Actor Ayush Mehra on playing a Bollywood agent

Long before Ayush Mehra charmed critics with his performance in Netflix’s Call My Agent: Bollywood, he was a heartthrob, in fact, still is, with his rom-com sketches on social media platforms.

Mehra, a Mumbai-born actor, has appeared as a suave college character in several web shows. His latest performance as “Mehershad” in the Indian adaptation of the Emmy-winning French show, Call My Agent: Bollywood, put him off to a flying start.

Helmed by Shaad Ali, who is famous for films like Saathiya, Bunty Aur Babli and OK Jaanu, Call My Agent: Bollywood focuses on the highs and lows of four casting agents in a race to stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry. It stars veteran actors Rajat Kapoor and Soni Razdan, and Aahana Kumra of Lipstick Under my Burkha alongside Mehra.

Working with the cast

And, Mehra was delighted to play alongside Kapoor, one of the many wishes he fulfilled as a “huge Rajat Kapoor fan”.

“It was surreal. In my first scene with Rajat sir, I helped him with his first line and that’s how we became friends,” Mehra recalls in a conversation with City Times. “Shooting with him has always been a dream because he has been such a wonderful performer. All of them are great actors, they were so easy and lovely to work with.”

Call My Agent: Bollywood marks Mehra’s debut on Netflix. It was perfect for Mehra whose role as Mehershad garnered a lot of praise. “It feels great. I could not have asked for a better debut. To be loved in your first project is something you can only hope for, and I’ve got so much love and appreciation for my role that I’m really happy,” he said.

Mehra is well-versed with his character Mehershad, a caring and loving agent as opposed to Amal, played by Kumra. Before Mehra joined an agency, he was his own agent who would negotiate and manage his career schedule. This is why he feels the role of Mehershad was “meant for him”.

husain@khaleejtimes.com