Exclusive: Salakaar actor Surya Sharma on playing negative roles on screen: "All of us have shades of grey in our lives"

Surya Sharma exclusive interview

Actor Surya Sharma, best known for his impactful performances in shows like Undekhi (2020), Hostages (2019), and Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein, has now taken on a compelling role in the web series Salakaar, streaming on JioCinema.

Portraying the role of a Pakistani Colonel Ashfaq in Salakaar, Surya has been receiving praise for his layered performance.

In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, the actor opened about stepping into the shoes of Ashfaq, the moral complexity of ‘grey’ characters, and his views on artificial intelligence in the creative industry.

On Playing Colonel Ashfaq in Salakaar

Speaking about his role, Surya described Ashfaq as a character whose presence looms large over the entire storyline.

“The constant fear with Ashfaq is that he might do something drastic, like harming Maryam, at any point in the story. Even when I’m not on screen, my name is present in the narrative, creating tension throughout,” he explained.

For Surya, the appeal of grey characters lies in their relatability. “Grey characters are closer to the audience because, in some way, all of us have shades of grey in our lives. Our actions, whether positive, negative, or in between, depend on the situations we face. In Ashfaq’s case, he is driven by his grandfather’s (Pakistani General Zia Ul Haq) promise and the nuclear plant mission. People may see his actions as morally ambiguous, and that’s exactly what I wanted to convey,” he stated.

On the Appeal of Grey Roles

Surya believes such roles allow actors to explore human nature in its raw form. “I like to live in reality, and reality is rarely black or white. These characters reflect life more honestly. If audiences view Ashfaq through a grey lens, that’s wonderful because it means the motive worked,” he added.

Also Read: Fans in Madurai offer prayers for Rajinikanth’s Coolie success, watch

On AI’s Place in the Creative Field

He also emphasised upon the growing role of artificial intelligence in the field of performing arts. Surya said he is skeptical of its long-term impact.

“It is definitely not a blessing in disguise. This AI hype is a bubble. People enjoy being in it for now, but one day it will burst. It might take years, but it will burst," he said.

With Salakaar earning good reviews, Surya Sharma continues to carve his space as an actor unafraid of complex roles and bold opinions both on and off the screen.