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

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.

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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.