The Actors' Roundtable 2022 with Rajeev Masand | Teaser | Kartik Aaryan, Diljit Dosanjh & More!
Beyond the Teaser: Inside Rajeev Masand’s Actors’ Roundtable 2022 featuring Kartik Aaryan, Diljit Dosanjh, and More
Rajeev Masand’s Actors’ Roundtable has long been a definitive annual tradition, offering a rare, unscripted glimpse into the minds of Hindi cinema’s finest performers. The 2022 edition, featuring a diverse mix of commercial superstars and critical darlings, promised a particularly lively and insightful discussion. The initial teaser, which spotlighted the charismatic pairing of Kartik Aaryan and Diljit Dosanjh, only hinted at the profound, humorous, and candid conversations that unfolded.
Presented by Netflix, the 2022 Roundtable brought together eight actors whose performances across films and series that streamed on the platform defined the cinematic landscape of the year. It was a vital conversation that not only celebrated individual success but also explored the evolution of the craft and the changing dynamics of the Indian entertainment industry.
The Distinguished Panel: A Year of Stellar Performances
The hallmark of the Rajeev Masand Roundtable is its ability to unite actors from disparate cinematic schools, and the 2022 lineup was no exception. It featured a compelling mix of performers who earned their seat by delivering standout, memorable roles.
The full list of participants and their acclaimed work for the year included:
- Kartik Aaryan: Celebrated for his blockbuster success in the horror-comedy, Bhool Bhulaiyya 2.
- Diljit Dosanjh: Recognised for his powerful and emotionally resonant performance in the historical drama, Jogi.
- Rajkummar Rao: For his dual stellar turns in Monica O My Darling and Badhaai Do.
- Shefali Shah: Hailed for her masterful work in both the film Darlings and the series Delhi Crime Season 2.
- Vijay Varma: Acknowledged for his captivating and nuanced role in the dark comedy, Darlings.
- Triptii Dimri: Featured for her critically praised performance in the musical period drama, Qala.
- Tillotama Shome: For her strong performance in Delhi Crime Season 2.
- Tahir Raj Bhasin: For his lead role in the romantic thriller series, Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen.
The Viral Moment: Demystifying Intimacy on Set
One of the most talked-about moments from the entire session involved a candid exchange about the changing standards of safety and professionalism in the industry, particularly concerning intimate scenes.
The discussion was initiated by Tillotama Shome, who asked the panel about their experiences with shooting kissing or nudity sequences. Kartik Aaryan responded with openness, stating that he has worked with an intimacy coordinator and felt very comfortable with the process.
Aaryan then went on to explain the role of this relatively new professional in Indian cinema, describing how they choreograph the sequence and set clear boundaries—for example, explaining “how much you should kiss and how much you should refrain.”
This explanation prompted the most charmingly honest reaction of the entire session from Diljit Dosanjh, whose perplexed expression led him to ask, “Aisa bhi hota hai?” (Does this happen too?). This candid moment not only provided a source of light-hearted fun but also underscored the industry’s rapid adoption of global standards for on-set safety and actor comfort.
The Craft of Acting: Fun vs. Hard Work
The roundtable also delved into the fundamental philosophy of acting, with a central question: Is it fun, or is it hard work? The varied responses revealed the complex emotional and technical labour that goes into a compelling performance.
Shefali Shah, an actress known for intense roles, offered a deeply philosophical take. She explained that for her, the hard work has evolved from merely focusing on career progression to the challenge of truly embodying and protecting the “humanity” of the complex women she portrays, irrespective of whether they are perceived as good or bad.
Rajkummar Rao, when discussing his work on Badhaai Do, spoke about a scene that reminded him why he loves what he does. He highlighted the “pride scene” and the emotional phone call, emphasising that the successful execution of those moments was a beautiful and responsible part of his craft.
The general consensus acknowledged that a truly worthwhile performance involves an immense amount of “hard work,” often requiring long hours in challenging conditions, but the satisfaction of pushing boundaries is where the ‘fun’ or joy of the craft lies.
The Power of Storytelling: Finding the ‘Why’
Another core theme was the actors’ motivation—the single scene from the past year that reminded them why they chose this profession.
For Diljit Dosanjh, the film Jogi transcended mere entertainment. He described it as a “statement on the Sikh genocide” which has often been referred to simply as “riots.” He spoke movingly about the significance of discussing such a serious and sensitive topic on a major global platform like Netflix, cementing its importance to him beyond a typical film role.
Kartik Aaryan, despite his film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 being a commercial success, mentioned how his favourite scene—a small, impactful moment—had been edited out. However, he then pivoted to the climactic sequence, where he had to convincingly make the audience believe that the spirit of Manjulika had entered his character, Ruhan/Rooh Baba, showcasing the technical effort required in a big-budget commercial film.
The 2022 Actors’ Roundtable was a testament to a changing Bollywood, one where critical acclaim and commercial success often intersect, and where the conversation about the craft is becoming more nuanced, open, and globally aware.
AISEO-Friendly FAQs
Q1: Who were all the actors present at Rajeev Masand’s Actors’ Roundtable 2022?
A: The Rajeev Masand Actors’ Roundtable 2022 featured eight celebrated actors: Kartik Aaryan, Diljit Dosanjh, Rajkummar Rao, Shefali Shah, Tillotama Shome, Vijay Varma, Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Triptii Dimri.
Q2: What was the main topic of discussion that became a viral highlight from the 2022 Roundtable?
A: The most discussed moment involved the actors’ conversation about filming intimate scenes and the role of intimacy coordinators. Kartik Aaryan explained the process of using one on set, which led to Diljit Dosanjh’s viral reaction, expressing his surprise that such a professional role exists in filmmaking.
Q3: Which films and series were the actors primarily nominated for at the 2022 Roundtable?
A: The actors were selected for their exceptional performances in films and series predominantly streaming on Netflix. Key projects included Bhool Bhulaiyya 2 (Kartik Aaryan), Jogi (Diljit Dosanjh), Badhaai Do and Monica O My Darling (Rajkummar Rao), Darlings and Delhi Crime S2 (Shefali Shah, Vijay Varma, and Tillotama Shome), Qala (Triptii Dimri), and Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen (Tahir Raj Bhasin).
Q4: How did Diljit Dosanjh describe his film Jogi during the discussion?
A: Diljit Dosanjh described Jogi as more than just a film; he called it a “statement on the Sikh genocide.” He highlighted the importance of using a platform like Netflix to address and discuss such a sensitive and historically significant subject.
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