Get a glimpse of the game behind the game as Inside Edge, Amazon Prime Video India’s original web series, releases on July 10. Based on behind-the-scenes action of an IPL-style cricket league, it has Vivek Oberoi, Richa Chadha and Angad Bedi in the lead. Co-produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Media & Entertainment, it is directed by Karan Anshuman. t2 attended the trailer launch of the show centred on Team Mavericks in the Power Play League (PPL) at the YRF Studios in Mumbai.
1. Sarah Jane Dias (Meera Nagpal)
An athlete who turned to a career in sports reporting after an injury. Her connect with Team Mavericks? Vayu, the star player, is an ex-flame.
2. Angad Bedi (Arvind Vashishth)
A former India player, who’s led the Mavericks to back-to-back Power Play League titles. Earnest, old-fashioned and a cricket purist.
3. Tanuj Virwani (Vayu Raghavan)
A star in the making right from his U-19 days. Makes headlines for off-field reasons as much as on-field ones.
4. Richa Chadha (Zarina Malik)
A celebrated actress, now on her way down. Her role as owner of the Mavericks is the only thing that can resurrect her career.
5. Vivek Oberoi (Vikrant Dhawan)
The kingpin, who controls everything behind the scenes... everything dirty. Rumour has it, his role is based on the character of former IPL chairman Lalit Modi.
6. Siddhant Chaturvedi (Prashant Kanaujia)
Caught the eye of the selectors as a teenager bowling 140kmph and was called in to play with the big boys of PPL.
7. Sayani Gupta (Rohini Raghavan)
A cricket lover who came through the ranks and is currently chief analyst for the Mavericks.
Hear it from them...
We caught up with Angad Bedi, the real-life son of a cricket legend, who is playing a reel-life cricketer in Inside Edge, on the sidelines of the launch.
It’s your first web series, did you say yes to it straightaway?
See, the script is brilliant… so whether it’s a web series or a film, I would have done it. The way each character has been etched out, it did require a platform like Amazon Prime Video to take it up. Technically, it’s six or seven films put together.
And your character is bit of an idealist?
My character is Arvind Vashishth. He’s a very earnest boy. He’s played for the country and now he’s leading a PPL team. Cricket is his religion. He gives more than 200 per cent and expects the same out of his players. He’s a firm believer in the sport. He has a vision and wants to implement it through his team.
What was your father’s (Bishan Singh Bedi) reaction when he heard you were going to play a cricketer on screen?
You know, I want to see his reaction after seeing the trailer. I’m going to send him the link. I’m trying to figure out how he’s going to see all 10 episodes. His dream was that I play for the country but that didn’t happen. But then I’m doing films… working with Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan (in Pink), Salman (Khan) bhai in Tiger Zinda Hai... so there are no regrets from my side. I still remember when he came to see Pink, all he said was, “You were not that bad… you were okay! Glad you chose your profession in acting and not in cricket”. I couldn’t be a cricketer in real life but on the reel, I’m getting to be the captain of a team and be an earnest, hard-working guy… so somewhere it balances itself out.
Did you take any cricket tips from him for Inside Edge?
He’s my guru in life… it’s not just about cricket. He’s been my guiding force, my friend. I discuss everything with him. In terms of cricket, I have represented Delhi at Under-16 and Under-19 levels, so I have a certain flair. But it was still a tough series to be a part of because my character is very complex and mature… and I’m not that age right now, or that experienced as an actor to portray it like that. I have taken a risk and hope people gel well with my character. But one thing I’ve taken from my dad is faith. Self-belief, conviction, courage… these are all qualities Arvind Vashishth has. In today’s commercial world, he’s still holding on to his purity.
You are Yuvraj Singh’s buddy... you had tweeted on the occasion of his 300th ODI for India...
Yeah! He retweeted. He’s my best friend! I’m very proud of him. We’ve known each other for 23 years of our lives. His ups and downs… cancer, getting married, back doing well for the country again, having his own fashion brand…. People just love him. I’m very grateful and fortunate to have a friend like him. The experiences he had in life I would never be able to have.
So, how was it working with Mr Bachchan and Salman Khan?
I can’t even believe that! I think I’m extremely lucky. From being born as Bishan Singh Bedi’s son to working with Mr Bachchan then to working with Salman bhai to being a part of Farhan (Akhtar) and Ritesh’s (Sidhwani) Excel Media & Entertainment, I think the gods have been kind.
Just to stand in front of Mr Bachchan and look him in the eye, was a very, very difficult moment for me. But he helped me a lot.... Salman bhai is a very, very soft individual, which people don’t know. He’s always told me one thing, whenever you’re acting with somebody, make sure they shine. If they shine, you shine! Humesha yaad rakhna. He also loves his father (Salim Khan), he told me ‘spend maximum time with your father, you’ll learn a lot’. And he’s a boy’s boy and I like that about him. He’s a cool guy.
Text: Rwitoban Deb
