EP-259 | Jaideep Ahlawat Unfiltered: Paatal Lok, Nepotism, Haryanvi Roots, South Indian Films & More

Jaideep Ahlawat is a talented Indian actor known for his powerful performances. Born and raised in Rohtak, Haryana, he studied acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). He gained early recognition with films like Aakrosh (2010) and Khatta Meetha (2010), but it was Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) that helped him establish a foothold in the Hindi film industry.

His big breakthrough came with Paatal Lok (2020), where he played Inspector Hathiram Chaudhary. The role won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series and earned him widespread praise.

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jaideep Ahlawat talks about the success of Paatal Lok 2, how his character has evolved, and the transformation he went through for the role. He also opens up about his relationship with his father and how it shaped his life and career.

He shares his experiences working with top directors like Anurag Kashyap and actors such as Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Ranbir Kapoor. He also discusses Bollywood’s reality, including nepotism and the media’s obsession with celebrities’ personal lives.

Jaideep reflects on his career, his favorite directors, and what it was like working with Shah Rukh Khan. He also talks about his interest in South Indian films and the much-awaited The Family Man 3 with Manoj Bajpayee.

00:00 - Introduction

01:41 - Paatal Lok 2 Success

08:13 - Hathi Ram Chaudhary’s Character Explained

11:34 - Jaideep Ahlawat vs. Hathi Ram Chaudhary

12:11 - Relationship with His Father

18:40 - Transformation for Paatal Lok 2

24:07 - Hathi Ram’s Famous Dialogues

28:35 - Real vs. Reel Life

32:40 - Hathi Ram’s Journey Over the Years

34:28 - Viral Photo from FTII Days

38:20 - Anurag Kashyap as a Director

40:44 - Sharing Screen with Kareena, Alia & Ranbir

42:07 - Reality of Bollywood

45:20 - Nepotism

46:57 - Media Focus on Celebrities' Personal Lives

51:42 - Career Path

54:03 - Favorite Directors

55:04 - Working with Shah Rukh Khan

57:43 - Handling Fans

01:04:05 - Unforgettable Experience in Life

01:05:05 - South Indian Movies

01:13:10 - Need for Family Support

01:17:20 - Favorite Actors

01:21:20 - The Family Man 3 with Manoj Bajpayee

01:24:50 - Upcoming Projects