Hathi Ram is Hungry

Jaideep Ahlawat is truly a rare find.

There aren’t many actors who can command a scene with quiet intensity quite like him. And the best part is that he’s only getting better with every role that he takes up. If you’ve watched the second season of Paatal Lok, you’d know what I’m talking about. As Inspector Hathi Ram, he’s delivered a performance so visceral and affecting, it is already being hailed as an award-season frontrunner.

Up next for the actor is the third season of The Family Man, Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins on Netflix, Rakht Brahmand with directors Raj & DK and a host of other projects. It’s going to be a busy 2025 for Ahlawat and—safe to say— he’s only getting started.

Esquire India: Hathi Ram Chaudhary is an iconic character. How did you approach his evolution in Season 2?

Jaideep Ahlawat: It was all in the bound script. We already knew what Hathi Ram is. When I was building him for Season 2, he was navigating new terrains and challenges, and he had limited power invested in him. So, it was fun to prepare him for all the mental and physical obstacles he had to go through.

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ESQ: What’s the best compliment you have received for your performance?

JA: My work has been well received and appreciated by my colleagues. It was lovely to get so many unique messages. I’m aware of all the comparisons that are being made to the late Irrfan Khan. It's a huge compliment if people feel I'm taking his legacy forward.

ESQ: From Three of Us (2023) and Jaane Jaan (2024) to The Broken News and Paatal Lok, what draws you to roles that challenge traditional hero narratives?

JA: It has always been my constant endeavour to challenge myself with roles that will be difficult for me to handle—from physical transformation to makeup to mental challenges. I have always wanted to push myself into an uncomfortable zone.

ESQ: Do you have a favourite character?

JA: I don't have a favourite character, but I felt deeply for Hathi Ram and Pradip Kamat in Three of Us.

ESQ: Your journey in the film industry hasn’t been conventional. What would you say have been the turning points that defined your career?

JA: The first turning point was Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), followed by Raazi (2018) and then, Paatal Lok Season 2.

ESQ: What’s your process when it comes to choosing projects?

JA: It always starts with my instinct as an actor. You believe in the story, in the character, and you love it for all its positive and negative traits. Then, of course, you look at the team and the people working on the project. But it really starts at the script level.

ESQ: How do you balance artistic satisfaction with commercial success?

JA: It happens organically when your hunger as an actor gets channelled into extraordinary stories, and then they become successful films or series. You just have to be lucky to be part of a project like that.

ESQ: With whom do you share your personal joys and milestones?

JA: Well, of course, family and friends. Because they have seen me before this success and stardom, it always feels great sharing my joys with them. They are also my biggest support system. This is a challenging and hectic profession, and by the time you become successful, you have grown a lot as an individual. Only people close to you can recognise that. My family, my mother, and my wife are my biggest support system. They have been on this journey with me.

ESQ: How would you define your off-screen style?

JA: I’m very happy in comfortable clothes. I don't really style myself when I'm not working. I don’t take care of my skin; I'm very bad at it.

ESQ: What are the things that you enjoy doing besides acting and watching films?

JA: I love to watch football and read poetry, especially Hindi poetry. But other than that, I love driving, though it's very difficult to drive in Mumbai. But I love long drives. I have driven from Mumbai to Delhi four times. I have driven to Bhopal and Pune many times, as well.

ESQ: If you had to play one dream role—any genre, any era—what would it be and why?

JA: I’ll be able to answer this question much better after 15 or 20 years. For now, I’m at a really hungry stage in my career.