Interview | Abhay Verma on Munjya 2: 'I personally would urge our directors'

New Delhi, India

Abhay Verma is living the life he once dreamt of. Hailing from Panipat, a north Indian town, the 25-year-old actor is all over the headlines for his outstanding performance in the horror-comedy film Munjya. Garnering a lot of appraise for his performance in Maddox's movie, Abhay started his journey by appearing in advertisements and went on to do numerous shows and films such as Safed, Little Things, Marzi, and Manoj Bajpayee's The Family Man 2, which has solidified Abhay's position in the industry, catapulting him into the limelight.

Abhay started his journey from scratch, and after years of working, his hard work has finally paid off. Speaking to WION, Abhay expressed his gratitude towards the audience for making the movie a hit, Munjya 2 possibilities and about his journey as an outsider in the industry.

Read the experts from the chat here. 

WION: Munjya being a huge hit, what do you have to say about the movie's success?

Abhay: Coming from an outsider, getting this opportunity itself means the world to me. But, I wasn't ready for this kind of validation that people have given to Munjya. I really believe that the industry is not made by industry people, but it is very much made by the audiences and the love that they have to give to films or any specific actor. 

WION: Your role of Bittu in Munjya is getting an great response from the audience and critics alike. What are your views on the same?

Abhay: Especially in my case, Bittu has touched hearts and he has been appreciated everywhere from the smallest to the eldest member of the family, all age groups. I believe the audience validation is something which I work for and if you receive love from them, it feels like you can achieve anything. Critics, even my colleagues all the people that I got inspired from like Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurrana, especially Karan Johar, people like them messaging me, a newcomer who comes from a small town Panipat, who has gotten this wonderful opportunity like Munjya. So, when such people message me whom you are inspired by, it's another level of validation, that makes you feel that you can be a part of bigger things in life you can do kinds of things that can influence people and expire them. So that's a responsibility which has come with love from Munjya. 

I just have an overwhelming phase of my life where I always pinch myself every hour and this is a feeling that is too good to be true and I really have no words right now to define it. 

WION: Is there any possibility of Munjya 2?

Abhay: Well, the possibility of Munjya 2 depends on the producers. Now that the movie has been well-received by the audience. So that could be, I would actually like to be on the same front as the audience that yes I would like to manifest and want Munjya 2. So I personally would also urge our directors and the team to create something even bigger and even larger than life for people to experience and just give the love which they have given to Munjya. I believe the love that is pouring in will compel us to do more and more good work. Be it Munjya or any other project. But yes entertainment and the love from the public can make anything possible, that I really believe, so yeah why not.

WION: What's the best fan reaction or the critics' review you have seen on the internet?

Abhay: Honestly, It comes to me as disbelief that I, Abhay Verma, have fans also. I would really like to mention this one incident which happened when I was surprised visiting theatres in the premiere of Munjya when people were seeing it and the audiences were loving it. One small 5-year-old girl actually wanted a picture with me and when I sat down with her and clicked the picture she actually put a chain out of her neck and gave it to me. This was something special because kids loved whatever they had and did share that easily. But to be able to be gifted a chain from a 5-year-old which I'm still wearing is I think the most special gift that I've gotten or the reaction that I've gotten from my, so to say, fan or a lover or appreciator of my work so that is something which really tops my head.

WION: You started your journey from scratch and have reached a point when you are living the life of a hero. So how does stardom feel? 

Abhay: From being a boy from Panipat to a leading hero of Munjya, I think it's too good to be true. I believe this is not just a win for me, but it belongs to every single person from a small town, wondering whether they should dream big or not and whether they should be accepted as an actor or not.  As I mentioned, this is not my win but every other person who is dreaming of making it big. In my career, doing different roles is the only satisfaction I get and I only want to say that I am coming from all the stereotypes that industry and people have made, like you don't have to do this or that role. I can play anything; from transgender to terrorist and now a simple boy in Munjya, who ultimately becomes a gentleman, so my intent has always been clear.