Actor and dancer Raghav Juyal has had a career-defining year with two standout projects—'Kill' and 'Gyaarah Gyaarah'—bringing him recognition as an actor after more than a decade in the entertainment industry. However, while he was riding high on the success of these two projects, his latest release, 'Yudhra', failed to make a mark at the box office. In a candid interview, Raghav opened up about his feelings towards this setback and how he views the contrasting outcomes of his recent work.
Success with 'Kill' and 'Gyaarah Gyaarah'
Raghav, who first gained fame as a dancer and television host, has slowly but steadily established himself as an actor. His performance in 'Kill', an action thriller made on a limited set, and 'Gyaarah Gyaarah', a mystery-drama series, was met with positive reviews. Both projects allowed him to showcase his versatility and earned him recognition from audiences and critics alike.
He shares, "This year has been incredible for me. 'Kill' was such a unique film; it was shot in just three train compartments at Filmistan Studio, yet it resonated with people globally. Despite competition from massive releases like Prabhas' 'Kalki 2898 AD' and Akshay Kumar's 'Sarfira,' 'Kill' stood out and became a cult classic. 'Gyaarah Gyaarah' also did really well, and people started seeing me not just as a dancer or a host but as an actor."
The Disappointment of 'Yudhra'
Unfortunately, the momentum took a hit with 'Yudhra', a film that had been in the making for nearly five years, initially announced before the COVID pandemic. When asked if the long delay affected the film's performance, Raghav was quick to dismiss it, believing that the gap wasn't the main issue. "I don’t think the delay had much to do with it. Genuinely, I believe people just didn’t like the film, and that’s why they didn’t show up at the theatres. It’s that simple," he stated.
While some actors may find such a setback disheartening, Raghav has taken it in stride. "If people didn’t like it, they didn’t go to watch it, and that’s okay. There’s no forcing anyone to love a film," he remarked. For him, the failure of 'Yudhra' did not sting as much as it might have if it had been his first major project. "If 'Yudhra' had come out before 'Kill' and 'Gyaarah Gyaarah', I might have been disappointed. But because I had those successes first, I’m happy that people still recognized the actor in me, even in 'Yudhra'."
Moving Forward: Raghav's Journey as an Actor
What stands out in Raghav's journey this year is his newfound identity as a serious actor. After 14 years of working in television and building a career as a dancer, this year marked a turning point for him in the film industry. For Raghav, the success of 'Kill' and 'Gyaarah Gyaarah' has overshadowed the disappointment of 'Yudhra'. Despite its box office failure, the response to his acting in 'Yudhra' has been positive, which helps him maintain confidence moving forward.
The year has also seen him make a significant decision in his career—quitting television to focus entirely on films. Having been a regular face on TV as a host and dancer for years, Raghav is ready to take on the challenges of the film industry full-time.
In reflecting on this decision, Raghav says, "I’ve given a lot to television, but it's time to focus entirely on films. The recognition I’ve received this year has been humbling, and I want to continue growing as an actor."
As Raghav Juyal steps away from television and navigates the ups and downs of the film industry, one thing is clear: he is here to stay. With a mix of both success and failure this year, he has shown resilience and a pragmatic approach to his career. While 'Yudhra' may not have worked out as expected, the success of 'Kill' and 'Gyaarah Gyaarah' has more than made up for it, marking 2023 as a pivotal year in his journey as an actor.
Moving forward, fans can expect to see more of Raghav on the big screen, as he continues to evolve and redefine himself in the world of cinema.