MUMBAI: After the Coolie accident in 1983

MUMBAI: Puneet Issar, who is best known for his portrayal of Duryodhan in Mahabharat on TV, has mostly done negative roles. The actor, in an candid chat, shares how his physique and voice became ideal for playing antagonist roles.

“I just fitted the definition of the quintessential villain in films and TV. Also, I think it is easy to play the good guy, but making people hate you is always a big challenge. Ever since the Coolie accident in 1983, when Amitabh Bachchan got hurt in the fight sequence with me, I got categorised as the bad guy. People had so much hate towards me because of that incident that the masses could only see me in a villainous roles! So, I think I started getting offers only for villain roles, but I made the most of it,” he says.

Talking about playing Duryodhan in Mahabharat, he says, “A villain has to look towering. At 6 feet 3 inches, my herculean structure got me the role. It was easy for the audiences to digest the fact that I am the villain.”

The actor, who recently played Ravan in a play shared how the character is different from playing Duryodhan. He says, “Duryodhan was an obstinate child, while Raavan was a man of wisdom poise and grace. Raavan used to plan every move while Duryodhan was impulsive and fickle-minded.”

Puneet Issar has been part of many TV shows, films, plays and his portrayal of Duryodhan in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat is the most memorable.