciation for his role in Inside Edge season 1

Inside Edge was one of the big web series to hit the Indian market. We did not know what to expect when we made it. Inside Edge is like looking into the mirror of how people have actually become today and the games they play which are very rampant these days.

Tanuj on his Bollywood failure and Inside Edge turning tables for him

I started off my Hindi film career in 2014 and have done three films, out of which the last one was One Night Stand with Sunny Leone. It did not put me in a precarious situation but when none of the three films worked, Inside Edge did come as a new lease in my career as my character was extremely loved. This project was needed in my career and I will never forget that it was Inside Edge that gave me the needed boost.

On directing Naash

I am directing a web series titled Naash which has four parts to it. Frankly speaking, I never wanted to become an actor. I was assisting behind the camera and the plan was to turn towards writing and direction. Acting just happened to me. Having said that, I would always want to dabble with creativity behind the camera and I have setup Naash on my YouTube channel as I believe there is a lot of scope on the digital medium. People want to watch good content. I have made a few short films before but Naash is a passion project. 

The project is about a young married couple who lose their child in an accident. I believe that in time of grief, people either shut each other down or stand united. The different ways human adapt and reciprocate to grief and guilt is fascinating. Naash will be short in a room as a viewer; one will be able to see the slow disintegration in their life as a third character.

On doing reality TV shows

I joined the BCL only for the love of cricket. I have never enjoyed watching reality shows so I really don’t find myself fitting in. I do not mean to demean TV in anyway and it is great for the people who are a part of it but this medium is not for me. I feel a lot more content on doing films or web series.

Films v/s TV v/s digital medium

I feel a lot more content doing films and web series than TV shows. I am really happy working in the digital space as we have a longer time to tell our story and not confined to duration. There is no specific beginning, middle and an end or five songs etc...The digital medium gives you an opportunity to up your storytelling and there is progression which is only possible because this medium allows. Films are all about the hero, heroine, and villain in most cases. On that note, I’d really like to add that I recently saw Raazi starring Alia Bhatt and it gave sufficient scope of performance to all the characters. But such projects are far and few.

Tanuj on TV dwindling with the advent of the digital medium

Ever since the digital space has evolved, there are a lot of players coming in the market and with the kind of content the makers are bringing, it will seal the audience soon. I have no doubt that the quality of content on the digital front is far superior than that of TV and it is just a matter of time this is seen. It is a healthy change.

Digital is like a sub-industry. Good names and big players in the industry will have to nurture it and be a part of it and we’ll see a dramatic change. In fact, I already see the change. The camera and types of equipment used for digital are the same as film and the gap is growing smaller.

What do you think of Tanuj Virwani?

Dating rumors with actress Akshara Haasan

I have been fending these dating rumors for years now. Akshara has been a friend for a long time and I am happily single.

Gratitude and parting note

I want to say a big thank you to all the people who watched Inside Edge and for the compliments. We are releasing early next year and a lot of people were disappointed that the web series is not releasing early. I just want to tell all those people that we are not here to make something for the heck of it. Filmmaking is a writer’s medium and till they are not convinced with the content, we cannot go ahead and shoot anything. I promise to the audience that the second season will be rewarding. I want to thank all the people for showering so much love.