Udit Arora: Bringing Timeless Characters to Life in Jamtara, Agni, Crash Course, Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo

Imagine a 90s kid, sprawled on the floor, eyes glued to a flickering TV screen as larger-than-life heroes leap from films to dreams – not in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi but in Kanpur. For Udit, that magic wasn’t just a fleeting fantasy, it was a whisper of what could be. Growing up with a theater-actor father, he felt the pull of the stage early, yet life tossed him between cricket pitches and the pressure to be an engineer, before he found his true stage in acting.

Garima sat down with Udit to trace his winding path from small-town ambitions to the big screen. Udit is recognized and celebrated for his outstanding performances in the film Agni, the series Jamtara on Netflix, Crash Course on Amazon Prime, Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo, and more.

His story is a raw, relatable nudge for anyone chasing a dream. And here's the excerpt from the conversation. Read along!

We’re both 90s kids, a time when career options were quite specific and well outlined by our parents. Tell me, did you always want to become an actor?

Well, I think everyone at some point dreams of being an actor. Especially when you watch films, there’s something magical about it, and I think everyone wants to be a part of that world. But pursuing it professionally requires a certain temperament, a certain kind of person who realizes they can handle that kind of lifestyle.

For me, growing up, my father was a theater actor, and I’d often watch his plays. I was directly in contact with that process — the audience cheering for him, the way people reacted when he made his grand entry on stage. It was mesmerizing. And I would watch films and think, "I want to experience that.”

But at the same time, I didn’t want to follow that path for a long time. My school didn’t offer any theater programs, and I didn’t have the opportunity to pursue it. I was into cricket for a while. I even left my studies for cricket, but then I realized I was neglecting my academics, so I switched back to focus on that. My sister, on the other hand, was very clear about her future. She wanted to study literature and go abroad, and I just felt lost. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. But then things changed.

My grandfather was a self-taught man, a very intelligent person. He worked at IIT Kanpur and always encouraged me to pursue engineering. And though I had an interest in science, I realized that engineering wasn’t for me.

By the time I was 17 or 18, I decided to pursue theater. It was something that called to me, and I realized I shouldn’t let it go. My father was incredibly supportive, and that’s how my journey into acting began.

That’s such an interesting journey, Udit. Theatre had a big impact on you, even from a young age. But you didn’t just stop at theatre. You ventured into cinema as well. How was your transition into the film industry?

The transition to films was an interesting one. When I started auditioning, one of my first roles was in The Zoya Factor. It was a great experience, and even though the movie didn’t do as well as expected, people still appreciated my character. That was really encouraging. I always wanted to do something related to cricket, and that movie brought me full circle. It felt like a special moment.

But I’ve also had other experiences that were more personal. Crash Course, for instance, was a reflection of my own experiences. I had gone through that pressure of becoming an engineer, just like my character. And when I got the chance to portray that in Crash Course, it was very cathartic for me.

I think that’s why people connected with your character so much in Crash Course. You were able to bring a personal touch to it. And I think people resonated with the growth and redemption arc of your character. How do you manage to move on from a role like that, especially when the audience connects so deeply with it?

That’s a challenge for every actor. When a character stays with you, it’s hard to let go. Especially after you’ve invested so much into it. But, ultimately, it’s about realizing that the character’s attributes — whether it’s arrogance or humility — are really about understanding yourself.

In Crash Course, for example, I played a character who’s initially arrogant, but by the end, there’s growth and redemption. The audience appreciates that because they see themselves in that transformation.

When I’m preparing for a new character, it’s all about switching gears. Sometimes it’s exhausting. I remember shooting two projects at once — Zoya Factor and Jamtara. There was a point when I’d shoot for one project in the day and another in the night. It can be draining, but it’s also rewarding. You have to dig deep into your own experiences to bring those characters to life.

Watch the full conversation with Udit Arora on The Story Bar YouTube channel. Do subscribe, your support means a lot to us.

You’re an outsider. Do you think that makes a difference?

Yes, people from film families might have an advantage when they start, and that's just the way it is. But that’s not the full story, and it’s not their fault. Anyone could have been born into a family in the industry, so I don’t blame them for it. If they get the chance, it's not on them.

At the end of the day, it's about hard work. If you don't have talent, no matter what advantages you have, how long can you go on if the audience doesn’t accept you? Hard work matters, and the rules should be the same for everyone — whether you’re from a film family or an outsider.

