From Behind the Lens to the Spotlight: Anirudha Rawal Discusses His ‘Awarapan 2’ Debut
Anirudha Rawal has officially stepped into the limelight, marking his big-screen debut in the highly anticipated film Awarapan 2. As the latest member of a celebrated acting dynasty—the son of veteran powerhouse Paresh Rawal and actress Swaroop Sampath, and brother to actor Aditya Rawal—Anirudha faces high expectations. However, he is carving out his own path with a challenging and sensitive role.
In the Nitin Kakkar-directed project, Rawal portrays Sikandar, a character on the autism spectrum. Sharing the screen with industry veterans like Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani, Rawal admitted that his first foray into acting was initially “intimidating.”
“You’re walking onto a set with big actors, and you don’t want to mess with their expectations,” Rawal told Variety India. “There is a lot of pressure because you don’t want to let down your co-actors or the people who trusted you with the role.” Despite these nerves, he noted that the atmosphere on set was collaborative and welcoming, describing his co-stars as “extremely cool people to work with.”
A Shift in Perspective
Before standing in front of the camera, Rawal spent years working behind the scenes as an assistant director (A.D.) on massive blockbusters like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai. Comparing the two worlds, he highlighted the stark contrast in the daily grind.
“When you’re an A.D., you’re in the dirt, you’re sweaty; it’s a struggle every day,” he remarked. “You wake up at 5 a.m. and get home at 11 p.m. with barely any sleep.” By contrast, he noted with a laugh, “As an actor, you’re kind of pampered, you’re spoiled.” While he acknowledged that acting also has its “rough and tough” moments, he emphasized that the nature of the labor is fundamentally different.
Reflecting on how film production has evolved since his early days as an A.D., Rawal observed that set dynamics are now increasingly genre-specific. “If you’re doing a comedy, the set is a little light. If you’re doing a drama, it’s intense,” he said, noting that the logistical precision required for major action films like those in the Tiger franchise often leads to high-pressure environments. He credits the current generation of A.D.s for their growing efficiency and professionalism in managing these chaotic sets.
Box Office Success
The hard work of the entire team appears to have paid off. Awarapan 2 has already made a significant impact at the box office, reportedly crossing the ₹100 crore milestone just five days after its theatrical release.
As Rawal continues to navigate his burgeoning career, he remains grounded, learning from his past experience behind the camera while embracing the unique challenges of being an actor. With a strong debut under his belt, the industry will be watching closely to see what this talented newcomer takes on next.
