Ever since the trailer of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next released, there have been conversations around whether a real-life transgender should have played the part essayed by actor Vijay Raaz. Sharing his thoughts about the ongoing debate, actor Sahil Khattar says it’s time for Hindi films to be realistic and ”uplift the minorities”
”If transgenders are looking for an opportunity and there is an actor, then why not give them a chance? The same goes for somebody short, fat, or bald, ” he says, adding, ”If you really want an authentic character, then why not go for these actors first? If they don’t act well, then that’s a different point. But at least consider them, If we don’t uplift the minorities in Bollywood, who else will?”
Ask him if he feels a film like Bala(2019), where the protagonist was bald, should have been offered to him and pat comes his reply: ‘Main marr gaya tha kya?’ Bala should have Sahil Khattar (instead of actor Ayushmaan Khurrana). ANd not just Bala, even other films such as Haider(2014) and Pushpa (2021; actor Fahadh Fassil played a bald character). If (actor) Shahid Kappor had to copy my look (in Haider), they should have taken him instead.” he jests and adds, I hope (filmmaker) Rohit Shetty makes a film on a bald cop. India will get it’s Rock (referring to Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson).”
Talking about the industry, Khattar, who was last seen in director Kabir Khan’s film 83, feels no actor from OTT space has got a bigger film debut than him. ” Nobody has got as big debut (as me) from digital to the movies and I’m proud of that, I think I deserve that seat at the table,” he says.
