For Abhishek Banerjee, the cameo he plays in Freedom at Midnight 2 is not about screen time or prominence. It is about memory, respect, and the enduring influence of a master actor. The actor has revealed that his brief appearance in the Nikkhil Advani–directed series is a conscious homage to the late Om Puri, whose performance in Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi (1982) remains a defining moment in Indian cinema.

Abhishek Banerjee says his Freedom at Midnight 2 cameo is a homage to Om Puri

Speaking about the role, Abhishek made it clear that the decision came from a deeply personal place. “Playing this cameo in Freedom at Midnight 2 was never about the size of the role for me. It was about what the role stood for,” he shared. For him, Om Puri was not just an inspiration but a benchmark of integrity and fearlessness as an actor. “Om Puri sahab is someone I have admired immensely – for his craft, his fearlessness, and the dignity he brought to every character, no matter how small or large.”

The character Abhishek portrays subtly mirrors the spirit of a role once played by Om Puri, a choice that adds emotional weight to the cameo. Aware of the legacy he was stepping into, the actor approached it with humility rather than ambition. “Stepping into a space that echoes a role he once played felt like a quiet tribute to his legacy. I still have a long journey ahead before I can even come close to his level of craft, but this remains my heartfelt tribute to him. It’s humbling, honestly,” he said.

Beyond the tribute itself, Abhishek also reflected on what such gestures mean within the film industry. According to him, cameos like these represent a larger spirit of collaboration and respect. “This is the spirit of our industry that I truly believe in – we show up for each other, we honour the work that came before us, and we contribute without always calculating individual gains,” he explained. He added that brief roles often offer actors a unique kind of discipline. “Sometimes, doing a cameo is not about visibility, it’s about being part of a larger story. I genuinely enjoy doing such parts because they keep you sharp; it’s like net practice for an actor. You come in, you focus, you deliver, and you leave, but the learning stays with you.”

Carrying the emotional responsibility of portraying a character associated with Om Puri was not something Abhishek took lightly. He was clear that his intent was never to replicate or replace the late actor. “There can never be a replacement for Om Puri sahab, and I would never see it that way,” he said. “For me, it was about approaching the role with sincerity and restraint, qualities he embodied so effortlessly. Even though it’s a cameo, there’s an emotional weight attached to it, and I wanted to honour that with honesty.”

Freedom at Midnight 2, currently streaming on Sony LIV, continues to chronicle key moments and figures from India’s historical journey through layered storytelling and strong performances. In that larger narrative, Abhishek Banerjee’s cameo emerges as a restrained yet resonant moment — one that quietly connects generations of actors and serves as a reminder that cinema, at its best, remembers those who shaped it before.

Also Read:EXCLUSIVE: Nikkhil Advani SETS a record as Freedom At Midnight and Kal Ho Naa Ho arrive on the same day; explains why he hasn’t worked with Shah Rukh Khan again: “I don’t want to put a DAAG on our 100% track record”

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