You mentioned that as an actor, you sometimes don’t get the luxury of time between roles. So how do you switch between characters? For instance, if you’ve played a character like Binny in Crash Course, and then you have to move on to something completely different, how do you transition?

That’s the toughest part about being an actor — especially when you’re constantly jumping between roles without a break. Ideally, after you finish a project, you’d take a break and recharge before moving on to the next one. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, you’re going from one project to the next, and the transition is difficult.

When I’m playing a character, I try to understand how the audience will perceive them. For example, if I’m playing a character who’s unpredictable, like a gangster, I have to project that through my body language and expressions. That can be tough when you’re transitioning from one role to another, especially when they’re polar opposites. But at the end of the day, it’s about drawing on your own experiences and finding the essence of the character within you.

That’s fascinating. And I think that’s what makes your performances so impactful — your ability to connect with your characters on such a deep level. So, Udit, what’s next for you? How do you want to be remembered as an actor?

When I think about legacy, I always think about the impact of films and the stories we tell. Some of the films I saw growing up had a profound effect on me. They shaped who I am today, and I want to create work that resonates with people in the same way.

I want to make a difference, not by changing the world, but by telling stories that matter. Even if people remember just one of my performances, I hope it stays with them and leaves an impression.

Udit Arora: A Household Name

Udit Arora has become a household name because of his versatile performances across both theater and screen. His ability to seamlessly transition between intense, dramatic roles and more subtle, nuanced characters has earned him a loyal fanbase. With a strong presence in both theater and OTT platforms, Udit’s dedication to his craft and the way he deeply connects with his characters – is what we absolutely love about him!

Udit as Jazz Joseph in Agni

Agni, a 2024 film directed by Rahul Dholakia, is a moving tribute to the unsung heroes - the firefighters, showcasing their courage and selflessness. The story revolves around Vithal Rao (Pratik Gandhi), the head of a fire station, who, together with his dedicated team, faces life-threatening situations daily to safeguard lives. As a series of mysterious fires ravage Mumbai’s towering buildings, Vithal teams up with his brother-in-law, Samit Sawant (Divyenndu), a complex police officer with questionable ethics. Their investigation into the arsonist not only tests their professional abilities but also puts a strain on their family bonds.

Udit Arora (Jazz) plays an important role as a firefighter who helps educate children on the importance of the firefighting profession. His character adds a unique layer to the film, highlighting the emotional and societal aspects of the job while reinforcing the sense of community and sacrifice that defines the firefighting profession.

The film was an instant hit and here's how Amul celebrated it.

Udit as Dhiman in Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo

Udit Arora's portrayal of Dhiman in Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo stood out as a deeply nuanced character. Dhiman is a complex, volatile figure, someone with a mysterious and unpredictable nature. As a gangster with a dark, silent demeanor, he embodies traits of a "silent killer," someone who is cold, calculating, and dangerous, yet there are moments where the audience gets a glimpse of vulnerability. His unpredictability and the sense that he could snap at any moment made him a compelling figure.

People loved this character because of the tension and suspense that Dhiman brought to the screen. Udit’s performance highlighted the internal conflict of a man who is difficult to read but whose actions are always intense and impactful. The portrayal of a man grappling with both his violent instincts and hidden emotional layers created a multifaceted character that viewers were drawn to.

Undoubtedly, the unpredictable nature of Dhiman, combined with Udit’s ability to bring depth to a role that could easily have been one-dimensional, made the character memorable and relatable on a human level. His cold, calculating side contrasted with moments of subtle emotion, making him an unforgettable and intriguing character in the series.

What's next for Udit Arora

We'll soon get to watch Udit in The Royals, an upcoming Netflix series that portrays the clash of worlds between an entitled prince and a savvy tech startup entrepreneur. Set against a contemporary fairy tale backdrop, the show explores their intense rivalry, contrasting values, and the intriguing dynamics that unfold between them. The series promises to be an exciting watch, not only for its dramatic storyline but also for its stellar ensemble cast. Featuring notable actors such as Ishaan Khatter, Nora Fatehi, Bhumi Pednekar, Milind Soman, Sakshi Tanwar, Chunky Pandey, Dino Morea, Zeenat Aman, Luke Kenny, Vihaan Samat, Kavya Trehan, Lisa Mishra, and Shrey Arora, the show has definitely piqued our interest.

Written by Garima, the Founder of The Story Bar, this article features an exclusive account of our conversation with Udit Arora. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube for more such stories.