Freddy Daruwala: Playing a villain is appealing but I want to essay positive roles

Freddy Daruwala shot to instant fame after he entered Bollywood with Akshay Kumar-starrer Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014). Playing the role of the lead antagonist — head of sleeper cells — Freddy redefined the way villains looked on-screen. Later, he went on to play other grey characters in his films, such as, Force 2 (2016), Commando 2 (2017). However, the actor now wants to explore positive roles and is looking forward to playing a lead role soon.

“I want to essay roles where the audience would love me. Playing a villain is appealing, but I would like to play positive characters too. As an actor, I don’t want to restrict myself,” says Freddy, who will once again play the lead antagonist in his upcoming Telugu film, Touch Chesi Chudu.

Meanwhile, the 33-year-old has been signed by filmmaker Vipul Shah for a three-film deal and is looking forward to start shooting for one of them, where he plays a parallel lead alongside actor Saif Ali Khan. A medical drama, the film is an adaptation of the Nicole Kidman-Colin Firth starrer Before I Go to Sleep. However, Freddy is tight-lipped about his role in the film.

“I play a parallel lead in the film and we will start shooting for it in September. I think Vipul will be directing it,” says Freddy, adding that his association with Shah goes a long way. “Having worked together before, he believes in me and is keen on giving me more scope as an actor. He also feels that I can do more. Hence the three film deal, where I’m expected to play different and interesting characters,” says Freddy.