Tanuj Virwani Discusses His Journey and Role in Rana Naidu Season 2

Tanuj Virwani and Karan Anshuman: A Dynamic Duo

The collaboration between Tanuj Virwani and Karan Anshuman dates back to their work on Inside Edge. Their partnership is founded on a strong sense of respect and trust. When Karan's latest project, Rana Naidu, premiered in 2023, Tanuj was thoroughly impressed. He reached out to Karan, expressing his desire for a role, no matter how minor, in the next installment.

Now, as the second season of this action-packed crime drama unfolds, Tanuj steps into the shoes of Chirag Oberoi, a scion of a family business. Faced with a challenging deal, he seeks the expertise of the star fixer, Rana Naidu (played by Rana Daggubati). The central question of Season 2 revolves around whether he will seal the deal or sabotage it.

While actively promoting the series, Tanuj expressed, "I consider it a privilege to be part of Rana Naidu and its remarkable team!"

Tanuj's acting journey began over a decade ago with Luv U Soniyo, leading to roles in films such as Purani Jeans, One Night Stand, Yodha, and Let’s Meet, before he transitioned to the OTT space. His portfolio includes web series like Inside Edge, Code M, Masaba Masaba, The Tattoo Murders, Tandoor, Cartel, and Murshid. He shares, "I am drawn to adventure and have a particular fondness for action and thriller genres."

He believes that both cinema and OTT platforms can thrive together. "Certain narratives are best suited for the big screen, while others don’t fit into a 2-3 hour format," he notes, citing examples like Paatal Lok, Sacred Games, and Mirzapur. However, he emphasizes that his focus as an actor is on the character rather than the medium. Tanuj acknowledges the growing audience for both formats but expresses concern over the potential decline in quality due to the increasing quantity of content. "With new platforms emerging, the demand for content is high," he remarks.

Tanuj approaches his roles with seriousness. He describes himself as an 'amateur writer' and often crafts backstories for his characters, which helps him shape his performance. "It provides me with a framework to navigate my role!" However, he clarifies that he is not pursuing writing seriously at this time, as acting remains his primary passion.

His personal life mirrors the drama of his films. Tanuj and Tanya Jacob, who were family friends, maintained their relationship even after she relocated to Singapore. As the long-distance dynamic became challenging, they opted for a year of cohabitation with their parents' approval. "Being in a relationship is one thing, but living together reveals both the good and the bad sides of each other. This period allowed us to resolve our differences," he explains.

Now, Tanuj's priorities have shifted significantly. As an only child, his life revolved around him, but after marriage, his wife and daughter have taken center stage. "Changes occurred at both conscious and subconscious levels. Every decision I make now heavily involves my family," he shares. He is excited not only about the show but also about celebrating Father’s Day. "I was asking my mother how to make the day special for my dad, and she reminded me that it would be my day too. It struck me – it will be my first!"

Looking ahead, Tanuj has an action project with Applause in the pipeline, along with two films, including Johnny Jumper, where he plays the lead role, and another romantic comedy. "I thought it would be refreshing to explore a love story," he adds.

Rana Naidu Season 2 is set to premiere on June 13 on Netflix.