Raghav Juyal’s experience in movies spans over a decade, but it is only the last two years that have marked his rise to prominence, thanks to his breakout performance in Kill (2023), his vulnerable and sensitive cop act in Gyaarah Gyaarah (2024), and later, a negative turn in Yudhra (2024). With The B***ds of Bollywood, the excitement around him has only grown bigger. Days before the show’s première, the actor opened up to mid-day about the frustration he battled while waiting for his work to be released.
“On television, I was a king. I had a house, a car, and I was famous. In some ways, I was a star. But in movies, it was like the struggle of a new job had begun. When I left TV, I knew that I had to be patient to work in films because sometimes it takes years for a film to get made. And then it takes time for the release. I had shot for many projects — Yudhra, Kill, The Ba***ds of Bollywood — but they were not releasing. I kept giving auditions, but there was a time when I was a little frustrated, thinking what would happen,” he said.
(L to R) Lakshya and Raghav Juyal ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’. Pics/AFP, Instagram
The Ba***ds of Bollywood, which marks superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, features Juyal in a prominent role. Much of the primary cast, including Lakshya, Anya Singh, and Sahher Bambba, is young and relatively new to the industry. Working with new energy is naturally comforting for young actors because it makes it easier for them to dissent. But what happens when they know he is a superstar’s son and it is his home production? Did Juyal ever hesitate in disagreeing with Aryan?
“No. I don’t think Aryan ever gave us such a vibe. He has a habit of asking questions. He would ask our point of view. In my opinion, that’s the best way of working because filmmaking is a collaborative process. He has learnt this at home. He has the same etiquette of respecting other artistes that Shah Rukh sir displays. He knows that [everyone] comes with their struggles and experiences,” the actor explained.
Juyal praised Aryan’s vision to make the show both critical about the industry and mass-appealing. Having an extended family outside of Bollywood, Aryan understood the Indian audience, which exists beyond metropolitan cities, the actor said.
“There’s a very homely environment within his family. His diction of Hindi and Urdu is clear. He speaks in English only when needed. That’s why he was able to make a very rooted show with a self-critical lens. We as actors have made a fool of ourselves and poked fun at our own profession. The satire and criticism that Aryan has shown is beautiful. He is the son of the biggest outsider in the industry. He doesn’t have the vibe of a nepo kid. He has made a show for the whole of India, not for the Bandra or South Bombay crowd. Bina khaaye, bina soye, bas kaam karne ka keeda ghar se mila hai,” he said.
