How talented actors can escape the typecast trap: Bhagyashree, Vivek Oberoi, Anant Mahadevan and others decode casting cliches in Indian cinema

Time of India

5 hours ago

In a film industry that thrives on formula and familiarity, typecasting is a chronic issue that plagues even the most gifted of actors. A romantic lead remains the romantic lead, the comic sidekick continues to crack jokes, and the villain lurks in every dark corner of the script—no matter how much potential lies beneath.
But as cinema evolves, so does the desire for transformation. The real question is: How can actors break free from the shackles of typecasting and reclaim creative agency?
The Burden of Familiarity
Bhagyashree
, known for her iconic debut in Maine Pyar Kiya, captures the paradox perfectly. "While everyone is told to think out of the box, sometimes when the audience likes you in a certain way, you may not be accepted if you don't give them what they want," she tells ETimes.
The industry's reliance on 'safe' casting stems from both fear and economics—producers bank on what has worked before, and audiences tend to associate actors with roles that made them household names. Yet, Bhagyashree notes that evolution is possible, referencing the diverse trajectories of actors like Rishi Kapoor and Sanjeev Kumar, and pointing to Ranveer Singh as a modern example of an actor unafraid to push boundaries.
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Indeed, Ranveer's filmography—from Band Baaja Baaraat to Padmaavat, Gully Boy, and Jayeshbhai Jordaar—demonstrates a deliberate effort to avoid stagnation. Bhagyashree herself has chosen roles in Thalaivii, Radhe Shyam, and Sajni Shinde Ka Viral Video to reinvent her image.
'I could not possibly be playing romantic leads at this age. To be part of today's cinema, reinventing yourself is a must.'
Casting Changes and Audience Imagination
When asked whether typecasting is driven more by the industry's lack of imagination or audience expectations, Bhagyashree replied, "A little bit of both.
Thankfully the casting directors have brought about significant changes... Otherwise it was a given to see a moustached police officer, plump saree clad mother."
Her anecdote about Thalaivii, having to do a padded photoshoot to convince producers she could portray Kangana Ranaut's mother, reflects the depth of disbelief many actors face when attempting something unfamiliar.
The Power of Deliberate Choice
Vivek Oberoi
has navigated the typecast trap through range and risk-taking: 'The key to escaping the typecast trap lies in making deliberate choices, embracing roles that challenge and surprise you.'
From the soft-hearted Saathiya hero to the intense gangster in Company, the satirical Masti character, and the malevolent Kaal in Krrish 3, Vivek's filmography is an embodiment of evolution. He believes today's audience is more open-minded than ever before.
'They view cinema as a dynamic, layered art form... and if your craft is sincere, today's audience welcomes every avatar with open arms.'
Breaking the 'Supporting Actor' Mold
Veteran actor and director
Anant Mahadevan
shares a more cautious optimism.
'It even took a veteran like the late Pran more than a decade to break the mould of a villain and explore sympathetic roles.'
Mahadevan's career took a turn after Khiladi, where his role as a killer risked locking him into villainous portrayals. But his decision to take on diverse parts—including a chilling child abuser in Yes Papa—helped reframe his screen image.
'Theatre has been a great mode of breaking away from this routine...
one gets to perform everything from classic characters to deadpan humor.'
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Institutional Fear and the Internet Age
Sohaila Kapur bluntly identifies the problem: 'There is a matrix and everybody sticks to it. The reason is fear of failure.'
She blames production houses for playing it too safe, relying on outdated assumptions about audience preferences despite generational shifts and internet exposure. Her frustration points to a larger structural rigidity within the industry that resists innovation even when demanded.
The Digital Lifeline—Or Is It?
Bhagyashree sees promise in OTT platforms, citing how casting agencies are reshaping representation. Still, she waits for her own breakthrough moment.
Rahul Bhat
adds another layer to the conversation: 'Most people don't do the research to see an actor's full range and only remember the popular work, leading to the same roles being offered again and again.'
Bhat's proposed solution includes refusing repetitive work, collaborating with bold storytellers, and creating original content—a roadmap followed by many indie and OTT actors trying to reset their brand.
Self-Initiative and Image Management
Rajesh Tailang
sees typecasting as a result of inertia—both internal and external: 'If I want casting directors and filmmakers to see me differently, I have to change something in myself first.'
T
hat could mean physical transformation, workshops, or choosing short films and web shows that serve as calling cards. Tailang's own move from quiet character parts to layered roles in shows like Delhi Crime signals a deliberate shift.
Social Media as a Tool of Reinvention
For
Payal Rohatgi
, the escape lies in harnessing visibility through platforms like Instagram.
'I started making videos pertaining my house or my interaction with my husband... So that the visibility factor is maintained, the connection factor is maintained.'
Her strategy of sharing candid, non-glamorous aspects of life helps challenge the industry's superficial notions of branding. Her global outreach—via her wrestler husband's international matches—also echoes her larger vision: 'Life is all about looking for opportunities and being positive, not playing a victim.'
The Cynical Reality
Of course, not every actor sees a way out.
Shenaz Treasury
puts it bluntly: 'There's no escape. Just be happy you're getting cast. I'm typecast as an influencer now.'
Her dry humor underscores a resignation that still lingers among many who feel boxed in by their past work.
From Trap to Transformation
Escaping the typecast trap isn't easy. It demands courage, calculated choices, reinvention, and sometimes, rejection of lucrative roles. But as Bhagyashree, Vivek Oberoi, Anant Mahadevan, and others show us, the trap can be dismantled—not all at once, but piece by piece. Whether through theatre, indie films, social media, or the sheer force of performance, actors today are finding ways to surprise the world—and more importantly, themselves.
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