Aditya Rawal Reflects on Career Turning Point

Actor-writer Aditya Rawal has opened up about his journey in Bollywood, revealing how a difficult decision in his early 20s shaped his career. Once a promising footballer, Rawal chose acting over sports—a move he describes as emotionally challenging at the time.

Recalling his football days, he said the transition wasn’t easy, especially seeing contemporaries like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu go on to achieve national and international success. “Imagine watching someone you played alongside go on to play in Europe and captain the country while you’re starting a completely new field,” he shared.

Growing Up in a Cinema-Driven Household

Born to actors Paresh Rawal and Swaroop Sampat, Aditya grew up surrounded by cinema and theatre. He credits his upbringing for shaping his artistic sensibilities, with exposure to filmmakers ranging from Alfred Hitchcock to the Coen Brothers, as well as Indian masters like Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak.

He also cites his father’s National Award-winning film Sardar as an early influence on his understanding of storytelling.

Breakthrough with Daldal and Subedaar

Rawal is currently receiving recognition for his performances in the series Daldal and the film Subedaar, where he stars alongside Anil Kapoor. He described both projects as creatively fulfilling, albeit demanding.

“Daldal was the most difficult character I’ve played—it’s so dark and disturbing. Subedaar was just as challenging but it was the most fun I’ve had on a set,” he said.

His portrayal of Prince in Subedaar—a flamboyant antagonist—has drawn strong audience reactions. Rawal noted with amusement, “I’ve never enjoyed people telling me they hate me.”

He also revealed that the role was a subtle tribute to his father’s iconic antagonistic performances from the 1990s.

Learning from Paresh Rawal’s Journey

Reflecting on his father’s career, Rawal said the most important lesson he learned was to remain focused on the craft.

“From my father, I’ve learnt to put my head down and keep working,” he said, adding that his mother taught him to do the same “with a smile.”

He observed how his father balanced commercial work with passion projects, particularly theatre, even during phases when film roles were less fulfilling. “Seeing that made me realise it’s all about the work,” he explained.

Rawal also highlighted his father’s detachment from fame and power, noting, “The less you want, the more powerful you are.”

On Nepotism and Privilege

Addressing the nepotism debate, Aditya acknowledged the advantages of being part of a film family while emphasizing the need to earn one’s place.

“I am my father’s son, and privilege remains. This fact surely gives us access to the industry,” he said.

However, he clarified that his family never pushed him into projects. “I knew I had to put my head down and keep walking.”

He also pointed out that growing up in the industry gave him a realistic perspective. “We know everything is temporary. Most of it is noise.”

Choosing Craft Over Comparison

Despite being the son of a veteran actor, Rawal said he does not feel pressured to match his father’s legacy.

“My parents have been working for 40 years… abhi compare karke kya fayda?” he said, adding that such comparisons only make sense over a long career.

Instead, he focuses on gradual growth, choosing projects carefully and aiming for versatility. “The idea is to take things step by step… each project builds on itself.”

Balancing Acting and Writing

In addition to acting, Rawal continues to pursue writing, which he considers integral to his creative identity. He believes both disciplines complement each other.

“Being a writer makes you a better actor and vice versa,” he said.

He has contributed as a writer to projects like Dear Father and Jo Tera Hai Woh Mera Hai, and began his journey in the industry with writing work before transitioning to acting with Bamfaad in 2020.

Collaborations and Future Projects

Rawal’s collaborations with filmmakers like Hansal Mehta and Anurag Kashyap have played a significant role in his growth. He credits their encouragement as a major source of validation early in his career.

Looking ahead, he is set to appear in Hansal Mehta’s Gandhi and is also working on multiple scripts. He has expressed interest in exploring lighter genres, including comedy, to expand his range as an actor.