He is your typical small town boy with the subtle charm that has captivated millions of hearts across the nation. In Lucknow for the unveiling of the trailer of his upcoming film well known Bollywood star Avinash Tiwary steps into the spotlight once again with Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 and sits down for an exclusive conversation with Editor Indie Times, opening up about how he has has quietly carved a niche for himself with performances that linger long after the credits roll. Candid and introspective, he reflects on navigating fame, embracing vulnerability on screen, and why he continues to take the road less travelled in Bollywood.
Q What attracted you to the role of Sunny in Ginny Wedss Sunny 2?
Ans .I deeply connected with Sunny’s journey in the film. The pressure to get married is something most single men in our society experience, and I was no exception, I’ve faced it within my own family as well. At the same time, the film is a warm, light-hearted love story filled with humour and heart. When I read the script, I felt a sense of comfort that here was a film I could watch with my mother and children in my family, something I hadn’t been able to do in a long time. That meant a lot to me. It also gave me confidence that if my own family could enjoy the film with me together, then the audience coming to watch it would feel the same connection. At the end of the film everyone of us who is facing some strife in their relationships will definitely think once to give it one more try, what could be better than that?
Q. You’ve spent close to 15 years in the industry now, when you look back, what has that journey been like for you? And without the backing of a star family, how challenging was it to find your footing in the early years?
Ans. Many have witnessed my struggles over the past 15 years, it has been a long and challenging journey. Not many make it to the stage where they can lead as a protagonist in films, and I consider myself fortunate to have reached that point. Despite the hardships, I kept going, and eventually, I began to see the results of my perseverance. Along the way, I also found a deeper purpose, to use my work in films as a way to represent and advocate for social justice.
Q. You have trained in theatre. Has that added value to your acting career? How so?
Ans. Theatre makes an actor deeply aware of their own talent and helps shape their true calibre. It teaches you everything, from expressing yourself with authenticity to mastering voice modulation, expressions, and the subtle nuances of inhabiting a character. It’s where I learned to truly understand my craft. I believe anyone who aspires to be an actor should experience theatre first, it builds a foundation that nothing else can replace.
Q. Tell us about Laila Majnu, it really touched a chord with the audience?
Ans. Laila Majnu was released nine years ago, but it wasn’t until its re-release that I truly received widespread appreciation from the audience. I sometimes wish the film had been embraced with the same love when it first came out, it might have shaped a very different trajectory for my career. That said, I’m grateful it eventually found its audience and even sparked a trend of re-releases. The response reaffirmed that people connected deeply with its core idea, that if you truly love someone, you should be willing to go all the way to have them in your life.
Q. You left engineering in your fourth semester to pursue acting. What message would you give your fans who are torn between continuing their studies and following a creative passion?
Ans. I didn’t abandon one path for another, I simply chose to study something different. Maine bhi padhai se hi acting seekhi. I joined the Barry John Acting Studio to learn acting and later moved to the New York Acting School to further hone my skills. So, I never gave up on education, I just continued it in a different form. That’s what I would like to tell my fans: “gyaan ko lene se zyada zaroori hai us gyaan ko apni life mein kaise use karna.” For me, there is no substitute for learning and knowledge, it’s what shapes you, no matter which path you choose.
Q. You share a birthday with India, Aug 15th is special for you?
Ans. Yeah (laughs), that’s amazing, it just reiterates that like Bharat, mein bhi azaad hoon, and I live my life independently, truly valuing my freedom. The only thing that crosses my mind on that day is that it’s a dry day, which sometimes throws a wrench in any celebrations I might have planned.
