Why Playing The Villain Is Hardik Soni's Secret Weapon To Success In Bollywood

Hardik Soni is a small-town boy with big city dreams who carved his niche in the busy entertainment industry. The master of bringing multi-dimensional characters to life, especially the ones with a dark side, has grabbed the attention not only of fans but also filmmakers. We got to sit down with him and speak about his journey, roles, and what's next in line.

I feel thankful every day for what I am doing at the moment. Coming from a small town, it still feels surreal that my work is getting recognised and appreciated," reflected Hardik as we began. The shift from a modest background to the ever-demanding life in Mumbai hasn't been easy, but Hardik's rise indeed is proof of his grit and passion.

His acting career has seen him don several hats, and if he were to switch lives with any of his characters, his answer was fast: "Oh, I wouldn't swap with any of them in real life!" he laughs. "Most of my characters have a negative streak. Hypothetically, though, I think I'd go with Pat-the red hair, tattoos, and all that swag. Yeah, Pat's my guy!"

Why Bad Guys Always Steal the Show

While most actors like to take up heroic roles, Hardik has made a name for himself by portraying anti-heroes. "Negative characters? They leave a mark," he says with a mischievous smile. "Look at Bollywood's classic era-some of the most iconic characters were the villains. They're the ones who challenge you, push you to think, and in some weird way, they become unforgettable."

For Hardik, it is the complexities of these roles that make them fun. "Playing these characters allows me to explore human emotions on a deeper level, and audiences connect with that."

The Magic of Kota Factory

A series that clicked with viewers because it resonated so well with student life was Kota Factory. We asked Hardik to share some behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Kota Factory and, in a flicker, his eyes lit up. "Kota Factory was special. The energy in the city of Kota was something else. Students are living the life which we are portraying on-screen, and when we were shooting, they'd flood the streets just to get a glimpse. It was madness, but best kind.

Hardik also shared the amount of research that went into the making of the show. "The preparation for this show was immense. The makers wanted to make sure every scene, every character was true to life. And we, as actors, were just the vessels to bring that realism on screen."

Pushing Boundaries with 'C.A. Topper'

Another of Hardik's boldest projects has been Tribhuvan Mishra, which has also emerged as one of the most stereotype-breaking series. "When I got the role, I knew it was a risk, but I had nothing to lose. The show was meant to push boundaries, and as an actor, that's what you want-taking roles that challenge you and the audience.

Hardik remembered a scene pretty well and laughed, "We were doing this one scene that was, let me just put it this way, intense, He was sitting on the monitor; wasn't saying 'cut'. We kept going and then we hear him saying, 'This is gold!' You know, the magic of the moment-you'll never know when it's going to happen, but when it does, it's incredible."

Desert Island with Bhanu?

When Hardik was asked the rather entertaining question of which of his characters he'd want to be stuck with on a desert island, he didn't skip a beat. "Bhanu! No question. Bhanu is life-of-the-party material, and if I'm stuck in a desert, I need someone who knows how to have fun.".

It's this playful attitude that endears Hardik to his following: serious about his craft but never taking himself too seriously.

As our conversation turned to the future, Hardik shared his dream of working with some of the industry's biggest names. "If I had to pick a director, it would be Vishal Bhardwaj. The man's a legend. Fingers crossed, right?

For now, audiences can catch him in the upcoming Sony Liv show Black, White and Gray, but Hardik is always on the lookout for his next. "I'm taking my time to find the right roles. I love playing negative characters, but I'm open to exploring new shades—whether it's a positive role or another iconic villain."

Our conversation with Hardik was refreshing, replete with laughter, anecdotes, and something of a real passion for acting. While onscreen he may be dark and twisted, Hardik Soni is off-screen all heart.

As he now looks out at a challenge-filled new future, both good and bad, one thing is certain: Hardik Soni is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and his best is to come.
What's next for Hardik Soni? Well, that remains to be seen-but one thing is sure, we'll be watching.