Abhishek Banerjee Calls Sequels As His FD’s!

Franchises—whether horror‑comedy universes or gritty streaming sagas—are booming in Bollywood, and Abhishek Banerjee has become a memorable presence within that trend. Renowned for standout turns across film and OTT, he’s a familiar face to audiences thanks to two major universes: Maddock’s supernatural world (Stree, Munjya, Bhediya, Stree 2, Thamma) where he plays the beloved Janaa, and Prime Video’s Mirzapur, in which his Compounder returns for Mirzapur: The Movie due in September.

Asked if franchise work ever feels repetitive or limiting, Banerjee gave a pragmatic, humorous reply. “I come from a middle‑class background. I’m happy these franchises are happening — they’re like my fixed deposits. I don’t mind at all. Cast me in as many as you like. Keep paying me and I’ll keep doing my best. Bring it on — three, four, five, I don’t care,” he said.

Having started his career as a casting director and running a casting agency, Banerjee has a grounded view of fame. He balances commercial franchises like Stree 2 with smaller, acclaimed films such as Stolen, always seeking an audience connection.
He shared an example of that connection: “The other day a security guard saw me and said, ‘Mirzapur, Compounder?’ That’s the kind of bond I want with viewers. It’s a long journey, but this is the start. I want people to remember me for my acting, not for anything outside of it.”

Fresh off praise for Stolen and Toaster, Abhishek Banerjee has a packed slate: Legacy with R. Madhavan, Lust Stories 2, Mirzapur: The Movie (with the original cast), Side Heroes with Rakul Preet Singh and Nora Fatehi, Section 84 with Amitabh Bachchan, and a writing collaboration Bollywood Bandar with director Anurag Kashyap.

By Keerti Kadam