Amol Parashar is currently experiencing a career high, marked by the simultaneous success of two contrasting OTT releases, "Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs" and "Gram Chikitsalay." This comes as a welcome surprise, given the unpredictable nature of fame in the entertainment industry. Parashar himself acknowledges the somewhat "rare" nature of this moment, recognizing that an actor trending today could easily be forgotten in a few months.
The actor's journey has been one of continuous exploration and a willingness to embrace diverse roles. He transitioned from being known primarily as Chitwan from the popular series "Tripling" to portraying vastly different characters in his recent projects. In "Kull," he embodies Abhimanyu Raisinggh, a morally ambiguous and complex character navigating a family saga filled with mystery and deception. Conversely, in "Gram Chikitsalay," Parashar plays Dr. Prabhat Sinha, an idealistic and grounded small-town doctor dealing with the challenges and charm of rural life.
Parashar emphasizes that the back-to-back release of these shows, highlighting his range, wasn't a calculated move but rather a stroke of serendipity. He filmed "Kull" in April-May of the previous year and "Gram Chikitsalay" in October-November. The close release dates amplified the contrast between the characters, making his versatility more apparent to audiences. He reflects on the psychological effort required for each role, noting that Abhimanyu, being his most morally flawed character to date, demanded significant preparation to understand his motivations. In contrast, Prabhat's inherent kindness made him a simpler character to portray.
Before his recent OTT successes, Parashar navigated the industry as an outsider, learning the ropes through experience. His first screen appearance was in "Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year" (2009), which he admits happened too early in his career when he was primarily focused on theatre. He recalls not knowing how to build on that initial opportunity, lacking the guidance that many with industry connections often receive from the start.
Despite the whirlwind of attention, Parashar remains grounded and focused on his craft. He describes his acting process as one that begins with understanding the director's vision and striving to bring that vision to life. He doesn't consider himself a method actor but rather someone who focuses on capturing the mood and essence of the character. He also returned to the stage with "Besharam Aadmi," a one-man play that he helped shape, demonstrating his continued commitment to live performance.
Parashar's journey from an IIT graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering to a sought-after actor is a testament to his passion and willingness to take risks. He traded a stable job for the uncertainty of the entertainment industry and has since built an impressive portfolio, including projects like "Sardar Udham" and "Cash," in addition to his popular web series. He embraces the opportunities that OTT platforms offer, recognizing that much of the experimentation and interesting character work is happening in that space.
He acknowledges the fleeting nature of fame, recognizing that the industry's perception of him can change rapidly. He recalls a time when he had very little money and felt ignored by the industry. This experience keeps him grounded amidst his recent success.
