Aryan Pushkar has stepped into the spotlight with his acting debut in Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, and the response to his performance has been encouraging. The actor, who has quietly worked on his craft over the years, says his journey so far has been both fulfilling and deeply educational.

“My journey as an actor has been quite fulfilling, and I’m grateful to the people and opportunities that showed up at the right times,” Aryan shares. He admits there were moments when he felt opportunities came late, but with maturity came clarity. “Along the way, I realised nothing came late; I just wasn’t ready then, and it made me realise that patience goes a long way in this industry.” Making his big-screen debut with Ikkis proved to be a defining professional moment. Aryan describes the experience as transformative. “Being part of IKKIS was a key moment for me. Performing under such a legendary director and DOP opened me up as an actor,” he says, adding, “Nothing changes you like your first film, especially if it’s at such a big scale.”

Apart from his debut film, Aryan also looks back fondly at his short film Policeman Special (2019), which he acted in, wrote, and produced. “The love that the film and my character received gave me the confidence of a lifetime,” he recalls. “It made me believe that I can make a good film, no matter what the circumstances or resources.” When it comes to choosing roles, Aryan enjoys variety but has clear preferences. “I like romantic and negative characters a little bit more,” he says, explaining that both offer limitless creative freedom. “There’s so much room to explore, and as an actor, you feel like a child in a candy store.”

For Aryan Pushkar, meaningful writing and strong direction remain non-negotiable. “A well-written script in the hands of a good director is worth its weight in gold,” he signs off, hinting at the thoughtful choices he hopes to make going forward.