Anup Soni on 6 years of 'Class of 83': Playing a politician across 20 years
Synopsis
Six years after its Netflix premiere, Anup Soni is celebrating 'Class of 83' for a reason most fans may have overlooked — his portrayal of Chief Minister Manohar Patkar across nearly two decades of a politician's life was among the most demanding character arcs in the film, and Soni says it remains one of the most interesting roles he has ever played.
Key Takeaways
Anup Soni marked the sixth anniversary of 'Class of '83' on 21 August 2025 with an Instagram post featuring behind-the-scenes stills.
He played Chief Minister Manohar Patkar , a politician portrayed across a span of nearly 20 years within the film's narrative.
The crime thriller was directed by Atul Sabharwal and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment , starring Bobby Deol in the lead role. 'Class of '83' premiered on Netflix on 21 August 2020 and remains available on the platform.
Soni called the role one of the 'most interesting' of his career, citing the character's evolving look and multi-phase arc.
Actor Anup Soni marked the sixth anniversary of his crime thriller 'Class of '83' on 21 August 2025 by reflecting on what he called one of the most compelling roles of his career — a politician portrayed across nearly two decades of screen time. The Netflix film, which premiered on 21 August 2020, remains a standout entry in the actor's filmography.
What Anup Soni Said
Taking to Instagram, Soni shared a carousel of behind-the-scenes stills alongside a heartfelt note. 'Six years of Class of '83. One of the most interesting roles I have played,' he wrote. The actor, widely recognised for his long-running association with 'Crime Patrol' and the family drama 'Balika Vadhu', credited the film for offering him rare dramatic range.
'This film gave me the chance to play a politician over a period of almost 20 years,' Soni said, adding that he thoroughly enjoyed developing the character's look and navigating the different phases of the politician's life. He extended gratitude to director Atul Sabharwal and the entire production team for making the experience memorable.
About the Film and Its Cast
'Class of '83' is a crime thriller directed by Atul Sabharwal and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment. The film stars Bobby Deol as Additional Director General of Police Vijay Singh, with Geetika Tyagi portraying his wife, Sudha Singh, and Bhupendra Jadawat playing Pramod Shukla. Soni essayed the role of Chief Minister Manohar Patkar — a morally layered character whose arc spans two decades within the narrative.
One of the behind-the-scenes images shared by Soni featured him alongside Bobby Deol, offering fans a glimpse of the camaraderie on set.
Why the Anniversary Resonates
The six-year milestone arrives at a time when OTT anniversary tributes have become a meaningful way for actors to reconnect with audiences and draw renewed attention to catalogue titles. For Soni, the post also serves as a quiet reminder of his versatility beyond the procedural crime-show format he is best known for. Notably, 'Class of '83' was among the early prestige crime thrillers to anchor a major OTT launch window in India.
Where to Watch
Soni personally encouraged fans who have not yet seen the film to stream it on Netflix, where it remains available.
Point of View
'Class of '83' represents a break from the procedural television identity he built over decades — and the fact that he is still talking about it six years later suggests it landed differently for him than a typical supporting role. The more interesting question mainstream coverage skips is whether OTT platforms are doing enough to surface such performances to new audiences, or whether anniversary traction depends entirely on the actor's own social media effort.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Class of '83' and where can it be watched?
'Class of 83' is a crime thriller directed by Atul Sabharwal and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, starring Bobby Deol as a senior police officer. It premiered on Netflix on 21 August 2020 and is currently available to stream on the platform.
What role did Anup Soni play in 'Class of '83'?
Anup Soni played Chief Minister Manohar Patkar, a politician whose character arc spans nearly 20 years within the film. He has described it as one of the most interesting roles of his career.
Why is Anup Soni talking about 'Class of '83' now?
Soni marked the film's sixth anniversary on 21 August 2025 with an Instagram post sharing behind-the-scenes stills and a personal note of gratitude to director Atul Sabharwal and the team.
Who else starred in 'Class of '83'?
The film starred Bobby Deol as Additional Director General of Police Vijay Singh, Geetika Tyagi as his wife Sudha Singh, and Bhupendra Jadawat as Pramod Shukla, alongside Anup Soni as Chief Minister Manohar Patkar.
What is Anup Soni best known for?
Anup Soni is widely recognised as the host of the long-running television series 'Crime Patrol' and for his role in the family drama 'Balika Vadhu'. 'Class of 83' is considered one of his more nuanced film performances.
