Akshay Oberoi on morally grey characters: 'They rarely see themselves as the villain'
Synopsis
Akshay Oberoi's career has been defined by characters who do bad things for reasons they find entirely justified — and with Gajab Raat on the horizon and a slot in Shah Rukh Khan's King confirmed, that brand of morally complex storytelling is about to reach a much larger audience.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Oberoi says morally grey characters fascinate him because 'they rarely see themselves as the villain of their own story.' He stars in the upcoming film Gajab Raat , alongside Manoj Bajpayee , Nushrratt Bharuccha , Divya Dutta , Saqib Saleem , and Kiku Sharda .
Gajab Raat was previously titled Ghooskhor Pandat before being renamed.
Oberoi also played an antagonist in the Yash -starrer Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown Ups .
He is next set to appear in Shah Rukh Khan 's King , co-starring Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan .
Actor Akshay Oberoi, known for his work in morally layered films such as Gurgaon, Flesh, Thar, and Tony, has opened up about his enduring fascination with complex, ethically ambiguous characters — this time ahead of his upcoming film Gajab Raat. According to the actor, the appeal lies not in darkness for its own sake, but in the internal logic that drives such characters.
What Draws Oberoi to the Grey Zone
'What fascinates me about morally grey characters is that they rarely see themselves as the villain of their own story,' Akshay Oberoi said. 'Everyone has their own reasons for doing what they do, and exploring that mindset as an actor is incredibly interesting.'
He added that such roles allow him creative freedom that conventional protagonists do not. 'These roles give me the freedom to experiment with different emotions, contradictions and unexpected traits that may not always be possible with a conventional protagonist. I enjoy playing characters who challenge me as a performer and allow me to discover something new with every project.'
About Gajab Raat and Its Ensemble
Gajab Raat boasts a strong ensemble cast including Nushrratt Bharuccha, Manoj Bajpayee, Divya Dutta, Saqib Saleem, and Kiku Sharda. Manoj Bajpayee plays Ajay Nirvit, a hyper-efficient and corrupt sub-inspector known for running a side-extortion scheme. The film was previously titled Ghooskhor Pandat before being renamed.
A Career Built on Unconventional Choices
Oberoi made his acting debut as a child in the 2002 comedy-drama American Chai, before landing his first leading role in a Rajshri Productions film, Isi Life Mein...!. He subsequently moved to television, taking the lead in Bejoy Nambiar's MTV Rush in 2012. Nambiar, impressed by his performance, went on to cast him in the Tamil remake of suspense thriller Pizza. He later earned wider recognition for his work in Laal Rang and Gurgaon.
More recently, Oberoi played an antagonist in the Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown Ups.
What's Next for Akshay Oberoi
Beyond Gajab Raat, Oberoi will appear in the highly anticipated Shah Rukh Khan-starrer King, which also features Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. The project places him alongside one of Bollywood's biggest marquee names and marks a notable step up in his career trajectory.
Point of View
Indie cinema, and now mainstream commercial projects — reflects a broader shift in Hindi entertainment, where the antagonist has become the most psychologically interesting character on screen. His articulation of why these roles work ('they never see themselves as the villain') is also a useful lens for audiences navigating a content landscape full of anti-heroes. The real question is whether his upcoming slot in King — a big-budget Shah Rukh Khan vehicle — will translate his niche credibility into mainstream recognition, or dilute what makes him compelling in the first place.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Akshay Oberoi said about playing morally grey characters?
Akshay Oberoi has said that morally grey characters fascinate him because they rarely see themselves as the villain of their own story. He added that such roles give him the freedom to explore emotions and contradictions not available in conventional protagonist parts.
What is Gajab Raat and who stars in it?
Gajab Raat is an upcoming film featuring Akshay Oberoi alongside Manoj Bajpayee, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Divya Dutta, Saqib Saleem, and Kiku Sharda. Manoj Bajpayee plays Ajay Nirvit, a corrupt sub-inspector known for running an extortion scheme. The film was previously titled Ghooskhor Pandat.
Which upcoming films is Akshay Oberoi a part of?
Akshay Oberoi will be seen in Gajab Raat and in Shah Rukh Khan's King, which also stars Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan.
What is Akshay Oberoi known for in his career?
Akshay Oberoi is best known for his work in morally complex roles in films and series including Gurgaon, Flesh, Thar, Tony, Laal Rang, and Pizza. He made his debut as a child in the 2002 film American Chai and later starred in Bejoy Nambiar's MTV Rush in 2012.
What role did Akshay Oberoi play in Toxic?
Akshay Oberoi played an antagonist in Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown Ups, the film starring Yash, continuing his pattern of taking on morally complex supporting roles in high-profile projects.
