Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 11: Actor Abhishek Banerjee, who is winning hearts with his gripping performance in the survival thriller Stolen, has candidly spoken about his journey from his early days in Delhi theatre to becoming one of Indian cinema's most respected actors.

Directed by Karan Tejpal, Stolen has earned widespread acclaim, with Banerjee's portrayal being lauded as one of his finest to date. Despite his remarkable evolution, fans continue to revisit his brief role in the 2006 cult film Rang De Basanti, a film that marked his first screen appearance.

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Banerjee shared how the constant reference to that film feels both flattering and a bit melodramatic. “Rang De Basanti was just college fun. It wasn't a struggle. We were called in by a senior who was working on the film. Shubham, who played Raman in Stolen, was also part of it. We were just having fun,” he said.

While he acknowledges the uphill nature of building a career in Mumbai, Banerjee emphasized that his journey was steady and organic. “It went from point A to point B to point C. I’ve never felt undervalued as an actor. I always wanted financial security, and that takes time and effort,” he added.

Touching upon broader industry debates, Banerjee said the struggle isn’t always about Bollywood alone. “The real difference is class and socio-economic background. That’s where the conversation starts, not just nepotism. The fear of not making it kills many young dreams. They need to relax.”

Now celebrated for his range and depth as a performer, Abhishek Banerjee stands as an example of perseverance and perspective, reminding the youth that the journey to success is more meaningful than the starting point.