Actor Shreyas Talpade is looking forward to his upcoming film Emergency

He has been in the industry for almost two decades, but 2024 was special for actor Shreyas Talpade—he was the Hindi voice of Allu Arjun in the second outing of the blockbuster Pushpa franchise! And, 2025 has also started on a bright note. Come January 17 and his film Emergency, headlined by Kangana Ranaut, will stream on Zee 5. “I play the late Prime Minsiter Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the film. Working with Kangana Ranaut and other cast members was amazing. I am hoping that audiences like me in that role,” he says.

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Well, while we leave it to time and critics to decide the fate of his upcoming project, we can’t let go of the topic of Pushpa as his powerful dubbing has once again resonated with audiences, earning him widespread praise for bringing the iconic character of Pushpa Raj to life in a new language. “It feels great as new records are being created. I am glad people like my work and happy that Pushpa is creating history,” he beams. When it all began with the first part, Shreyas had no clue that a film like Pushpa was being made. “After I saw Allu Arjun’s work in the film, I was really impressed. That’s how I became a part of the dubbing process.” There were many challenges, but Shreyas saw an opportunity in each of them. “I thought it was quite a difficult film to make and dub, but I took it on. The rest, the audience decides.”

Packed schedule

The year has been really good for Shreyas and he thanks the Almighty for all the projects that came his way in 2024. “I was already working on Welcome, when Housefull and Baaghi happened, Pushpa and Mufasa too. Emergency is due for a release soon. Hindi thriller Kartam Bhugtam and another Marathi film were also released in 2024. God has been kind and I am thankful.”

Franchise funda

Having been a part of popular franchises like Housefull and Welcome, are sequels and threequels the recipe for success nowadays? Shreyas says, “I think with a particular franchise, people somewhere know what to expect and if you are able to give them exactly that, then they are very happy. Golmaal, Housefull, Dhamaal and Welcome are therefore a hit. However, whether it is a franchise film or a new one, the pressure of performing well is always there.”

There is a method that Shreyas follows as far choosing his characters is concerned. “It all depends on how excited I am about the role coming my way. If it does not excite me enough, I let it pass. Quality of my work matters more to me than quantity.”

Precisely the reason he keeps selecting different genres. “Sometimes I play characters that might look very small in scale, but I find them interesting because they give me an opportunity to explore myself as an actor and try something that I haven’t done before.”

Patience is the key

As for the most difficult part of being an actor, Shreyas says one word—patience. “You have to learn to wait, whether it is waiting for a great part to come your way or to develop a great part for yourself as a producer, director or actor. I think most of us really give up around the time when something is about to be done.” In 2025, there is much more on his platter and he is keen about the coming times. “All these projects that I am doing right now will probably release one after the other. I am also reading a couple of scripts and there are some interesting shows lined up.” Like he said, it all depends on how excited Shreyas is about

the roles!