Vikrant Massey has been on a thriller spree. After Haseen Dillruba, Love Hostel and Forensic, the 35-year-old actor, who brings a special something to every role big and small, awaits the release of Gaslight, which streams on Disney+Hotstar this Friday. The Telegraph chatted with Vikrant on his latest film, what goes into the making of a potent thriller and why he never says 'no' to a fan asking for a selfie.

The trailer of Gaslight has piqued quite a bit of interest...

I really hope we have been able to build enough curiosity around the film. I am very nervous as we approach release day. I am always very, very nervous before the release of any project.

Considering it's been a while in the business, one would have thought that you would have shed some of the pre-release jitters by now...

I am always, always nervous. I am nervous even before an ad of mine comes out (laughs). I always keep thinking, 'Log kya kahenge? Kaisa lagega unko? Will they like it or not?' As actors, our lives depend on what the audience thinks about us. With Gaslight, it's been good so far... people have responded very positively to the teaser, which was in a very fun space, and also to the trailer.

Does the nervousness fuel you?

I do think it's a good thing. I feel that there is no margin for complacency. I feel that if there is this good nervous energy, then one is able to see oneself in a neutral light and see things for what they truly are, good or bad.

What made you want to do Gaslight?

Quite a few things actually. It's always the script first. I don't take script narrations, I read. And a script has to first excite me as a reader. With Gaslight, I had such a ball reading it! It was such a quick read and it has all the elements necessary for a potent thriller. I have also always wanted to collaborate with Pavan Kirpalani, who is the director of the film. Unfortunately, we couldn't work together earlier because of multiple reasons, and when he decided to helm Gaslight, he was kind enough to reach out to me.

It's been a string of back-to-back thrillers — Haseen Dillruba, Love Hostel, Forensic and now Gaslight — from you. Has it been by design?

Actually, in retrospect, I have realised that I have done so many thrillers on the trot. But anyway, there are only eight or nine genres out there to play with. Though it belongs to the same genre, the worlds of all these movies have been miles apart. Now as I speak, I realise that I do have a knack for picking thrillers.

A lot of it also has to do with the audiences because if you go by data, then you will realise that people love watching thrillers. This is a genre which is so engaging, so stimulating and the audience is directly involved in the narrative. That is really, really exciting for me as an actor because my primary goal is to evoke an emotion in the viewer — whatever that emotion may be — and draw them into the story and make them a part of it.

What are the fundamental elements of a good thriller?

It has to be engaging enough to draw in the viewer, as I mentioned. Then there are the other peripherals like the impact of performance, the background music, how one lights up a scene.... To begin with, the foundation that needs to be strong is the quality to engage and stimulate your audience in this space.

What were the biggest challenges of doing Gaslight and what aspects gave you a creative high?

There were a few physical challenges because this is an action thriller. It's a classic whodunit where all the primary characters are suspects and they are also the same people who want to ensure that the mystery gets solved.

The whole film, for me, was one big creative high. I wouldn't have done the film in the first place if it didn't satiate my creative juices. Collaborating with Pavan, Sara (Ali Khan) and Chitrangda (Singh) ma'am... working with a brilliant technical team was such a huge high.

Did you find yourself at the receiving end of Sara's famous sher-o-shayari?

(Laughs) Ya, some days! Some days I thoroughly enjoyed it, some days I was like, 'Oh God! How horrible!' (Laughs) Main uske munh pe bol deta hoon, 'Aapki shayari toh mashallah kamaal hain'.

I love working with her. She's such a fabulous person and so hardworking. I was really surprised to see the number of hours that she puts in... not just in front of the camera, but also preparing to do what she does in front of the camera. I had a great time sharing meals with her, collaborating with her, and brainstorming with her. I have really fond memories of working in Gaslight.

Now that you have firmly established yourself, what kind of work stimulates you as an actor?

A lot of it has to do with what I believe is my purpose. I am just 35 and as of today, I only know bits and pieces of my purpose. One of them is to utilise my privilege and the blessing that has been bestowed upon me to be the voice of the voiceless. While it may not be true for every film that I do, but I do try and reconnect with my purpose. That may be to tell the common man's story, being an agent of change within my limited capacity.... I think it starts with that.

Is there a film-maker in you somewhere?

Of course! I will be directing, but I don't know when. I am really enjoying my time as an actor. God has been kind and I am getting some wonderful stories and roles to be a part of. I write as well. So ya, writing, directing, even producing maybe. Even editing. There is so much that I want to do.

The last time we had spoken, you had mentioned about branching out into the sectors of sociology and education...

I am already doing that... it's a huge passion for me. Getting to know the world outside acting also contributes to my time in front of the camera. I am not a trained actor. Whatever I draw out is from my life. And that's why you will see that my films are closer to reality. I wouldn't want to call myself an anthropologist because it's a very heavy-duty word. And anyway, in terms of its classical definition, I am not an anthropologist. But I do read a lot, I travel and just by the virtue of the nature of my job, I get to meet and interact with all kinds of people. Studying people, studying society, studying different cultures comes naturally to me.

Does working with other actors also act as a source of inspiration?

Oh yes! I learn a lot by simply observing my fellow actors. I can even sit in a coffee shop for hours and just observe strangers and that somehow makes its way subliminally into my acting...

Are you still able to sit in a public space and not be hounded for a selfie every minute?

I love it when people come and ask for selfies! I have worked hard for it... I want that love, I am hungry for that love, I can even say that I am desperate for that love. I enjoy it... I never tell people, 'Nahin abhi nahin'. But yes, I am unable to sit in a public space without being recognised in India as easily as I did even five years ago. But I pack my bags every now and then and wherever I travel, I sit in a coffee shop and spend some time by myself.