Cinema VinesActor Vikrant Massey has carved a varied path through Indian television, cinema and streaming, deliberately steering clear of type‑casting. In an interview with the Hindustan Times ahead of his new Netflix project, Musafir Cafe, where he also serves as co‑producer, he explained how he has managed to keep his career fresh and why he owes much of his success to the people who believed in him.
“The last thing you want is to be bracketed,” Massey said. “I’ve always tried to avoid falling into the stereotype trap. My audiences have been so gracious, patient and supportive across every platform—TV, film and OTT.” He added that the encouragement from viewers has helped him stay open to new challenges.
Massey credited filmmakers for helping him see his own potential, noting that several directors had faith in him even when he doubted himself. He recalled the impact of Konkana Sen Sharma, who recognized a depth in his portrayal of a character in A Death in Gunj that he had not seen in himself. He also mentioned the influence of directors like Anurag Kashyap, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Meghna Gulzar.
One pivotal moment came when Meghna Gulzar offered him a role opposite Deepika Padukone in Chhapaak. Massey admitted that he almost walked away, unsure whether he could share the screen with a star of Padukone’s stature. “I was worried we wouldn’t look good together,” he recalled. “Gulzar convinced me that we would, and that I should take on the part.” He said the director’s confidence was a decisive factor in his decision to stay on the project.
Despite his reservations, Massey ultimately accepted the role, citing Gulzar’s belief in him as a key reason. He described the experience as part of an ongoing journey, highlighting how the faith of collaborators has continually pushed him beyond his comfort zone.
