Stree 2: Abhishek Banerjee battled depression post success of first film; 'I thought, nobody is going to...'

Abhishek Banerjee, a versatile actor, has garnered widespread acclaim for his performances, particularly as Jana in Stree and its newly released sequel, Stree 2. His portrayal of the quirky and lovable character won the hearts of many, establishing him as a talented comic actor. However, Banerjee is not just limited to comedy; he has also delivered intense performances as villains in shows and films like Paatal Lok, Apurva, and Vedaa.

After the success of Stree, Abhishek Banerjee found himself being offered similar goofy roles as Jana, which led to him feeling typecast and even experiencing depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with News 18, the Dream Girl actor revealed that he was worried that no one would see him beyond these comedic characters. However, he couldn't break free from these roles until he landed the menacing role of Hathoda Tyagi in Paatal Lok. Abhishek stated how he felt the need to prove that he can take on a wide range of roles, from drama to romance, and is determined to show his versatility as an actor.

Further, Abhishek Banerjee also opened up about the challenges he faces in convincing filmmakers that he can play different types of characters. The Apurva star said that even Anurag Kashyap was surprised by his ability to portray a wealthy Delhiite in Stolen. The actor stated that while he has always been confident in his acting abilities, it's important for him to continue pushing boundaries and not be typecast into any single type of role. The actor said that he loves watching himself on screen and doesn't want to wait for 15-20 years like Irrfan Khan to prove his versatility. The Stree 2 actor said, "Like Kareena Kapoor said, 'Main apni favourite hoon'. I'm also the same. My friends tell me, 'We don't enjoy praising you because you keep praising yourself.' I have been like this since my theatre days in college. I would perform and think, 'Waah, kya kiya hai maine!'."

Watch a video on Stree 2

Banejree concluded that he has always loved himself more as an actor than as a person. In his personal life, he started loving himself very recently.