Jun 10, 2026 8:00pm IST
Abhishek Banerjee on Being Mistaken For ‘Bandar’ Writer Abhishek Banerjee: ‘I actually got calls from studios to write for them’ (EXCLUSIVE)
What’s in a name? For “Stree” and “Mirzapur” actor Abhishek Banerjee, it’s the distinction between being offered an acting role and a writing gig. With the writer for Anurag Kashyap’s latest film, “Bandar”, also named Abhishek Banerjee, the actor has found himself in the midst of a case of mistaken identity.
In an exclusive conversation with Variety India, Banerjee revealed how he has been fielding calls and messages from friends and industry peers who are surprised that he wrote a film.
“The funny part is, my actor friends would never message me for a good performance, but the minute they misunderstood that I have written ‘Bandar’, immediately, they asked, 'Do I have a role in the next film?' They never tell me that, 'Oh, you did something nice!' They don't put a story about my wins. But just because they see a writing credit for me in a film, which is not even me, they start asking for roles! I've actually got some calls from studios, saying, 'Why didn't you write for us? Why did you hide it from us? I'm like, 'What, I don't write!’”
Related Stories
Confusion aside, the “Stolen” actor has worked and is friends with his namesake and would love to see the latter receive all the accolades for his work.
“But let me tell you one thing, Abhishek Banerjee, the writer, is a dear friend,” Banerjee reveals. “We met first when I was casting for ‘Pari’, and he was the writer. I was just a casting director at the time and told him, 'Listen, change your name, because I'm going to be famous, and you're going to really feel the brunt of it.' And he did not listen to me, he took that challenge!”
When asked if he harbors any interest in stepping into his namesake’s shoes and writing someday, Banerjee reveals that he has already attempted it.
“I am a closet writer; it's just that I'm not able to crack a good story. I've been trying. I actually wrote a film many years back, but nothing happened. I think I should revive that film, and I'm working on a few more, but I've still not got that sweet spot. But yes, I do have a knack for writing, I love it.”
Popular on Variety
For now, Abhishek Banerjee is fully committed to upping his acting credits. It’s been a year since his internationally acclaimed “Stolen”. He has “Lust Stories 3” coming out soon on Netflix, where he acts opposite Konkona Sen Sharma. His Tamil debut, “Legacy”, alongside R. Madhavan, promises to be an interesting outing. And there’s also “Mirzapur: The Movie”, in which he plays Compounder, a character much loved by fans.
But he hopes this little confusion turns into a bigger one eventually, when he starts writing too and can challenge Abhishek Banerjee, the writer, professionally.
“Anurag [Kashyap] sir, Sudeep [Sharma] sir, please make this man more famous than me, and the day when I become a writer, I'll probably have a different pen name. Or hopefully one day you will see one Abhishek Banerjee challenging the other Abhishek Banerjee. Then there are going to be two Abhishek Banerjees writing films, and there's going to be a hell lot of confusion!”
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.