Debutant Yuvraj Vijan, who stars as Tony Bhatia in Jigra, has won praise for his impressive performance alongside Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina. In an exclusive conversation with India Today Digital, the actor talked about working with the cast and learning from Alia Bhatt.

Excerpts from the interview:

Has your life changed after Jigra? The film received critical acclaim.

Life has changed a lot, especially professionally. Jigra has given me a solid platform to showcase my work. Having a project like this backed by a powerhouse like Dharma makes a difference in presenting yourself to casting directors. It’s a privilege to have something important to show, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.

Many actors start out with lighter genres like rom-coms. Why did you choose a challenging film like Jigra?

For me, it was an opportunity to learn from the best. The cast and crew of Jigra were incredibly talented and experienced. Sharing the screen with Alia Bhatt and working under Vasan Bala’s direction was a dream come true. I have admired Vasan sir’s work, especially Monica, Oh My Darling. Starting my career with such a film felt like a masterclass and I was eager to take up the challenge.

You had intense scenes with Vedang Raina and others. what was that like?

It was great to collaborate with Vedang and the rest of the artistes. We shared ideas and respected each other’s space before scenes, which gave us a chance to prepare individually. The professionalism and camaraderie on set made it easy to bring emotional gravity to our performances.

Which scene was the most challenging for you?

The street scene where my character’s father dies was particularly intense. It was a one-shot sequence that required multiple takes due to its complexity. Being in that emotional state for a long period of time was challenging but also incredibly rewarding.

What did you learn from experienced actors like Manoj Pahwa?

It was inspiring to see Manoj sir working. His natural flow and ability to immerse himself in the scenes effortlessly is something I want to achieve. I clearly remember one scene where his performance received spontaneous applause from the crew – an unforgettable moment.

Tell us about your experience filming the jailbreak and action sequences. It was fantastic onscreen.

I was doing action for the first time and I loved it. We had a dedicated action team that helped us prepare a day in advance. Vasan sir’s direction was different; He gave us the freedom to interpret the scenes in our own way and provided specific guidance when needed. His calm demeanor established a positive atmosphere on the set, making it an ideal environment for any actor.

How about your brief scenes with Alia Bhatt? Did you learn something special that you would like to emulate in life?

Alia ma’am’s preparation is impeccable. While many of us needed time to get into character, she could seamlessly transition and deliver a flawless performance instantly. I think her preparation is so strong, and she is so well-rounded as an actor that she can navigate between scenes with ease. This is something I would love to emulate sometimes.

Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala, is a gripping emotional thriller that explores the themes of love, sacrifice and redemption. It is now available on Netflix.