Sai Tamhankar on typecasting: 'Success often boxes you in'

Mumbai: Actress Sai Tamhankar says typecasting in the Hindi film industry is a double-edged sword—while it reflects success, it can also limit an actor’s creative range.

Currently seen in the show Matka King, Sai explained that memorable performances often lead filmmakers to offer similar roles, as they prefer to “play it safe.” While understandable from a casting perspective, she noted that it becomes restrictive for actors trying to explore diverse characters.

Having appeared in films like Love Sonia, Bhakshak, Agni, Ground Zero, Navarasa, and Dabba Cartel, she has consistently sought variety in her work. However, she admitted that rejecting similar roles to avoid being stereotyped is one of the hardest parts of the profession.

According to Sai, saying “no” to work—especially in a competitive industry—is never easy. Over time, she has become more experienced in managing this challenge, though she believes the issue of typecasting still persists.

Despite this, she remains hopeful. Sai pointed out that the industry is gradually evolving, and she expects such rigid patterns to fade with time.

Her latest show Matka King, also featuring Vijay Varma and Kritika Kamra, is set in 1960s Mumbai. It follows the story of a cotton trader who introduces a new gambling game called “Matka” in his quest for legitimacy and respect.

With inputs from IANS