‘O Saathi Re’: Arjun Rampal Says Imtiaz Ali-Created Series ‘Pulls the Band-Aids Off Wounds’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Arjun Rampal has described Imtiaz Ali as one of the finest writers in the country, praising the filmmaker’s ability to tell deeply human stories. The actor, who stars in Ali’s upcoming Netflix series “O Saathi Re”, says the relationship drama explores emotional wounds that many people may recognise from their own experiences.

Speaking exclusively to Variety India, Rampal says he was drawn to the authenticity of the story and the way it examines relationships. “Imtiaz Ali is one of the finest writers we have. And especially for the genre that he does. And this is a very human story. Very real." 

Describing " O Saathi Re," Arjun Rampal adds, "It pulls the band-aids off wounds which I think a lot of people have suffered in relationships because it's got to do with the math of relationships. I haven't seen the whole thing yet. So I don't know. But while working on it, I had a really, really good time."

Related Stories

Slow Burn At The Box Office: How Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ Let The Audience Do The Talking (EXCLUSIVE)

Imtiaz Ali on Box Office Turnaround of ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’: ‘There Is a Difference Between the Stock Exchange and Film Industry’ (EXCLUSIVE)

“O Saathi Re” stars Rampal alongside Aditi Rao Hydari and Avinash Tiwary. Created, written and produced by Imtiaz, the series is directed by Arif Ali. It follows a couple navigating the emotional complexities of separation and divorce, examining how affection, personal desires and unequal expectations can shape a relationship. The series is set to premiere on Netflix on December 4.

Rampal also spoke about the considerations that guide his choices as an actor, revealing that the people behind a project matter as much as the character he is being offered. “The first thing which I feel is I look to see how much the people are invested into telling the story. You know, how passionate they are about it. I think that's the number one criterion. And the second is, will I be getting along with them for about a year or so? That's a good question to ask,” he said.

The actor added that once those factors fall into place, he looks at the character’s journey and how it can be developed collaboratively. He shares, “If that all is there, then you kind of see the character arc and you obviously develop it and you kind of work on it together as a team. And if they're open to working as a team and, you know, putting it together in the right way, then I kind of commit to it because once I commit to it, then I know I'm absolutely going to surrender myself to the filmmaker to get that vision across,” Rampal said.

With “O Saathi Re”, Rampal joins Ali in a story that places the emotional realities of relationships at its centre. The series also brings together Hydari and Tiwary in the lead ensemble, with its Dec. 4 premiere marking Ali’s return to long-form storytelling for the streamer.