Exclusive! Rajesh Tailang: OTT has given me the opportunity to work; explore good content

You and I, him and they... all of us have seen him in Bollywood movies but Rajesh Tailang feels constant work and recognition has come after a long wait. "The movies that were not given a chance to exhibit are now coming on OTT, mine included," he told us in an exclusive video chat that is yet to be released. During the free-flowing conversation, the actor spoke about his interactions with real cops to imbibe their mannerisms, and how living in New Delhi helped him prepare for his top-cop role in Delhi Crime Season 2. 

Excerpts from our conversation with the actor:

So this time, we see you talking about the whole Delhi Police and Twitter banters, and felt like a real-time conversation between cops. Did you spend time with them again, how did you prepare to take the role further this time around?

During season one, I had spent time with the cops that my character Bhupender was majorly based on. The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Delhi Police at the time (referring to the Nirbhaya case that the first season was based on) was someone I had spent time with. Other than that, I have been interacting with the Delhi Police because of some work in the past which was about crime. On top of that, I have lived in Delhi and so, naturally, I am accustomed to Delhi's accent and naunces and its flavours. That makes it easier, rest is all on the work that you put in as an actor. 

You are now a globally recoginised actor, thanks to your amazing performance in Delhi Crime and also the boom of OTT platforms. So, do you think that it has also opened new doors for actors like you?

Definietly! For me, yes, definitely! And for a lot of other actors, too. Not only have these actors gotten an opportunity to work, but also explore good content and do quality projects. I think it is because of the format of the streaming services. And not just shows, even films which otherwise do not get released are now finding a space for themselves in OTT platforms. The films that never get the opportunity to exhibit their work, are now being released on OTTs. These are movies that even I have worked in. So, for me, OTT toh bohot accha hain. 

We all know about the multiple boycott calls on several projects so far. If OTT is ever subjected to something similar, what would that mean for you as creative people?

I think that if the content is good, then it is going to work. Whether people ask you to watch someting or not watch it, if the content is good then people are going to watch it. Inn sab cheezo se koi farak padta hain. But, yes, in this whole tussle between 'boycotting something' or 'not boyvotting something', there shouldn't be any violence involved. If it's verbal, I am okay. If it involves violence, then it's not. Aiese poster fadh de toh galat hain.