In the dazzling world of Bollywood, where stardom and celebrity often dominate headlines, it’s easy to overlook the consistent, nuanced, and sometimes transformative work of supporting actors. Yet, scratch beneath the surface of any memorable film, and you’ll find a character actor who anchored the story with authenticity, grace, and gravitas. These actors, often relegated to the background of red carpets and marquee posters, are the beating heart of storytelling. Their roles are not just supplementary—they are essential.
Veteran actor Deepraj Rana, a stalwart of Hindi cinema and television since the late 1980s, puts it best: “I’ve kept getting roles—not because of a ‘breakthrough’ moment but because people felt I could do justice to a character.” His journey, marked by powerful performances in films like Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster, Aarakshan, and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, is not defined by stardom but by substance. He doesn’t boast of a single defining moment; rather, his career is a testament to the enduring power of persistence and craft.
“From Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster to Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, work kept coming. Maybe people think I should’ve gone further, but I’ve lived my life, I’ve worked continuously, and I’m content,” Rana told ETimes.
Supporting roles leave a lasting impression
The misconception that only lead actors drive a film is slowly, but steadily, being dismantled. Deepraj Rana recalls a one-scene role opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Aarakshan that left an impact. He also played the iconic freedom fighter Tatya Tope in Mangal Pandey, where a single performance carried historical and emotional weight.
He shared a special memory from Sitaare Zameen Par: “I had worked with Aamir Khan 20 years ago in Mangal Pandey. On the first day of shoot for Sitaare Zameen Par, he remembered me. That’s what stays with you—when people remember your work.”
Durgesh, another seasoned actor, has performed in over 45 supporting roles, including the widely appreciated Bhushan Sharma aka Banrakas in Panchayat. Yet, his journey remains an uphill battle. “We do this out of love, but if production houses and the industry don't appreciate us or offer us work, how are we supposed to grow?” he asks, encapsulating the frustration of countless actors whose talent goes unrecognized.
"When I came to Bombay, I had a significant role in Highway directed by Imtiaz Ali. The public appreciated it—I used to get noticed on the streets. But despite the praise, the industry never really offered me work,” he shared with us.
Despite more than two decades in the industry and rigorous training through institutions like NSD and Repertory theatre, Durgesh admits that recognition is rare: “In 25 years, only four people have taken my name or appreciated my work—Pankaj Tripathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Adah Sharma, and Jeetu Bhaiyya (Jeetendra Kumar).”
Chandan K Anand, who has made a lasting impression with his performances in movies like The Body, Gunjan Saxena and Fighter, added, “Cinema is changing. Look at the web space, or films like Laapataa Ladies — every character has a story, every character contributes. Ravi Kishan’s character was a hero. The girls were heroes. We’re finally understanding that it’s not just about one man carrying a film on his shoulders.”
The quiet revolution of ensemble storytellingIn recent years, films like Laapataa Ladies and shows like Mirzapur and Panchayat have shifted the cinematic landscape. These projects are ensemble-driven, where every character has an arc and every role carries weight. Deepraj Rana points to Sitaare Zameen Par, where the lead is a neurodivergent child, as an example of this evolution. “Aamir plays a pivotal role, but the story belongs to the boy,” he says.
When asked how does he view the evolution of roles over the decades? Rana reflected, “Roles depend on the script. Where your character enters the story, what’s happening at that moment—it all matters. I’ve been lucky to get roles where I could stand strong, even opposite stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, or Ajay Devgn. Those scenes had weight.”
Actor Chandan K Anand echoes the same sentiment: “We didn’t even think of roles as ‘supporting’ or ‘lead’. We just wanted to act.” Coming from a theatre background, Anand likens supporting roles to the “masalas” in a pulao—the spices that make the dish flavorful. “You see Paresh Rawal, Amrish Puri, Vijay Raaz... You know you’re in for something special,” he told ETimes.
When asked if the industry has changed in its approach toward supporting actors, Durgesh was blunt: “No. Nothing has changed. If your role stands out, 10 people will praise you. If it doesn’t, no one notices. That’s the reality.”
He shared that only a few directors like Asit Kumarr Modi (Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah), Pulkit (with whom he worked on Do Bigha Zameen and The Great Indian Protector), and Deepak Kumar Mishra (TVF) have consistently given him opportunities. “Because of Deepak and writer Chandan Kumar, my career found some direction. Otherwise, it’s been a thankless journey.”
The craft beyond the credit
The brilliance of supporting actors lies in their ability to breathe life into fleeting moments. A single line, a glance, or a monologue can turn into a career-defining moment. When Sooraj Barjatya cast Deepraj in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo after seeing his work in Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster, it was a quiet nod to the idea that work speaks louder than fame.
Chandan K Anand puts it poignantly: “If there’s no salt in a pulao, no one will eat it—no matter how much ghee you put in. That’s the importance of these so-called supporting roles.”
Durgesh spoke highly of fellow actors who rose through the ranks, including Pankaj Tripathi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. “Pankaj sir is like a grandfather figure. I’ve seen him rise from theatre to films. Nawazuddin’s journey from small roles to lead actor is commendable. But personally, I’ve never had the chance to lead. I’ve been boxed into supporting roles.”
Durgesh emphasized the significance of character roles: “Even if a character has just one line in a play, it’s equally important as the lead. But that’s not how films work. The audience only sees the hero and heroine. That’s the harsh truth.”
Changing audience sensibilitiesToday’s viewer is evolving. They’re not just looking for glam and glitter but for storytelling that reflects reality. Characters like Pankaj Tripathi’s in Gangs of Wasseypur or Vijay Raaz’s in Chandu Champion resonate because they’re rooted in truth. Audiences now crave performances that feel lived-in, not manufactured.
So what has changed in the industry?
Chandan states, “Earlier, producers believed only ‘big stars’ could sell a movie. But now, even they are seeing that the economics don’t add up. You can spend crores on a hero, or you can make 10 beautiful films with 10 solid actors. And audiences are ready for this shift.”
He added that directors like Anurag Kashyap and Ram Gopal Varma have already paved the way by casting actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Vineet Kumar Singh — talents who weren't conventional stars but became household names through powerful performances.
As he rightly puts it: “The script should be the hero. If your story is strong, your characters — no matter how big or small — will shine. Cinema is no longer about glamour alone. Today’s audience wants stories rooted in reality — stories that speak to their lives. Whether it's a 12th-grade student, a maid, or a truck driver — everyone has a story, and every story deserves to be told.”
Toward a future of equal footingCinema, like life, is not led by one hero alone. It’s a collection of voices, journeys, and faces. The quiet coach, the overworked maid, the cynical uncle, the resilient teacher—these roles may not get top billing, but they reflect society more accurately than any larger-than-life protagonist ever could.
The industry is at a crossroads. With the rise of streaming platforms, indie filmmaking, and an audience hungry for authenticity, there’s never been a better time to celebrate the real heroes of storytelling—the supporting actors who carry the weight of emotion, humour, and humanity on their capable shoulders.
As Deepraj Rana says, “When directors like Sooraj ji or actors like Aamir remember you after decades, you feel seen. You feel validated.” It's high time the entire industry—and the viewing public—echoed that validation.
Chandan adds, “This is a golden time for storytelling. You look at series like Mirzapur, Superboys of Malegaon, Laapataa Ladies — these are ensemble projects where every character matters. That’s the kind of cinema audiences are embracing now. The term ‘supporting role’ will soon become outdated. We are all actors. Every well-played character becomes the hero of their own arc.”
Because in the end, a story isn’t just about who stands at the center. It’s about everyone who holds up the frame.
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