With due respect, my role has no comparison to Vidyut Jamwal - Tahir Raj Bhasin on playing an antagonist in Force 2

Tahir Raj Bhasin chose an unconventional path to mark his debut in Bollywood -  he played the role of an antagonist in the Rani Mukerji starrer Mardaani (2014). But Tahir took more than two years to star in his second film, Force 2, in which he will be seen stepping into the shoes of a villain, again. In a candid chat with Pinkvilla.com, Tahir spoke about what took him so long to sign his next film and owing to his chocolate boy looks, when will fans see him in a romantic role!

Excerpts from the chat:

After Mardaani, you took 2.5 years to star in your next film. And then too, you chose the role of an antagonist. Why?

I really believe quality over quantity and Mardaani was really well-received. It got me critical acclaim and box-office success, both. It was a few months after Mardaani that the first conversation about Force 2 took place with Vipul Shah (producer ) and Abinay Deo (director.) But great films takes time to make, and this film was a year long schedule. There were times when I would introspect and wonder about my choice. But it was a good decision and when I look at the trailer, I think the wait as an actor has definitely paid off.

Vidyut Jamwal was widely appreciated as a villain in Force. So are you under any kind of expectation-pressure in Force 2?

No, not at all. When I'm doing a part, I'm not coming with any baggage of who did what. I looked at Force 2 as a fresh film. It's a new story and a new director. I knew I will do justice to the part given to me and my role has no comparison to part one, with all due respect to Vidyut.

Many say that you have chocolate boy looks Tahir. Then are you not keen to do the quintessential romantic hero characters? 

I think when you're a new actor in Bollywood, it's about seizing the moment. If you can prove to the audience there is an emotional vulnerability to your character, regardless of it being black or gray, I think the audience will accept you in any role - be it romantic or action. Moreover, I think two films is really a small span to typecast me as an actor. 

John: (interjects) I wonder, why people always look at romantic roles as a 'step-up' from a villainous role!

T: It's disrespectful to any one particular genre or actor to answer that when are you doing your next romantic or action film. I would put all of them at par. As much effort it takes in nailing great comic timing, it takes the same effort to ace any dance step or a romantic dialogue. All of them have their different space. 

J: Just want to add that the antagonist of Force 2 is larger and evolved. In this film ACP Yashvardhan and KK (Sonakshi) are dealing with a tough mind. And we found a far more intelligent performer in Tahir. Honestly, if today I was given a chance to start my career in films, I would do films like Force 2 as an antagonist than playing a romantic hero. It's harder to be hated than loved!

Starring John Abraham and Sonakshi Sinha as leads along with Tahir Raj Bhasin, Force 2 will hit the big screens on November 18, 2016.