Actor Saurabh Sachdeva, known for his performances in Animal and Jaane Jaan, has spoken about why he believes taking risks is important for cinema. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, the actor shared his thoughts on why filmmakers should avoid sticking to safe formulas.
Sachdeva said that not knowing what will work is actually a good thing for creativity. He explained that when there is uncertainty, people become more curious and push themselves to make better projects. His comments come at a time when many in the film industry are trying to figure out what audiences want.
The Problem with Playing Safe
Sachdeva made it clear that playing safe does not help anyone in the long run. He said that if filmmakers start playing safe, they will get bored and end up making bad films. According to him, this was already happening in the industry.
The actor pointed out that no one knows which film will work and which will not. Instead of sticking to old formulas that are not working, filmmakers should try something new. He believes that uncertainty pushes people to experiment and create better work.
Business and Creativity Must Go Together
While Sachdeva supports taking creative risks, he also understands the business side of filmmaking. He said that business and creativity have to go together. A producer’s investment decides the scale and resources available for a film.
However, he warned against judging films only by their box office numbers. He said that numbers alone cannot decide if a film is good or bad. When people only run after numbers, they start selling anything and misleading others.
Recent Projects and Career Growth
Sachdeva has been busy with multiple projects across different film industries. He recently appeared in Satluj and made his Punjabi film debut with Ishqnama. The Punjabi film stars Shehnaaz Gill and Jayy Randhawa.
Speaking about Ishqnama, Sachdeva said he connected with the story right away. He also praised his co-star Shehnaaz Gill, saying their scenes together are powerful and will surprise audiences.
The actor also joined the cast of Dev Patel’s international film The Peasant. The film is a revenge-action thriller set in the 14th century. Produced by A24, this is the studio’s first film production in India. The movie recently completed shooting across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
The Animal Breakthrough
Sachdeva gained wide recognition for his role as Abid Haque in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. Interestingly, he almost turned down the role. He was unsure about the character and the film’s overall tone.
After his first meeting, he requested a second narration with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The director showed him select sequences from the film, including an emotionally charged scene with Triptii Dimri and Ranbir Kapoor. This convinced Sachdeva to come on board.
Even during the shoot, he remained unsure about his character’s journey. His first scene was the film’s climactic runway sequence where he had no dialogue. Despite the confusion, he trusted the director’s vision. When the film released, it became a career highlight for him.
Playing Complex Characters
Sachdeva has played a range of challenging characters. In Dhadak 2, he played Shankar, a casteist serial killer. The film, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, dealt with the issue of casteism in a mainstream commercial film.
For his role, Sachdeva studied sociopaths and psychopaths. He developed a backstory for his character and made a conscious choice to keep the performance understated. He said he wanted Shankar to come across as an ordinary man rather than a scary villain.
The director narrated the character to him, and it moved him so much that he had tears in his eyes. He deliberately did not watch the original Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal to avoid being influenced.
Working Across Industries
Sachdeva has worked in multiple film industries, including Telugu cinema with Pushpa 2: The Rule. In the film, he played a gangster called Hameed. He said his character shifts the plot in the story.
He also shared that he and Allu Arjun chatted about Animal during the shooting of Pushpa 2. The experience of working in a different industry allowed him to reach out to a new set of audiences.
Acting Coach and Mentor
Apart from acting, Sachdeva has been an acting coach for 20 years. He has mentored several actors across the industry. His students include actors like Triptii Dimri.
In previous interviews, he has spoken about his students’ career choices. He said that Triptii Dimri’s choices after Animal did not work well, but he praised her as a wonderful actor who works hard.
Filmography Highlights
Sachdeva’s notable filmography includes Manmarziyaan (2018), Laal Kaptaan (2019), Housefull 4 (2019), Vadh (2022), and Animal (2023). He has also appeared in Haddi (2023), Kaala (2023), Bambai Meri Jaan (2023), and Jaane Jaan (2023). His recent projects include Maalik (2025), Eko (2025), and Dhadak 2.
He made his acting debut in 2017 with the film Maroon, playing the role of an inspector. He has also worked in web shows like Sacred Games.
The Importance of Experimentation
Sachdeva’s message is clear: filmmakers should not be afraid to experiment. He believes that uncertainty is the mother of creativity. When people do not know what will work, they try harder and create something new.
His own career shows the value of taking risks. From almost turning down Animal to working across different film industries, he has consistently chosen challenging roles. He has played a range of characters, from a gangster in Pushpa 2 to a serial killer in Dhadak 2.
The actor’s views come at a time when the film industry is facing many changes. With the rise of streaming platforms and changing audience preferences, filmmakers are trying to figure out what works. Sachdeva’s advice is simple: stop playing safe and start experimenting.
He also reminds everyone that numbers are not everything. A film should be judged on its own merit, not just by its box office collection. When people only focus on numbers, they end up making bad films.
Sachdeva continues to work on exciting projects across different industries. With Ishqnama, The Peasant, and other films in the pipeline, he is showing that taking risks can lead to a rewarding career.
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