“I knew you would ask me this,” he began.”And this is a very valid question. I have a little problem with this. We did Mirzapur in 2017. After that, for a year or two, every week, I received scripts about UP and crime. I didn’t do them because I got typecast, and it annoys me.”
Massey expressed his concern about how violence has been romanticized in the industry, which distorts the reality. “As creators and storytellers, we need to think out of the box,” he said. “Violence has been romanticized, which is not the absolute reality.”
He also highlighted the positive aspects of shooting in Uttar Pradesh, noting the support filmmakers receive from the government. “The UP government is one of the friendliest shooting governments in the country. They give subsidies, a lot of assistance, and rebates for everything. But despite that, the same stories are being told, and that is a big disappointment.”
TOI Dialogues Varanasi | Unveiling the growth story of Varanasi | Times of India | Uttar Pradesh
Massey emphasized the need for filmmakers to explore different narratives from Uttar Pradesh. “You can’t make inspirational, motivational stories from Uttar Pradesh? Absolutely, you can. Filmmakers should understand this,” he insisted. “I think a lot of people are beginning to realize this. If we bring a small change collectively, it will make a big difference.”
On a more positive note, Massey shared his experiences working with Pankaj Tripathi, his co-actor in both Mirzapur and Criminal Justice. “I have learned a lot from him, not just about acting, but about life,” Massey said. “He is one of the nicest human beings you will meet. His humility strikes you, not because he is successful, but because he is genuinely a good person.”
Massey also revealed how Tripathi’s influence extended beyond their professional relationship. “He inspired me so much that I followed him to Madh Island and became his neighbor. I really look up to him. His contribution to cinema and acting is very significant,” he concluded.
