Actor Ankit Mohan has come a long way since making his television debut as a contestant on MTV Roadies Season 4 in 2006. From reality television to becoming a familiar face in Hindi and Marathi entertainment, the actor has built an impressive career through a variety of characters. In a candid conversation, Ankit spoke about whether actors who begin their careers on reality shows face prejudice in the entertainment industry, his approach to choosing roles and whether he would ever consider entering Bigg Boss.
When asked whether he had experienced a different attitude from directors, media professionals or casting teams because he started with a reality show, Ankit said he had never encountered such treatment. “No. I don’t think I’ve experienced what you’re describing. I’ve never heard anyone on any team I’ve worked with speak negatively about someone just because they were a reality TV contestant—unless, of course, they were commenting on the person’s character or nature, which is a different matter. But when it comes to casting, no one has ever rejected someone simply because they came from a reality show,” he explained.
Ankit also shared his perspective on the importance of casting, comparing it to building the framework of a film or television project. According to him, a writer, director and producer each contribute to creating a particular vision, and finding the right actor is essential to bringing that vision to life. He believes that an actor's background should not become a barrier when the person is suitable for a character. Reflecting on his own career, he revealed that he has always wanted to build a diverse collection of roles rather than become associated with just one kind of character. “Throughout my career, I’ve always held a vision—I used to say that I wanted to build a 'wall' where every single brick represents a distinct character I’ve portrayed as an actor. Well, I think all the characters I’ve played so far aren’t exactly similar—it’s like filling up a wall, piece by piece. Touch wood, I hope it keeps filling up—well, maybe not too quickly, but I’d love for the wall to grow larger. And as the wall grows, the ‘house’ grows, too,” he added.
The conversation also turned to the growing popularity of reality television, particularly shows such as Bigg Boss. Having started his career with Roadies, Ankit was asked whether he had ever considered participating in another reality show or had a particular format on his bucket list. The actor revealed that he has followed Bigg Boss closely and has received several offers over the years, including approaches for the Marathi version and a meeting regarding its OTT edition.
“Look, if I were to give a diplomatic answer, I’d say... well, everyone watches Bigg Boss and other reality shows, even if they don’t openly admit it, right? I’ve watched every season, of course. I’ve been approached for the Marathi version almost every year. I even had a meeting once for the OTT version of Bigg Boss. But then, I realized that the path my destiny is taking me down is a different one. So, I shifted my focus—I decided that while I’d love to appear on reality shows, I’d only want to do so to promote my films,” Ankit said.
Since his Roadies days, Ankit has established himself across television, films and web series. His portrayal of Ashwathama in the television series Mahabharat remains one of his most memorable performances. He subsequently appeared in shows such as Kumkum Bhagya, Naagin 3, Kaatelal & Sons, Sasural Genda Phool, Basera, Shobha Somnath Ki and Haiwaan: The Monster.
Ankit also made his Hindi film debut with Pankaj Kapur's Mausam and went on to appear in projects including Crakk and Singham Again. In Marathi cinema, he earned recognition for portraying historical figures in films such as Farzand, Fatteshikast and Pawankhind. He also played gangster Zaheer Bhatkar in the crime series Ek Thi Begum. His journey reflects a career built on exploring different characters and formats, while his latest comments underline his belief that an actor should ultimately be judged by the work and performances they bring to the screen.