Arjun Rampal on Battling Rana Daggubati in Rana Naidu 2: "I Had to Bulk Up to Match His Presence"

Arjun Rampal is stepping into the shoes of a redoubtable antagonist formerly again, this time for the important-awaited alternate season of Rana Naidu. Known for his important screen presence and memorable unlawful turns in flicks like Om Shanti Om and Ra.One, where it putatively took two Shah Rukh Khans to overpower him, Arjun is all set to challenge Rana Daggubati in this gritty Netflix series. still, in an exclusive discussion with Hindustan Times, the actor candidly revealed that he was the one feeling the pressure this time, particularly when it came to his constitution.

In Rana Naidu season two, Arjun takes on the role of Rauf, a character he describes as both unpredictable and charming. He believes that the key to portraying such complex roles lies in thorough preparation and deep collaboration with the creators. According to him, spending quality time understanding the character’s motivations and nuances with the director, writers, and through personal introspection is essential. Once that groundwork is laid, it allows an actor to truly enjoy and experiment with the role on set. For Arjun, it was crucial to ensure that Rauf had his own belief system, a sense of humor, and an unpredictable streak, making him an intriguing addition to the show’s intense narrative.

A significant challenge for Arjun was matching up physically to Rana Daggubati, whose towering 6′ 3″ frame and assessing screen presence dominate the series. Despite being one of the fittest actors in the assiduity, Arjun admitted feeling comparatively lower coming to Rana. Determined to hold his own in their violent action sequences, he decided to gain weight and add muscle mass. He explained that it was necessary to bridge that physical gap so their competitions would feel balanced and credible on screen. Though he’s known for painlessly slipping into negative places, Arjun confessed that playing antagonists frequently takes a internal risk. Nevertheless, he relished the process of bringing Rauf to life in spite of the emotional pressure. Netflix is currently streaming the show, which also stars Venkatesh, Surveen Chawla, and other actors.