Bhuvan Arora is back with yet another striking performance, this time in Janaawar – The Beast Within. Known for his versatility—most recently in the hit Farzi—Bhuvan now takes on the role of a sub-inspector navigating duty, personal dilemmas, and high-stakes pursuit.
In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, he speaks about falling in love with the script, preparing for the role, emotional challenges, the rise of AI in cinema, and why OTT is a game-changer for actors today.
A Script Too Good to Refuse
When asked about his first reaction to the script, Bhuvan lights up.
He said, “I went through the script first and I am always on a lookout to find characters that I have not played before. That’s the beauty of the job—to challenge yourself as an actor and as a creative person. When I read the script, I fell in love with it because it was really intriguing. I really liked how layered the character was written—he’s balancing a lot of things while he’s on a hunt for a criminal. That really appealed to me. Honestly, it was a no-brainer. It was an instant yes.”
Balancing Extremes – On and Off Screen
The actor admits playing a conflicted cop wasn’t easy.
“Like you, me, and everybody else—we all balance professional and personal lives daily. So the concept wasn’t alien to me. But in this character’s case, the balance went to another level of extremities. Meditation really helped me because the kind of pressure the character is going through, any sane man would probably lose it. Sometimes, I even felt like it was too much. I couldn’t separate myself completely from the part. So I had to find that calm, that control. Meditation became my tool.” Bhuvan mentioned.
Prepping to Become a “Desi Cop”
The physical and linguistic preparations were extensive.
“We had a language coach because the village in the story is fictional but revolves around Chhattisgarh. We wanted to keep the dialect loosely based on that without targeting a specific region. I also put on some weight because honestly, I didn’t look like a desi cop. Those little changes really matter.”
His previous army training and his father’s background came in handy, he said, “Fortunately, I had been through police training before. I’d also done army training for a film, and since my dad was in the army, I’ve always been good with weapons. The only thing I had to get absolutely right was the salute—where the cap is placed with the emblem. You cannot disrespect that. My father used to get very annoyed when army films got such details wrong. So I made sure every cop watching would feel it was authentic.”
An Emotional High Point
Among the many intense moments, one scene stands out for him:
“There is a scene in the promo where the character holds a baby—he has just become a father. The baby had literally been born the previous night and was already on set earning his first paycheck! To hold that baby in my arms stirred something inside me. I think it was the first time I encountered life so closely. That delicate, fragile life—it moved me in a way I had never felt before.”
On AI in Cinema
The conversation drifted towards AI’s impact on filmmaking, and Bhuvan offered a balanced view.
Bhuvan mentioned, “I think AI will be a very helpful tool in the future. But I don’t believe it can entirely replace what we have. Some jobs might be at stake, yes, but you still need an actor, a producer, a director—even for an AI-generated film. Let’s not be ignorant; it is a matter of concern. But AI can never be original—it can create good ideas, but originality is something we as humans bring. If used rightly, AI can make films cost-efficient and easier to produce. But if misused, we’ll end up in a story we’ve already seen—where AI takes control of the world and we’re fighting against it.”
The Joy of Versatility
For Bhuvan, the excitement lies in constantly shifting gears.
He said, “This is the most joyous part of the job. To live different lives. How many people get to do that? One day I wake up as a cop, another day I’m a kleptomaniac, another day I’m counterfeiting currency. That’s the beauty of acting. My choices highly rely on how different the role is from what I’ve already done.”
OTT – A Boon for Storytelling
The actor acknowledges how streaming platforms have changed the game for performers.
“Whatever I have today is because of OTT. The very conversation we’re having is because of these platforms. OTT is a boon—it has created jobs, brought quality content, and given audiences the power to choose. People feel in control of what they want to watch. I’m just fortunate to be an actor in this era, in a time when OTT exists and is thriving.”
As the conversation drew to a close, Bhuvan had a heartfelt message:
“Please watch Janaawar – The Beast Within. I’ve given it my all and I really look forward to hearing back from audiences.”
About Janaawar – The Beast Within
Set in the small town of Chhand, Janaawar – The Beast Within is not just a crime thriller—it’s a raw look at human nature when pushed to its limits.
Bhuvan Arora known for his role in Farzi stars as Sub-Inspector Hemant Kumar, a cop from a tribal community whose life is upended after a series of gruesome discoveries: a headless body, stolen gold, and secrets that shake his world.
Hemant must confront the discrimination and social barriers that have characterised his life since he was a young boy while he pursues vicious criminals.
The show, which was directed by Shachindra Vats and starred Bhagwan Tiwari and Atul Kale, explores the tension between identity and duty. Fundamentally, it's about each person's "beast" and the decision to either control it or allow it to consume them.
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