7 OTT actors who owned the desi rugged look

Saqib Saleem — Rangbaaz

He was praised for embodying a rugged 90s UP criminal with authenticity - gaining weight, mastering the dialect, carrying the menace of a regional gang lord

Ali Fazal — Mirzapur

To transform into Guddu Pandit, Ali bulked up physically and adopted a grounded, menacing, gritty presence that matched the lawless Purvanchal setting

Kranti Prakash Jha — Raktanchal

He channels the bleak, violent underbelly of 1980s Purvanchal with a lanky, relentless gang leader persona, combining raw physicality with a harsh ruggedness

Pankaj Tripathi — Mirzapur

His Kaleen Bhaiya is iconic for its understated menace — a seasoned don whose calm demeanour and weathered look helped define the OTT outlaw kingpin aesthetic

Jimmy Shergill — Rangbaaz

Jimmy stepped into the Rangbaaz universe with a gritty, grounded gangster persona. He blended street-smart machismo with rustic brutality and a hardened look

Mohit Raina — Bhaukaal

Gritty uniforms, intense combat scenes, determination and an unwavering stare made Mohit`s SSP Naveen Sikhera a stark contrast to the criminality around him

Sikander Kher — Aarya

Though not a traditional gangster look, his grounded portrayal of Daulat brought an intense, hardened, loyal enforcer vibe to the show`s underworld tone