Known for his powerful performances in intense, high-octane angry young man roles, versatile actor Abrar Qazi steps into a completely different light with Zee TV’s latest drama, Tu Hi Re Dil Mein. Playing Sanjay, Abrar trades aggression for an entirely new kind of on-screen strength, one rooted in kindness, patience, and profound humility.
In this exclusive chat with IWMBuzz.com, Abrar opens up about aligning with Sanjay’s moral compass, the creative challenge of building an adaptation from scratch, and the off-screen camaraderie keeping the show’s energy alive.
Read on.
In what ways do you find yourself aligning with Sanjay’s moral compass, and where do you differ most from him in real life?
Sanjay is a very different character. He is probably one of the most humble, kind, and selfless people I have played. In many ways, I connect with him because I also believe in helping people, being respectful, and staying grounded no matter what. Those are values I genuinely relate to.
But where I differ from Sanjay is that he almost seems flawless in how he handles situations. In real life, I think I am still learning every day. I react, I make mistakes, I question things. Sanjay has this rare calmness and purity that I admire, and portraying that honestly has been very interesting for me.
For me, understanding the character from my own perspective and building him layer by layer is very important.
How does it feel to step away from high-octane angry young man roles to play someone whose core strength is humility?
It honestly feels refreshing. I have played intense and high-energy characters before, but Sanjay is very different. His strength doesn’t come from anger or aggression; it comes from kindness, patience, and humility.
And that is actually the biggest challenge as an actor—portraying goodness in a way that feels believable and not artificial. Making people connect with Sanjay and making his simplicity stand out has been something I’ve really enjoyed working on. I have loved playing this character, and I’m enjoying every bit of this journey.
This show is said to be an adaptation. Do you actively watch the original performance for structure, or do you prefer to build your interpretation entirely from scratch?
I personally prefer to build my interpretation from scratch. Even if a show is an adaptation or a remake, I feel every actor should find their own understanding of the character. That’s what creates a genuine connection with the audience.
If you start trying to copy performances or recreate something exactly, you lose the honesty of the process. For me, understanding the character from my own perspective and building him layer by layer is very important. I believe that applies even when actors replace someone in an existing show—you have to bring your own truth to the role.
I hope Sanjay becomes a part of their homes and their everyday conversations.
Your past on-screen pairings have developed massive, dedicated fanbases. What kind of energy have you built with your co-stars, Simran and Priyanshi, to make this central triad compelling?
My bond with Simran and Priyanshi has been amazing. We’ve genuinely been enjoying shooting together, and over time, we’ve built a very comfortable equation. Whenever we are together, there’s a lot of fun—we crack jokes, eat together, and also help each other understand scenes and characters better.
Both of them are wonderful actors and very easy to work with. I think because there is so much comfort and trust off-screen, it naturally reflects in our chemistry on-screen as well. We’ve become a really good trio, and working with people who bring such positive energy is always a pleasure.
What are your expectations from this role?
As an actor, all I can do is give my hundred per cent and play him with complete honesty. I hope the audience connects with Sanjay, accepts him, and gives him the same love they have given to my previous characters. I hope he becomes a part of their homes and their everyday conversations.
At the same time, I’m also looking forward to learning more through this role because with every new twist and turn in the story, there’s something new to explore as an actor.
All the best, Abrar!!
