Mumbai

Randeep Hooda believes cop characters in films have increasingly become larger-than-life and stereotypical, while OTT storytelling allows for more grounded, layered portrayals of police officers.

Speaking ahead of the release of season two of Inspector Avinash, Hooda said traditional film portrayals of cops often lean toward exaggerated, “caricature-ish” depictions, whereas long-form streaming content gives creators the space to explore a character’s personal life, family relationships, professional pressures, and emotional struggles in greater depth.

According to Hooda, OTT platforms make it possible to present police officers as more relatable human beings rather than just action-driven heroes, adding a stronger sense of realism to the storytelling.

The actor reprises the role of Inspector Avinash Mishra in the second season of the crime thriller, directed by Neerraj Pathak. Set against the turbulent backdrop of 1990s Uttar Pradesh, the new season follows the officer as he navigates a conflict that is both professionally dangerous and personally challenging.

Hooda said playing Avinash Mishra—based on a real-life police officer from Uttar Pradesh—has been one of the most enjoyable roles of his career. He described the character as entertaining, intense, and layered, praising the way the officer balances interactions with his team, family, and criminals.

Having portrayed several real-life personalities in films such as Sarbjit, Rang Rasiya, Main Aur Charles, and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Hooda said playing real people is both easier and more challenging—easier because the character has defined boundaries, but challenging because the performance must feel authentic without slipping into imitation.

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Season two of Inspector Avinash, which also features Urvashi Rautela, Amit Sial, and Abhimanyu Singh, premieres on JioHotstar on Friday.