Ashutosh Rana isn’t just an actor; he’s a true artist. He breathes life into characters, making them feel real. But beyond his famous villains, he’s chasing roles that change hearts and minds. He wants to play characters that guide society.
Rana has already brought Ravana to life on screen. Now, he dreams of becoming Lord Krishna. He sees Krishna not just as a deity, but as a deep thinker. Krishna’s wisdom and teachings light the path for many. Exploring that role would be fascinating for him.
He also hopes to portray Chanakya. Chanakya’s smart strategies are still useful today. Another character close to his heart is Karna from the Mahabharata. Karna is a great warrior, but his story is also very sad. If given the chance, Rana would also love to play Parshuram. This character combines immense power with deep meditation. Rana feels lucky to even wish for these roles, calling them symbols of Indian culture and history that point society in the right direction. He prays these wishes turn into opportunities, and he feels his journey began with Ravana.
His current stage play, ‘Humare Ram’, shows his passion for meaningful stories. This play has become hugely popular. In just 14 months, they’ve performed over 260 shows. They’ve traveled to 16 states, and even had sold-out shows in Dubai. Rana says the love they get is like what a big film gets when it’s a huge hit. He believes the Ramayana is so vast that even ten films or series wouldn’t be enough to tell its full story.
Beyond the stage, Rana is gearing up for his new film, ‘Heer Express’. He sees every film as a chance to break himself down and create something new. He worked with director Umesh Shukla on this project. Rana finds Shukla to be a director who gives actors freedom, but also guides them when needed. Shukla deeply understands theater, writing, and directing. His past films, like ‘Oh My God’ and ‘102 Not Out’, prove this. When a director knows every part of filmmaking, actors can trust them completely. Rana enjoyed working with the talented Gulshan Grover. He also had a lot of fun with the new actors, Preet and Divita.
Rana has a positive view of today’s young actors. He notes that earlier generations had fewer choices. His own generation had theater, cinema, and TV. But today’s actors have even more options: stage, films, TV, streaming platforms, and social media. More options mean less worry for actors. It helps their confidence grow. That’s why young artists seem so sure of themselves these days.
He also weighed in on social media followers sometimes influencing casting. He believes truly talented artists always need the right chance. Sometimes, very gifted people don’t get opportunities. Other times, someone less talented might get a big break. But the ones who last are those with real skill and dedication. Social media just announces your presence. An actor’s talent and skill working together are what keep them in the spotlight for a long time. The real test is how truly and honestly you play a role when you get the chance.