‘I have been choosy. I didn't want to compromise'

‘People are already talking about what my character will do in Mirzapur season three.’

Did you know Anjum Sharma began his career with a film that won eight Oscars?

Slumdog Millionaire may have given Anjum a break, but it did nothing to his career.

It was the blockbuster Web series Mirzapur that brought him in the limelight after 12 years of struggle.

I knew my character was important, but I did not imagine that it would stand out in such a huge ensemble cast,

What thoughts crossed your mind when you read the Mirzapur script for the first time?

I came to know about Mirzapur through my friends, who were working on the show.

I had an idea of the story, where it was based and that it was about the crime world.

I had an idea that the script was good.

But I did not think I would get a role because the casting was almost over.

Then Guru (Gurmmeet Singh, Director) called me and told me about this character. He told me there was only one scene in season one and that they would expand the character in season two.

The digital format was not popular at that time, so I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.

But I wanted to work with Guru as I have known him for a long time.

I trusted him.

I also wanted to work in the show because the cast was very good.

In that one scene, they had structured my character Sharad Shukla so well, like how he would think, what would be his story, how he would perform..I did that one scene and forgot about it.

After it released, it was a huge hit.

People started asking about my character.

When I read the season two script, I realised there were a lot of layers.

What kind of preparation did you do to play Sharad Shukla?

Guru and I started working on the character.

Like, my character takes time to respond. He is very calm and not impulsive even in tense situations.

There was an action sequence between Guddu (Ali Fazal) and I, where I have to beat him.

Guddu Pandit is a hulk and if I am beating him, I have to look convincing.