When Ankur Rathee came to Mumbai to build a career as an actor, his biggest fear was that he might not be good enough. But the Indian-American actor has slowly and steadily found his feet in some of the biggest OTT shows in India – Inside Edge, Made In Heaven, City of Dreams, and Four More Shots Please!. We chatted with Ankur about his journey with the three seasons of the Sony LIV show Undekhi and his acting career.

How would you describe your character’s journey with Undekhi over three seasons?

Ankur Rathee: This season, my character, Daman, risks being corrupted by the crime and murder surrounding him. Audiences will meet a more jaded and hardened Daman as opposed to the doe-eyed ‘good boy’ they were introduced to in Season 1. When I was first pitched this show five years ago, creator Siddharth Sengupta told me he saw Daman as a Michael Corleon type character. A prince whose purity is slowly corrupted the longer he stays in his father’s criminal kingdom. And like in The Godfather, an attempt on the don’s life inspires some serious violence in Daman. I have a hunch that Daman’s transformation is far from complete.

What should we expect from Daman Atwal in Undekhi Season 3?

Ankur Rathee: Daman is stuck between his wife and his family. Like numerous men, he believes he can meet the needs of both. Yet despite his earnest efforts, he ultimately falls short, leaving both parties disappointed. Daman’s challenges mirror those faced by many married men, but his dilemmas are intensified by the life-and-death circumstances surrounding him.

What were your takeaways as an actor after playing the same character for three seasons?

Ankur Rathee: It’s an odd phenomenon but I’ve learned the less I try, the easier it becomes. It’s very counterintuitive. You still do a ton of preparation, but when you walk on to the set you allow yourself to forget all the work you’ve done. That way you are present, listening and spontaneous. The character work you have done comes through even though we are not conscious of it.

In what ways do you think Undekhi Season 3 is a step up from the previous seasons?

Ankur Rathee: This season we see a very different Papaji emerging. Dare I say, even a sober one at times! His dark past begins to haunt him and we really see this patriarch unravel. As a result, Rinku (Surya Sharma) and Daman form an alliance to secure the family’s future and vanquish their enemies. But what if your biggest enemy is your own wife? Realising the extent of Teji’s (Anchal Singh) betrayal, Daman is at a breaking point. In some ways, Daman feels abandoned, but on the other hand, he discovers a much darker side to himself. This friction inside him makes Daman very unpredictable.

What challenges did you face while trying to find a break in the film industry?

Ankur Rathee: I am the first professional artist in my family for at least 10 generations. We are a family of farmers. I didn’t have an uncle or a grandfather who had worked in films before. I didn’t know anyone in Mumbai when I came. To me, being an actor seemed like an impossible dream, and that was my biggest obstacle — my fear that I might not be good enough.

How did you get your first break?

Ankur Rathee: By auditioning day after day and failing and sucking until one day I no longer sucked. Eventually, someone thought, ‘Hey, this kid’s not so bad.’ Also by creating goodwill. I did my best to be kind to people and those friends in turn spoke highly of me to others.

Which projects of yours have been instrumental in getting you more work?

Ankur Rathee: Give me Four More Shots Please!. I was very fortunate to ride the initial wave of OTT in India. Doing three Amazon Prime shows – Four More Shots Please!, Made In Heaven and Inside Edge – gave me an international fanbase. Four More Shots Please!, in particular, was such a runaway hit that it put me on the radar for other projects.

Cinema has become more diverse than ever with the cross-pollination of artists as well as international co-productions. As an Indian-American actor, how do you want to capitalise on this?

Ankur Rathee: I already am enjoying working in both countries these days. I'm lucky to be a product of both cultures, and that makes me very adaptable as an actor when it comes to international opportunities. South Asians are making waves in Hollywood like never before, and I hope I can contribute to that momentum.

Your sister (Sonia Rathee) and your wife (Anuja Joshi) are actors. Tell us something about your hustle together as actors.

Ankur Rathee: We learn from each other's mistakes and successes constantly. We see each other as a team, always willing to share our experiences but most importantly our feelings as we navigate a career with so many ups and downs. To have a support system that understands what I'm going through has been so pivotal to my success.

What are your upcoming projects?

Ankur Rathee: I'm working on something in Los Angeles right now, but can't say much else about it. I've also just finished writing my first feature film, so stay tuned to see what comes of that.