Jaideep Ahlawat talks about playing characters older than his actual age; says, 'I leaned into that challenge because the stories were too beautiful to pass up'

Jaideep Ahlawat talks about playing characters more than his age

Jaideep Ahlawat, known for his intense screen presence in films and digital series, recently spoke about his craft at the 13th edition of the Jagran Film Festival (JFF) 2025.

On Day 3, Ahlawat conducted a masterclass titled The Stillness That Shakes the Screen, where he spoke about the choices that have defined his career. Reflecting on his journey, Ahlawat noted how many of the roles offered to him over the years have been of characters older than his actual age.

“That was never by design. The stories that came to me often had characters older than my age, and as an actor, I couldn’t deny them. To portray that, I worked on my voice, body language, posture, and even my look. Those roles carried a certain weight, and I leaned into that challenge because the stories were too beautiful to pass up,” Ahlawat explained.

The actor also emphasised that the strength of a performance lies in truthfulness to the story, not the actor’s age. “Age is just a number, the story is the truth,” he said. He added that embodying older characters gave him the opportunity to explore layers of maturity, gravitas, and vulnerability that might otherwise take years of lived experience.

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Speaking about auditions, Ahlawat stressed that he views them as a fair process rather than a setback. “I have given auditions — even for international projects. I believe it’s the director’s right to see an actor in a certain light before visualising them in a role. If a director isn’t convinced, it’s fair to audition so they can see whether you fit their vision. That process doesn’t take away from an actor — it only makes the story stronger,” he remarked.

Alongside these professional insights, Ahlawat also reflected on his personal preference for simplicity. He shared he feels most comfortable in jeans and a kurta rather than constantly dressing up for appearances.

Recently seen in Jewel Thief alongside Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat has quite a few projects in his pipeline including Shah Rukh Khan's King, Hisaab with Shefali Shah and Hawai Fire.