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#KetchupTalks: “I had to unlearn the idea that acting becomes easy once you get the hang of it,” Afnan Fazli

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Piyush Singh
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In a chat with us, Afnan Fazli looks back at the early pressures of the industry, the lessons he picked up on different sets, and the belief about acting he had to let go.

It’s always fascinating watching a young actor find his footing in an industry that rarely slows down for anyone. The early years are often just pressure, doubt, long days on set, and small breakthroughs that slowly start to add up. You enter with instinct and ambition, but somewhere along the way, you begin to sharpen your craft and gradually replace impulse with experience.

Afnan Fazli has been one such actor, and his path so far has been about showing up, doing the work, and letting each experience teach him something new. In his chat with us, he speaks about his experiences in the industry. From finding personal meaning in his role in Real Kashmir FC to working on larger productions like Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, he reflects on the lessons each set brought with it, the people he learned from along the way, and the steady process of growing into his craft while trying to stay grounded. He speaks about growth as something that rarely moves in a straight line. For Afnan, it comes from learning, unlearning, and figuring things out one step at a time.

Also Read: #KetchupTalks: "The exploration of broken people within broken systems is endlessly fascinating to me"- Sudip Sharma

Here's what he shared:

When you look back at your first professional set, what’s something you were completely unprepared for?

What I was completely unprepared for was the sheer pressure of having an entire crew waiting on you to get a scene right. When you’re on a professional set, you suddenly realise that 150 to 200 people are working toward one moment, your scene.

From makeup ensuring continuity, to the hair team matching every detail from the previous shot, to art and direction aligning everything perfectly, everyone is doing their job so the scene can land. Experiencing that for the first time was overwhelming, but also incredibly beautiful. It made me understand the collective effort behind every frame, and that responsibility was something I hadn’t fully imagined before stepping onto a professional set.

What is one belief about acting you’ve had to unlearn since you started working professionally?

I had to unlearn the idea that acting becomes easy once you get the hang of it. I’ve realised that acting is a constant process of digging deeper. You think you’ve reached a certain depth, only to discover there’s so much more beneath the surface.

What makes acting truly fascinating is that you’re constantly learning and unlearning. Sometimes you have to deliberately unlearn skills or experiences you already have because your character doesn’t possess them. It’s about stepping away from yourself, zooming out, and fully stepping into someone else’s shoes. That process of stripping yourself down and rebuilding differently for every character is what I find most beautiful about acting.

Dilshad, from Real Kashmir Football Club, is a character who carries responsibility early while quietly holding on to his love for football. How did you relate to him, and where did you keep a distance?

I related to Dilshad deeply. He’s someone who was burdened with responsibility at a very young age, not by choice but by circumstance, and that’s something I’ve experienced personally. I left home when I was 16 and had to learn everything on my own. Responsibility shaped who I am today, just like it shaped Dilshad.

His love for football mirrored my love for acting. That quiet passion that keeps you going despite everything else, that connection was very real for me. At the same time, the work still lies in building the character’s individual world. Relating helps, but the real effort is in understanding the character beyond yourself and doing the homework required to honour their journey.

As someone from Kashmir, how accurately did Real Kashmir Football Club represent its emotions and social identity?

I feel incredibly privileged to be part of Real Kashmir Football Club. After films like Haider and Hamid, this is one of the few projects that truly represent Kashmir beyond conflict-driven stereotypes. It shows us culturally and socially as real people with real lives. What made it special was our decision to shoot in real locations, downtown streets and real neighbourhoods, instead of just scenic postcards. It feels raw, lived-in, and honest. As a Kashmiri, I can confidently say it’s an accurate and respectful representation of Kashmir in its totality.

Do you think Indian cinema is ready to engage with Kashmir beyond stereotypes?

I believe the conversation is evolving. With platforms opening up and stories like this being told, there’s a visible shift toward realism and authenticity. Indian cinema is slowly acknowledging the need to move away from over-simplified narratives and stereotypes, not just about Kashmir, but about many communities.

It’s a gradual process, but I’m hopeful. The audience is ready for more grounded, truthful stories, and that’s where cinema is heading.

What did you absorb from working with actors like Zeeshan Ayyub and Manav Kaul?

Working with Zeeshan sir was truly inspiring. He’s incredibly natural and precise, so much so that you forget he’s acting. Every take carries the same honesty and intensity, and that comes from years of discipline and experience.

I learned a lot just by watching him work and through conversations off-screen. Observing how seasoned actors approach their craft quietly teaches you more than formal lessons ever could.

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri placed you on a much larger commercial set. How did that shift affect you?

That set was a completely different experience. It was a Dharma production shot in Croatia, with an international crew that had previously worked on projects like Game of Thrones. The coordination, punctuality, and precision were eye-opening.

It gave me a sense of how large-scale productions function globally. Being on a set of that scale teaches you a lot, if you’re willing to observe, listen, and learn.

What did collaborating with Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday teach you?

Working alongside different actors teaches you how to navigate different energies and processes. Every set operates differently, and every actor brings their own rhythm. Being adaptable while staying grounded in your own process is something that experience gradually teaches you.

How aware are you of the gap between who you are becoming and how the industry shapes you?

I’m very aware of it. I’ve seen people change, even people I started out with, and it made me more conscious of staying true to myself. I’m very selective about my circle, and that sometimes gets misunderstood as arrogance, but it’s really about alignment.

I strongly believe that the day you think you’ve learned everything is the day you stop growing. No matter where I go, I want to remain open to learning, even from people younger than me. Growth, curiosity, and humility are things I never want to lose.

After reading this conversation, what’s one belief about your own work or passion that you’ve had to unlearn? Tell us in the comments below! 

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