Exclusive | Anup Soni recalls difficulty in getting work after Crime Patrol: ‘My image was very strong’

Anup Soni (Pic/Instagram)

"Savdhan rahe, satark rahe" is a line that instantly reminds us of Anup Soni, thanks to his long association with Crime Patrol. Recently seen in Shaque and The Vvaan, Soni has received recognition for his performances in both projects. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, he opens up about feeling validated as an actor, projects that went unnoticed, breaking out of his television image and why he believes no actor should look down upon the medium.

Anup Soni on feeling validated as an actor

Speaking about whether recognition makes him feel validated as an actor, Anup Soni said appreciation matters a lot. He admitted, "For any actor, I think appreciation matters a lot. There is absolute disappointment when you know you have done a good job, but it goes unnoticed."

Anup Soni on a project that went unnoticed

Speaking about a project he felt deserved more recognition, Anup Soni said he is often critical of his own performances and can easily identify shortcomings in his work. However, he believes he did a good job in the Zee5 series Saas Bahu Achaar Private Limited, which featured strong performances from the entire cast but failed to receive the attention he felt it deserved. All the actors were good, and I also felt that I had done a good job. But that series went unnoticed," he said.

Anup Soni on breaking out of his TV image

Anup Soni admitted that his long-standing association with television shows such as Balika Vadhu and Crime Patrol led to a strong on-screen image. While he continues to receive immense love for Crime Patrol, he wanted to explore different roles as an actor. He believes the way to challenge such perceptions is through patience and work that allows audiences to see him in a new light.

"I feel that the only solution is to have patience. Make people quiet with your work. I understood this when I shifted my focus back to acting. I have been anchoring for a long time, and people know me as an actor. I have received immense love for Crime Patrol, and I still get a lot of love. I really enjoy that. I always say that Crime Patrol is my baby. I own it. I have given a lot of time to that show, and that anchoring has become a big part of my life. He will always be with me. But when I wanted to work as an actor, I also received feedback that my image was very strong," he said.

Recalling how he approached roles that challenged this image, Soni recalled, "In Class of 83, I was being considered for the main role, which was eventually played by Bobby Deol." However, the director wanted him to play a minister with grey shades, an opportunity he decided to take up. "I thought I should do it. People had not seen me in that space. This was a way to tell them not to put me in a box. I then did Tandav, and things started changing after Saare Jahan Se Achha," he added.

Anup Soni on actors looking down on television

Speaking about actors who look down upon television as a medium, Anup Soni believes, "As an actor, I don't have any right to say that this medium is bad. I have a choice of not working if I am not okay. Why would I put that medium down? Why would I demean it?" he said.