Avinash Tiwary on career setbacks with shelved Farhan Akhtar collaboration: 'Was supposed to do big Excel film'

After achieving success on OTT platforms, Avinash Tiwary is determined to leave a lasting impact in Bollywood. In an open discussion, the actor said that last year, a huge chance for theatrical work—an ambitious project with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment—did not come to fruition.

Missed opportunity with Excel Entertainment

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Tiwari admits, "I was supposed to do a big Excel film, which didn’t take off last year. But theatre is going to be a larger part of my filmography. If I want to have any relevance in this country as an actor, I need to be in the theatre."

The actor, who has found success in OTT successes such as Bambai Meri Jaan, Khakee, and Kaala, has acknowledged that he is still learning how to turn his love into fame, despite the widespread praise. He says, "Sab kuch hote hote kuch bhi fatt kyun nahin raha hai (Everything seems to be falling into place, yet nothing is really taking off). I am not understanding. Most of my works have almost been loved by everyone who has seen them, but why only a few have seen them is something I have not been able to understand."

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Theatrical hits with Madgaon Express and Laila Majnu re-release

Both Madgaon Express and Laila Majnu had successful theatrical releases and had lasting impacts, as he points out. He added, "It happened in the present scenario wherein theatres, people don't know what's going to work. Thus, I need to go and build on it. I look at this phase of my career as a building phase."

While the cancellation of the Excel film was a disappointment, it also marked a significant turning point in his career. To shake off the "OTT actor" stereotype, Tiwary knew he had to adjust his approach. He explained, "The OTT actor tag only happened because there was COVID but I was looking at doing theatricals. And last year, I was doing a couple of films, which kind of didn’t take off and that’s when I realised I need to take control of things to create a distinction that I'm not just only on one platform."

OTT still matters

Nonetheless, Tiwary does not disregard the online platform. He continued by saying, "I have always looked at OTT as an opportunity to reach out to the audiences around the world. But theatre is the way to ensure that I have connectivity and relatability with the people in India."

After completing his first solo feature film since Laila Majnu, Ginny Wedss Sunny 2, Tiwary is ready to take the next step with confidence. Even though there were some bumps along the way, the actor is still committed to making theatres an integral part of his career narrative.