Gagan Arora has come a long way in the entertainment industry. After working on Stree as an Assistant Director (AD), he went on to become one of the most adored characters in College Romance.
In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Gagan talked about how his journey—which has been fuelled by passion, perseverance, and flexibility—has allowed him to amass a devoted fan base.
He talked about his experience navigating the OTT industry, his memorable portrayal of Bagga, and his transition from direction to acting.
Experts from the Interview: Q: Gagan, you began your career as an AD on Stree; was acting always something you imagined for yourself?
Honestly, never, I started my career in direction, and I never imagined myself as an actor. At one point, I was quite frustrated with actors – they always arrived late, spent time in vanity vans, and it felt like they didn’t really appreciate the hard work happening on set. But life had other plans. A random call from a theatre junior got me into auditioning, and that led to me becoming Bagga in College Romance. It was all a whirlwind.
Q: You went from an AD to playing Bagga, a role that became an instant hit. How would you describe the experience of transitioning from direction to acting?
It was surreal. There was no plan to be in front of the camera, but once I was there, it felt like it was meant to be. The character of Bagga really resonated with people, and to be honest, I just tried to do my best. The more I got into it, the more I realized that this was another form of creative expression – acting was my new way of storytelling.
Q: College Romance made you a household name, especially among Gen Z. What is it like having such a large and dedicated fanbase?
It's surreal! Bagga’s character really connected with a lot of people, and I’ve had countless messages from fans saying they find him relatable. Gen Z, in particular, has been amazing. They’re energetic, they’re passionate, and I really enjoy engaging with them. It’s humbling to know that a character you played has touched so many lives.
Q: Speaking of iconic roles, you worked with the legendary Madhuri Dixit in Fame Game. How did you manage to work alongside someone so established?
It was honestly like a dream come true. I come from a middle-class background, and to share the screen with someone like Madhuri ma’am was beyond anything I could have imagined. But once we met, she made sure I felt comfortable. Her humility and kindness put me at ease, and she helped me grow as an actor. It was a learning experience that I’ll treasure forever.
Q: You also spoke about your role in Khauf being particularly difficult. What made this role stand out?
Khauf was the toughest role I’ve ever played. The character, Nakul, is extremely different from anything I’ve done before. Normally, as an actor, I draw inspiration from my own life. But with Nakul, I had nothing to reference. He’s a dark character, and the more I read the script, the more I started judging his actions. It was hard to play someone so negative without letting myself get lost in the judgment. I had to keep reminding myself to be objective and approach it as a challenge. It was tough, but ultimately it made me a better actor.
Q: How do you handle being stereotyped as an actor, especially after College Romance?
Stereotyping happens a lot, especially in the OTT world. After College Romance, I was constantly offered similar roles – the Delhi boy who’s fun, loud, and slightly rebellious. But I was very clear that I didn’t want to be typecast. It took a few years of saying no to certain roles, but eventually, I got the opportunity to prove myself in different genres. Fame Game and Khauf were huge turning points. They showed people that I could do drama, intensity, and complex characters.
Q: You’ve worked with a wide variety of actors, from Saif Ali Khan to Jaideep Ahlawat. What was it like working alongside these talents?
Working with Saif Ali Khan was a dream. He’s such a grounded person, and I learned a lot just by observing him. He made sure that I was comfortable, and he didn’t treat me like an outsider even though I was a newcomer to that kind of project.
Similarly, Jaideep Ahlawat is a powerhouse of talent. He brings such intensity to his roles, and watching him on set was an education in itself. Both of them taught me a lot about the craft, and I’m grateful for those experiences.
Q: Lastly, if you could go back to your college days, would you change anything?
No, absolutely not. The struggles, the challenges – they’ve all shaped me into who I am today. If I changed anything, I might not be here having this conversation with you. The journey has been difficult at times, but I wouldn’t change a thing. If anything, I’d just have started dieting earlier in life!
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