Shrikanth Verma opens about how after being reluctant he ended up doing 'Panchayat' & 'Mirzapur'

In a recent exclusive interview with India Forums, actor Shrikanth Verma gave us insight into the thought process of being versatile, his journey through iconic projects, and his outlook on the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. His experiences reflect the importance of adaptability, opportunity, and the changing dynamics of storytelling in modern cinema and web series. He also shed light on his projects like ''Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper, ''Panchayat'', ''Jolly LLB 3'' and more.

Interviewer: So how was it working in the show 'Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper, and reflect something on your character.

Srikanth: Yes, about the character. When I was offered this role, I had never done anything like it before. This character, Tribhuvan, is very... there there's a word in Urdu, "geez," which means someone who is very corrupt, and very dirty-minded. He's someone who sees everything through the lens of money, weighing every action in terms of financial gain. Such characters are usually drawn to me, but this one was more intense. It's a bold series with bold subjects, and I was a bit hesitant at first, unsure if I should take it on. However, after discussions with the director, I realized that as an actor, it's our job to bring the story's demands to life on screen. This role was a challenge, and it is rare to find such complex characters. A versatile actor must be able to take on different roles, and this was an opportunity for me to expand my range.

Interviewer: Considering your past work, you've been part of some big names like Panchayat, Mirzapur, and Jolly LLB. Can you tell us how these projects came into your life?

Shrikanth: Panchayat was a special case. I was associated with it from the very beginning when it wasn't even a known name. Initially, I didn't want to do it. I thought, "Why should I work on something for YouTube?. I wasn't interested in web series at that time. But then something changed—perhaps it was fate. I would call it destiny because I didn't want to do Mirzapur either. That project also had bold scenes, which made me hesitant. But the casting director, Anmol, persuaded me by saying that the character was really good. So I reluctantly agreed, thinking there was nothing special about the character. It's funny how things work out—sometimes roles find you, and they end up becoming a significant part of your career. Now I'm grateful that I was part of Panchayat, which has become a huge success. It's considered the number one web series, and being associated with it from the start gives me a lot of pride.

Interviewer: Speaking of destiny, how did your role in Jolly LLB come about?

Shrikanth: That's another interesting story. I had wanted to meet Subhash Kapoor, the director, for a long time. We finally met before Jolly LLB was written. We had a great conversation, and I guess I left an impression on him. When he was writing Jolly LLB, he remembered me and thought of me for the role of Shrivastava. It was like destiny once again—being in the right place at the right time.

Interviewer: You've worked on such significant projects. What advice would you give to new actors or upcoming stars in the industry?

Shrikanth: Today's youth, the new actors entering the industry, are incredibly talented and intelligent. The pattern of acting has changed. The approach now is more realistic, and the audience has also evolved. They no longer want to see romanticized or unrealistic portrayals. They want stories that they can relate to, something that feels real. In today's generation, there's a lot of talent and potential. I believe every actor has the capability to succeed if given the right opportunity. It's not about one person being more talented than another—it's about who gets the chance to prove themselves.

Interviewer: What are your upcoming projects? Where will we see you next?

Shrikanth: I have several projects in the pipeline. There's Jolly LLB 3 and a film called Shankaran. There's also a web series called Mimers, which has been delayed for some reason, and another project titled Mukti under the Jio banner. I'm also part of a film called Durga Prasad Ki Doosri Shaadi with Sanjay Mishra and Mahima Chaudhary. Hopefully, these should be out by January.

Shrikanth Verma is all set to be back on the screens with Jolly LLB 3 and share his screen space with Akshay Kumar, Huma Qureshi and Arshad Warsi.