Vikrant Massey is not the conventional Bollywood superstar, nor would he have ever wanted to be, but his lack of external acclaim makes him one of the most engaging actors in India today, and is the reason he has been able to change Bollywood’s once higher-than-life standards.
Massey has had a very different journey from most other actors; he didn’t get a standard big break in film. Like many other actors who worked very hard to carve out their space in the industry, he got his start in television with shows like Balika Vadhu and Qubool Hai. At a time when television actors were being labelled as unworthy of film work, and for the most part struggled to break into film due to typecasting, Massey chose to work hard and develop his skills until he was ready to audition for film roles, instead of rushing into film with no preparation.
Vikrant made a calculated transition from television to film; it was slow and methodical. He played a supporting role in films like Lootera and Dil Dhadakne Do, which exposed his incredible natural ability on-screen. Massey’s performances in both roles were emotional without being overdone, and even in both cases, he only had limited time on-screen. He didn’t perform on-screen with the hope of receiving applause, but acted based on the reality of the situations he was in.
What truly sets Massey apart is his instinct for choosing stories. While others have been trying to make films based on box office success, he has been drawn to storytelling that has an authentic feel and human emotion to it. This connection to the emotion of the story can be seen in films such as A Death in the Gunj and Chhapaak, and his ability to communicate complex ideas through non-verbal communication is something that he has developed throughout his career. His performances have a sense that he has lived the role he is performing, so you do not feel like you are watching a character but someone you may know.
Then came the streaming boom, and Massey found his perfect playground. Films like Haseen Dillruba and, more recently, 12th Fail have continued to reinforce the direction his career is heading in. 12th Fail was especially noteworthy as it represents a turning point in his career as an actor due to his ability to portray a compatible character without relying on traditional male “hero” tropes. His performance in 12th Fail was honest and deeply moving, which connected with the audience so well.
One of the things that is so refreshing about the actor is that his characters do not have an invincible persona; they fail, doubt themselves, and have shortcomings. But in that vulnerability lies their strength – and his. He represents the changing attitudes of audiences, which are now valuing relatability over perfection and depth over style.
Off-screen, too, there’s a certain groundedness to him. He takes time to think before he speaks, he chooses his words carefully, and doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to conform to Bollywood’s traditional definition of a leading man. It is this consistency – both in himself and in the characters he chooses – that makes it easy to believe in him and the work that he is doing.
Although Vikrant Massey may not be the classic “Bollywood hero” most people envision, perhaps that definition is changing. And in that shift, he’s the leading man, quiet but sure.
