'Nobody talks about how people from lower strata think': Jaaved Jaaferi on vegetable vendors as lead characters

Actor Jaaved Jaaferi said his latest film, Inn Galiyon Mein, reflects India's diversity through the story of a young couple from different faiths and lower economic backgrounds. The film, directed by Avinash Das, features Avantika Dassani and Vivaan Shah in lead roles and was released in theatres on Friday.

Jaaferi plays a bridging character

Jaaferi described his character as a "bridge" between two communities in the neighbourhood depicted in the film. "He is a philosopher, a poet. He believes in the foundation of this country, he believes in what the people who fought for this country and died for... The amount of diversity this country has, whether it be culture, dress, music, languages, religion, food, everything. There is no other country with this kind of diversity. This is what this story in a way is trying to say... And it's a young love story of two youngsters who are coming from the lowest strata of society," he told PTI.

Representation of lower economic strata

Jaaferi said mainstream films rarely showcase lead characters from lower-income backgrounds. "It's very unusual to have the lead characters who are vegetable vendors in a gully... Nobody has spoken about these people. How they think, what is their life, what does social media mean to them. How sometimes politics comes and plays with them because they are the lowest common denominator and they can be manipulated in a way..." he said.

Actor embraces diverse roles

Recently seen in web series such as Taaza Khabar season two, Mohrey, and Oops Ab Kya, Jaaferi said he is enjoying working on different projects. "I am blessed to be doing very different kinds of work, including this film... From this side of the spectrum of acting to that side of the spectrum. It's great for an actor to be able to shuttle between this (two spaces)," he added.

Jaaferi will also appear in upcoming films De De Pyaar De Part 2 and Dhamaal 4.

(Inputs from PTI)