Munjya Actor Abhay Verma Regrets Rejecting Irrfan Khan’s Angrezi Medium: 'Could Have Gotten A Chance...'

Abhay Verma, currently enjoying the success of his film Munjya, recently revealed that he had turned down a role in Angrezi Medium, the last film of the late Irrfan Khan. The 25-year-old actor, who previously gained attention for his roles in The Family Man, Safed, and Ae Watan Mere Watan, opened up about his decision and the regrets that followed.

Verma shared that his dream to work with filmmaker Dinesh Vijan began after watching the 2012 film Cocktail. He got his first chance to collaborate with Vijan in Munjya, but it wasn't the first opportunity he had. “I got an offer to work in Angrezi Medium, but somehow it didn’t materialise. I regret it a lot as it was Irrfan sir’s last film, and if I could have gotten a chance to just stand next to him even in one frame, it would have been my biggest award,” Verma confessed. He explained that he turned down the role because it was small, and he had been offered a leading role in another film that ultimately never happened.

Reflecting on his past roles, Verma mentioned that despite his impressive performances, none brought him the recognition he is now receiving for Munjya. He reminisced about his positive experience on the set of The Family Man, saying, “I had a major positive takeaway from The Family Man that if you work with honesty for five days in your life, it would get you recognition for 50 years.” However, he was disheartened by the reception of Safed, where he played a transgender character.

Verma's dedication to his role in Safed was evident. He immersed himself in the portrayal, spending months in Varanasi to observe and understand the lives of transgender individuals. “I was so engrossed in that portrayal that on the day of screening, my director came up to me and asked if the boy who played Chandi’s role has arrived or not. I had to tell him that it was me who did that role. He hugged me thrice post that and that was my biggest win,” he shared.