Jatin Sarna, widely remembered for his breakout role as Bunty in Netflix’s Sacred Games, finds himself at an interesting crossroads in his career. With projects spanning web series, Bollywood, and now Tamil cinema, he appears to be entering a new phase of growth. Yet beneath the surface of this professional expansion lies a sense of frustration. In a candid conversation, the actor opened up about feeling creatively confined despite his growing visibility and the acclaim he has earned.

A career gaining momentum, but creative stagnation persists

Jatin Sarna has built an impressive résumé across streaming platforms and films, and now he is broadening his presence in south cinema. On paper, it appears to be an exciting period. But for Sarna, something crucial is missing.

Reflecting on the roles being offered to him, he revealed that most scripts mirror characters he has already played. “Every script coming my way has roles which I feel that I have done and delivered,” he said. “It feels like a challenge that writers are not ready to experiment with me. I would be so relieved if directors throw the real task at me to do something that surprises the audience.”

The actor, known for his gritty and intense performances, expressed disappointment that filmmakers still hesitate to take risks with him, limiting his opportunities to evolve. Sarna believes he is fully ready to push boundaries, but without filmmakers willing to explore new possibilities, he cannot demonstrate his full potential.

The hunger to prove himself

Sarna did not hold back when speaking about the broader struggle faced by actors who want to demonstrate versatility. “How do I prove myself if no one wants to take a risk with their stories or believe that I can carry their film on my own?” he asked. “I think this is the biggest challenge for not just me but every actor who is hungry to prove themselves.”

His sentiment reflects a familiar cycle in the industry where actors can become typecast quickly, especially after a breakout role as distinctive as Bunty. While Sacred Games gave Sarna nationwide recognition, it also cemented a specific image of him in the minds of filmmakers—an image he now feels compelled to break out of.

New ventures: working with Madhuri Dixit and expanding into the south

Despite the creative frustration, Sarna’s upcoming projects signal a promising trajectory. He will soon be seen in a new web series alongside Madhuri Dixit, a collaboration he described with excitement. The project, recently wrapped, marks another major step in his streaming career.

Simultaneously, Sarna is making waves in Tamil cinema with his role in Jailer 2 starring Rajinikanth. The involvement of a top-tier south Indian star indicates the confidence major filmmakers are beginning to place in him.

Talking about his entry into Tamil films, Sarna shared his enthusiasm for the challenge. “I am enjoying it to the most and to learn Tamil and speak dialogues is a bigger challenge. Just trying to understand and explore and I am enjoying this journey. I think there is a long way to go.”

The learning curve has been steep, but he sees it as an opportunity to grow as an actor and appeal to a broader audience beyond Hindi-speaking regions.

Adjusting to the distinct culture of Tamil cinema

Sarna acknowledged that transitioning between industries requires adaptability. When asked about the differences between Hindi and Tamil cinema, he identified language as the primary constraint.

“When you are working in Hindi films, I can improvise and do a lot of things,” he explained. “But with south films, I am just learning the language and dialogues, I can’t experiment much.”

He added that the work culture in Tamil cinema is distinct, requiring him to adjust to new rhythms, expectations and processes. Despite the challenges, Sarna sees this as an invaluable experience—one that will enrich his craft.

He noted that audiences in the south have already shown affection for him through his work in Sacred Games. His hope now is that they will appreciate him on the big screen as well. “I am waiting for the south audience to accept me through this film. They have loved me so much through Sacred Games, so hopefully they will love me on big screens as well,” he said.

A turning point filled with questions

Sarna’s reflections reveal the inner conflict many actors face when trying to transition from recognised performances to more diverse and demanding roles. While his career today shows momentum—new projects, established co-stars, and entry into another regional industry—the struggle to secure challenging roles persists. For Sarna, this is not a matter of insecurity but rather a desire to break out of the mould the industry has created for him.

He is eager for filmmakers to trust him with bigger, riskier parts—roles that require transformation, emotional intensity or psychological complexity. He believes that such opportunities would allow him to fully prove himself and redefine how the industry perceives him.

A future filled with possibility

With a strong line-up of projects and increasing cross-industry visibility, Sarna’s journey seems poised for continued upward movement. His willingness to learn a new language, adapt to a new work culture and take on challenging roles demonstrates his commitment to growth, even though he feels constrained by current expectations.

The next phase of his career may well hinge on whether filmmakers choose to see beyond his established persona and offer him roles that tap into his untapped creative reserves. His performances so far indicate that he is ready for more. Whether the industry is prepared to meet him halfway remains to be seen.

If you want, I can also prepare a shorter interview-style version, a profile of Jatin Sarna, or an analysis of how Sacred Games shaped the careers of its cast.