Dulquer Salmaan Embarks on a New Journey: From Romantic Hero to Action Star

Dulquer Salmaan, the charismatic actor known for his romantic hero roles, is set to redefine himself and explore new horizons within the realm of cinema. With a career spanning over a decade, which includes notable romantic dramas such as “OK Kanmani,” “Sita Ramam,” and “The Zoya Factor,” Dulquer believes it’s time to let his maturity and age reflect in his choice of roles.

As he celebrated his 37th birthday last month, Dulquer shared his thoughts on the next phase of his acting journey. In the forthcoming decade of his life, he aims to break free from the confines of the “romantic hero” image and venture into the action genre. Expressing his determination, he stated, “I have realized that in this next decade of my life, I can’t survive as a romantic hero. I am turning 40 now, it is time to kick a**. I don’t want to be boxed into any genre or anything. I want to keep pushing myself, and anything that scares me is where I want to be,” Dulquer revealed during an interview with PTI.

Taking a bold step towards this transformation, Dulquer’s upcoming Malayalam film “King on Kotha” casts him as an alcoholic gangster, marking his first major foray into the action-hero category. Directed by Abhilash Joshiy, the movie promises to surprise the audience with its distinct storyline and portrayal.

Addressing his shift towards action-oriented roles, Dulquer acknowledged the challenges posed by this genre, “I have never been known to do action, it is very difficult. There are four-five fights in this movie, but it is also interesting to be in that zone in terms of look and character,” he added.

Beyond the silver screen, Dulquer is all set to make his debut in the world of streaming with the Netflix series “Guns & Gulaabs.” The series is crafted by the creative duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, renowned for their work on “The Family Man.” Scheduled to premiere on Netflix on August 18, this marks an exciting new chapter in Dulquer’s career.

The decision to be a part of “Guns & Gulaabs” was an instantaneous one for Dulquer. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Raj & DK and embrace the long format of storytelling. “I love Raj & DK’s work and the stuff they do. Also, I have been curious about the series’ format as an actor. In the long format, you explore the characters more in detail. I just wanted to understand it,” he explained.

Set in the 1990s, the Hindi series delves into the lives of diverse characters, each with their unique narratives. Dulquer plays the role of Arjun Verma, an honest officer-turned-agent-of-chaos, in a world filled with love, intrigue, and unpredictability. Speaking about his character, Dulquer shared, “The role of Arjun is interesting because he gives an outsider perspective into Gulabganj. I’m playing someone older, he has a family, has a grown-up daughter, he is romantic, he loves film music, and at the same time, he has got this mystery about it. All the characters are unpredictable. There are twists and turns. So, it was an instant yes.”

As Dulquer steps into the shoes of Arjun Verma, he finds himself reminiscing about the 1990s, a decade he considers to be the most impressionable in his life. He emphasized the significance of the era and its influence on the series. “The 90s era is still fresh in our minds. So, that familiarity helped (with the show). We all know that so well,” he shared.

“Guns & Gulaabs” not only features Dulquer but also boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Rajkummar Rao, Adarsh Gourav, Gulshan Devaiah, TJ Bhanu, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Pooja A Gor, and the late Satish Kaushik.

Dulquer Salmaan’s transition from a romantic hero to an action star signifies his commitment to growth and evolution in the world of cinema. As he embarks on new adventures, fans can anticipate a thrilling and transformative journey that showcases his versatility and dedication to his craft. With “King on Kotha” and “Guns & Gulaabs” on the horizon, Dulquer’s multifaceted talents are set to shine on both the big and small screens.

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