Exclusive - Paatal Lok's Ishwak Singh earns accolades for his role of ACP Ansari, says ' Nothing has changed for me because I haven't realised the magnitude of success'

Ishwak Singh plays the role of ACP Ansari in the hit series Paatal Lok Season 2

Bollywood actor Ishwak Singh's portrayal of ACP Ansari in the critically acclaimed series Paatal Lok has left an indelible mark on audiences. His nuanced performance, coupled with his humility and dedication to his craft, has earned him widespread recognition.

In an exclusive interview with Money Control, Ishwak opened up about his journey, his experiences working on Paatal Lok season 1 and 2, his camaraderie with lead actor Jaideep Ahlawat and his future projects.

Ishwak also spoke about the time when he started his struggle in Mumbai. He also revealed that he stayed in a small room at a friend’s place that was his store and would face rejections but he was firm on his decision to keep working hard.

Ishwak was also seen as a deaf and mute person in the critically acclaimed Berlin that released last year.

Excerpts from the interview:

From Humble beginnings to getting recognition

Ishwak's journey in the entertainment industry has been nothing short of remarkable. He recalls the struggles he faced during his early days in Mumbai, where he had to start from scratch. "Once I moved to Bombay and was yet to find my feet, I started my life all over again, starting by staying in a small room at a friend's place that was his store."

Despite the challenges, Ishwak said his passion for acting kept him going. "It's not easy to make a place for yourself in this city, but if you're good at your work, the city welcomes you with open arms."

Paatal Lok: A Game-Changer

Ishwak's role as ACP Ansari in Paatal Lok has been widely praised. He attributes the show's success to the makers and the entire cast and crew. "Nothing has changed for me because I still haven't realised the magnitude of success that season 2 has received. It's a near-impossible feat, and I give the credit to the makers and the entire cast and crew for working selflessly because of our love for the show."

Working with Jaideep Ahlawat in Paatal Lok 

Ishwak's chemistry with Jaideep Ahlawat, who plays the lead role of Hathiram Chaudhary, has been widely appreciated. He praised Jaideep and said he is not only a brilliant actor but also a wonderful person. "He is not just a brilliant actor but also a wonderful person. I’ve enjoyed every day on and off set with him. It’s been a great ride."

When we asked him about a particular scene where his character shares a personal moment with Jaideep's character, Ishwak revealed that it was a spontaneous moment that happened organically during filming. "It just happened. It was late in the night, in the biting cold of Nagaland, and I still don't understand how it happened so organically and smoothly."

Getting love from fans for ACP Ansari 

Ansari is getting a lot of love. I’m flooded with messages from fans on social media and it seems surreal. People really felt for him and he has become a symbol of sorts of a righteous man who fights injustice inside and outside the system with dignity and grace.

Took inspiration from real life police officials

Reflecting on his character's growth from a Sub Inspector in the first season of Paatal Lok to an IPS in the second, Ishwak revealed that he didn't make any conscious changes in his physicality or mannerisms. Instead, he focused on understanding the duties and outlook of a young officer in a position of power.

"I didn’t apply any conscious changes in physicality or in the way of doing things. Instead I understood the duties of an ACP and the outlook of a young officer in this position of power. I interacted with Feroze Alam a gentleman who was a head constable and cracked IPS and understood his outlook towards his job and life. I interacted with some other brilliant officers who really inspired me to present the character as honestly as I could."

Future Projects and OTT vs. Theatrical Releases

Ishwak has several projects in the pipeline, including a film and a show that he's excited about. When asked about his preference for OTT or theatrical releases, he revealed that he doesn't think in terms of platforms. "I go for great content, and anything that piques my interest. The journey of the film, where it'll end up, is beyond my control."

As Ishwak Singh continues to make waves in the industry, it's clear that he's here to stay.

Ishwak Singh made his Bollywood debut with a very small role in the 2013 film Raanjhanaa which had Sonam Kapoor, Dhanush in lead roles. Next he was a part of 2015 films Aligarh and Tamasha and then in the romantic drama Tum Bin II (2016).

He was seen in a supporting role opposite Sonam Kapoor in the comedy Veere Di Wedding (2018) and then in 2019, he was also seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali-produced film Malaal, starring Sharmin Segal and Meezaan Jafri.

But he rose to fame with his role of police official Ansari in Paatal Lok (2020–2025). He was also seen in Rocket Boys (2022–2023) and also received nominations for the Filmfare OTT Awards.

He was also seen in the second season of hit show Made in Heaven and in the spy thriller film Berlin, both released in 2023.

Paatal Lok 2 is streaming on Amazon Prime and is directed by  Avinash Arun.