Bhupendra Singh Jadawat is fast emerging as one of the most promising new-age actors, rooted in theatre and known for his raw, honest performances. An NSD graduate, he’s impressed in projects like Class of '83, Modern Love Mumbai, and now takes center stage as the only male lead in Netflix’s Dabba Cartel. We spoke to him about his journey so far and what’s shaping his steady rise.

Experience of working with Shabana Azmi

Bhupendra was seen as the only male lead in Netflix's much-awaited series 'Dabba Cartel', where he is accompanied by veteran actors like Shabana Azmi. Talking about his experience of working with Shabana Ji, Bhupendra says, "It was a very good experience working with her because she was playing my mother's role. Whenever we used to sit outside the set, we used to have deep discussions not only about scenes but also about society, cinema and life." Bhupendra says that he got to know Shabana Azmi during his NSD days through films like 'Masoom', 'Makdi'. "I had never thought that I would get a chance to work with her one day. Her presence itself teaches a lot."

Journey from NSD to Mumbai

Bhupendra Singh Jadawat graduated from NSD in 2017 and moved to Mumbai in 2018. “There’s no dramatic story behind it, I just knew I had to come. I started frequenting Aram Nagar in Andheri, where every aspiring actor begins their journey. I don’t call it a struggle, because anyone with big dreams has to go through this process and I did it without panic,” he shares.He recalls meeting every casting director he could, having conversations, and patiently waiting for auditions. “I threw myself into short films, and whatever opportunities came my way. Slowly, one thing led to another, and those small beginnings opened doors to bigger projects.”

First break in Bollywood and understanding of acting

He met senior casting director Abhimanyu Ray, with whom he had a long conversation about acting and theatre."Soon after, I got a call from his office and I got a chance in 'Class of 83'. From there, everything slowly started building up." Bhupendra believes that he did not choose shortcuts, but took every step thoughtfully and with hard work. His work in projects like 'Modern Love Mumbai' and 'Ittu Si Baat' testifies to this.