Updated On: 12 March, 2025 01:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Durgesh Kumar’s film Laapataa Ladies was India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025. He asserts that his films are praised but critics rarely mention his name while appreciating the project

Durgesh Kumar Pic/Instagram
Actor Durgesh Kumar, who made his debut in films with Imtiaz Ali`s ‘Highway’, starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, and went on to star in projects like ‘Sultan’, ‘Laapataa Ladies’, and ‘Bhakshak’, among others has now revealed that he’s been struggling to find work for the last 1.5 years.
The actor, who is an alumnus of the National School of Drama (NSD), told Times of India, “It has been very tough. People see the success of Panchayat, but the reality is that even after 12 years of work, it’s a struggle. In the last 1.5 years, I haven’t received an audition call from major production houses. I work with smaller producers who recognize my talent...The industry recognizes my work, but I still have to chase casting directors for auditions. Even after Highway and Panchayat, no major production house has offered me a lead role. Everyone knows me, yet I haven’t received any major offers. I continue to audition and get selected for some roles, but it’s unpredictable."