From popular web series Aspirants to Faadu: A Love Story and film Maidaan, Abhilash Thapliyal — once a successful radio jockey — has come a long way, working with many established names along the way. And he is proud of his journey, as he tells indianexpress.com, “You only live once. I just want to give it my all, so that I never have to wonder what if”. With the intent of making it big in the industry, the son of an Army man also wishes to make an impact with his work. Speaking about this and more, the Kennedy actor also opens up about his childhood, being a true mountain dweller, and his fascination with acting, while admitting that “in our industry, working on your muscles often seems more important than working on your craft”. Read more below:Abhilash Thapliyal: I sincerely believe that radio gave me confidence and exposure. There is no one in my family from the entertainment industry, so everything I know has come from experience. From being a voice behind the mic to facing the camera, it’s been a long journey. I’ve been given many tags along the way: a radio jockey, a voice actor, a political satirist, and even a writer because of what I share on social media. But it was Aspirants in 2021 that finally gave me the courage to call myself an actor. After that, the kind of directors I’ve had the privilege to work with only strengthened that belief.ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEOQ: “He has left his job as an RJ to focus on his acting career completely,” reads the media brief about you. What if things do not go as planned?Abhilash Thapliyal: What if it does? I had written something long ago, that ‘Naukriyaan humein pankhon sa bana deti hain, jo button dabane par chalte roz hain, lekin pahunchte kahin nahi’ (jobs make us like fans, which move every day at the press of a button, but reach nowhere). I’ve seen many people around me, in radio and acting, who live with regrets. I don’t want to be that person. When I’m 60, sitting by a sunset, I don’t want to look back and think I didn’t take my shot. As they say, you only live once. I want to give it my all, so that I never have to wonder what if.Q: The entertainment industry can be fierce and competitive. How do you plan to overcome the challenges that may come your way?Abhilash Thapliyal: The industry can indeed be brutal and competitive, but I think it feels that way only when you start comparing your journey with others. I want to be part of stories that move people, that leave an impact. I want my art to have purpose. And when there’s purpose in what you do, the journey becomes more rewarding and far less exhausting. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhilash Thapliyal (@abhilashthapliyal)Q: Despite a considerably short stint, you have worked with specific established names, including Taapsee Pannu, Ajay Devgn, and Gulshan Devaiah. How was the experience of working with each of them?Abhilash Thapliyal: I’ve been very fortunate to work with such seasoned actors and directors in a relatively short span of time. I’m not a trained actor, so every set becomes a learning space for me. The one thing I’ve found common among all of them is their passion for the craft, their discipline, and their preparation before they step onto a set. That, I think, is the common ground: the hunger to keep getting better, no matter how experienced you are.Q: How would you describe Ajay Devgn on set — is he really a prankster, or is he more like work and home?Abhilash Thapliyal: My first experience of shooting with Ajay Devgn was actually back when I was a radio jockey in Delhi. We shot a sketch together. This was when digital sketches were starting to take off in India. It was him, Sonakshi Sinha, and me. Later, I also did a few ad commercials with him. For Maidaan, we didn’t shoot together; our schedules were separate. I’m not even sure if he remembers my name (laughs), but what I truly admire about him is his acting style; it’s minimal, effortless, and his eyes do most of the talking.Q: As an actor, what does your daily diet and workout routine entail?Abhilash Thapliyal: Unfortunately, in our industry, working on your muscles often seems more important than working on your craft. If you don’t look a certain way, you’re rarely seen as a leading man; you’re automatically put in the ‘character actor’ bracket. That’s just the reality of it. For me, I’m an army kid, I’m a Pahadi, I look a certain way, and I’m proud of it. But yes, when you don’t fit the conventional idea of a ‘hero’, the journey becomes a little tougher. Still, I’d rather be real than be replaceable. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhilash Thapliyal (@abhilashthapliyal)Q: Film industry is volatile, which can take a toll on one’s mental health. How do you ensure you prioritise your mental health?Abhilash Thapliyal: In an industry that’s constantly shifting, I prioritise my mental health by staying connected to my roots. I spend time with family, visit Uttarakhand often, and disconnect from the noise whenever I can. Reading, being in nature, having a life beyond work, all of that keeps me grounded. And the biggest reminder I give myself is simple: For work to go on smoothly, the mind and body need to function properly.Q: Tell us a little about your growing-up years and your ultimate goal in life.Abhilash Thapliyal: I’m an Army kid, born in Jammu & Kashmir and raised all across India. Gurdaspur in Punjab, Jaipur in Rajasthan, Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and now Mumbai. I’m from Uttarakhand, a proud ‘pahadi‘ (a mountain dweller), and married to an Odia girl, so in a way, I carry a bit of India wherever I go. I changed schools a lot and made many friends, which helped me become observant of people, accents, dialects, and emotions. That’s what shaped me as an actor. My ultimate goal is simple: to make a positive impact through my craft. If my work can even touch a few lives or start a conversation, I’ll consider it a success.Story continues below this adQ: You are not a trained actor. Has it ever proved to be a hindrance, or think will, especially when it comes to working in commercial cinema under a big banner?Abhilash Thapliyal: What I’ve realised through all the projects I’ve done and the kind of directors I’ve worked with is that you actually learn a lot from life itself. My upbringing has played a significant role in that, even unknowingly. One thing I’ve started doing consciously is going back to film school campuses and collaborating with students. It helps me learn, explore, and stay connected to the basics of the craft. Last year, I worked on a film with students from the National Institute of Design (NID), and this year, it was with students from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). Acting fascinates me deeply, and I want to keep learning, keep unlearning, and keep understanding more about the filmmaking process. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhilash Thapliyal (@abhilashthapliyal)Q: You hail from Uttarakhand. What is the one thing you really miss about home when in Mumbai?Abhilash Thapliyal: Because my father was in the Indian Army, we kept moving from one city to another, so I never really got the chance to stay in Uttarakhand. But now, interestingly, my work has brought me closer to my roots. I shot a film called Blurr in Uttarakhand, with Taapsee and Ajay Bahl directing, and that experience reconnected me with where I truly belong. These days, I make it a point to visit Uttarakhand every two or three months. I’ve also been part of various talk shows and panels, trying in my own small way to bring about some positive change back home. Recently, the Uttarakhand Government recognised me for my contribution in the field of entertainment, and that acknowledgement from my own state has motivated me further.Q: One thing not many people know about you?Abhilash Thapliyal: People have seen me in very different shades on screen, whether it’s the sincere teacher SK in Aspirants, the psycho killer in Blurr, or the drunkard in Faadu. But honestly, I’m nothing like any of them. I’m actually a fun-loving, easy-going guy who loves cracking jokes. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to play those jovial parts, yet maybe that’s the side of me the audience still hasn’t seen.Q: The secret to your success is/will be…Abhilash Thapliyal: Discipline, because I genuinely believe you can question my performance or even my talent, but you can never question my intent. When I’m on set, I’m fully prepared. I give it everything I have. That sincerity and discipline, I think, is what sets me apart.