New Delhi: Karan Tacker’s story is one of transformation, perseverance, and embracing new challenges. A business graduate who once navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, Karan found his true calling in acting, carving out a remarkable 16-year career in the entertainment industry.
In this candid conversation with News9’s Sakshi Litoriya, Karan opens up about the hurdles he faced, the joys of connecting with fans, his adventurous spirit as a certified sailor, and the humbling experiences working alongside industry stalwarts like Kaykay Menon. He also shares insights into his upcoming projects and the lessons that keep him rooted in an ever-changing world.
Q. From business management to the world of entertainment, how would you describe the journey you’ve travelled?
Ans: My journey has been very pretty. It’s not been easy for sure but it’s been very beautiful nonetheless. Yes, I’m a business student, I finished my marketing and I had a little business with my father, that’s how it all started and the world had recession and my business also plummeted with that and one thing led to another. To cut the story short, I became an actor and it’s been 16 very beautiful years. Since that time and I have nothing but love and gratitude for where I am in my life at the moment.
Q. When we speak of the hurdles & challenges, which specific phase was the most difficult one to manoeuvre?
Ans: When you look back at life, everything in nostalgia just seems very romanticized and beautiful. Now, when I reflect on my tough times, like when my business went through bankruptcy, which was incredibly hard for us as a family to scrape through, or when I took a break from television, those were definitely some of the most challenging periods of my life. But in hindsight, they seem beautiful nonetheless. Even during those difficult moments, with the little we had, life itself still felt meaningful. We stayed together as a family, supported one another, and held on to what truly mattered. Today, with so much love from the audience and a fair amount of success, I genuinely feel that everything unfolded the way it was meant to. It’s turned out quite nicely, and I’m not bitter about any of it at all. If anything, I’m grateful those tough times happened, because I don’t think I would have learned to value life as deeply or take it as seriously as I do today.
Q. You enjoy a massive female fan following. How does that make you feel?
Ans. It’s always a pleasure, truly. I really enjoy it. Honestly, it’s always heartwarming to meet someone who appreciates your work. Even after 16 years, there are still moments during promotions when I find myself wondering, “Why do people want photos with me?” Maybe it’s because I’m an actor and I don’t always see things from the audience’s perspective. But every time someone comes up and says, “I’m a fan,” it feels incredibly humbling and genuinely fascinating. It makes me realize how lucky I am to do something I love, something that started as a hobby, and to receive so much love for it along the way.
Q. Tahir Raj Bhasin recently mentioned that you’re very humble and helpful on the sets. What keeps you grounded?
Ans. I mean, let’s be honest, I’m not a very big celebrity. I’m no Shah Rukh Khan. If people at that level can remain grounded, then someone like me, just a small cog in this massive entertainment industry, has absolutely no reason to get carried away. I genuinely don’t see myself as a celebrity. I believe the moment an actor starts celebrating themselves, that’s the beginning of the end. For me, it’s never been about fame. The truth is, I just love what I do, wholeheartedly. Working with Tahir was also a great experience. He’s a really sweet guy, and since we’re around the same age, we naturally bonded. It’s rare for an antagonist and protagonist to hit it off so well, especially when your very first scene together is hand-to-hand combat! But it was lovely. Also with all honestly, when you’re on a Neeraj Pandey set, the biggest star is the script itself. The content is king, and as actors, we’re all laborers to that vision. We come in fully committed, giving our best to fulfill what he’s imagined.
Q. We missed seeing you in Khakee: The Bengal Chapter. Did you watch it?
Ans. Of course, I binged it the day it dropped. Let me tell you something that not many people—especially the audience—might know. Khakee was always intended to be a one-season, one-story series. From day one, that was the plan. The first season was based on a real person, IPS Amit Lodha, so you can’t just fictionalize someone’s real story just to keep a series going. The intention was always clear: a limited series, telling a complete story. Naturally, I was looking forward to the Bengal chapter because I understood the vision behind how the series would unfold—new chapters, new stories. I totally get where fans like you are coming from, and it’s really touching that people wanted to see me in the second season. But honestly, I feel Season 2 had its own unique charm. I genuinely watched it and loved it. The fact that I binged it says a lot—because I’m not a binger at all. I usually can only do one or two episodes at a time before I need a break to process. Otherwise, I feel like I don’t enjoy it as much. But with this one, I couldn’t stop. I thought Jeet Dada did an amazing job. Prasanjit was fantastic. Adil was also really impressive. The entire show was very well done. And yes, I remember the ending scene of the Bihar chapter, it left a lot of people wondering if they’d see me return in a different avatar. The truth is, I actually did shoot for a day for Season 2. There was something planned. But I think during the edit, it just didn’t feel honest or perhaps didn’t fit tonally, and that’s completely Neeraj Sir’s call. His understanding of storytelling is incredibly sharp. His vision always moves in the right direction. And as an artist, you completely respect and understand where he’s coming from.
Q. You’re a dancer, entrepreneur, an actor, director & you’re a sailor as well, how would you describe your personality as an explorer?
Ans. I used to be a dancer, and sometimes I look back at my Jhalak journey and think, Yaar, maine kaise kar liya? If I had to dance now, I’d probably look ridiculous! I did pretty well back then, but it’s been so long, I’ve definitely started missing dancing. That said, I’ve picked up something new: sailing. It’s been about a year now, and I’m actually a certified sailor. It all started randomly on a trip to Mauritius. They had these small tourist sailboats where you could sail within a limited zone. I tried it, and I was hooked. It’s such a beautiful experience, technical, yes, but also something anyone can pick up. If I can do it, anyone can. I really enjoy my own company and a bit of solitude, and sailing gives me that. Bombay has such a stunning coastline, and sailing here is just incredible. It’s peaceful, and the idea of saying, “I’m heading to Colaba to sail for a few hours,” already feels like something out of a film.
Q. How did life change after Special Ops?
Ans. Oh my God, life has changed drastically. I took a break from television because, as much as it gave me, I felt I had creatively given it all I could. Sure, I could’ve continued, it still offered me love and financial stability, but I wanted to grow. I’d fallen in love with acting all over again and wanted to return only when I found a role that truly excited me. Something I’d be proud to watch myself in. That’s when Special Ops happened, quite serendipitously. I was on holiday in Mussoorie with someone I was dating at the time, and I got a call for an audition. Ironically, I thought, “Auditions in Mussoorie?” This was before self-tests became a norm. I remember finding the best light, in a common hotel bathroom near reception, and shooting my audition there. To my surprise, I got a callback the next day. I didn’t take it too seriously at first, our industry rarely confirms anything after just one test. But I returned to Bombay, gave two more rounds, and eventually met Neeraj Pandey. When I asked if I could go home and tell my family I got the job, he just smiled and said, “If anything happens, you’ll get a call.” That call did come, and life’s been amazing since. Farooq Ali, the character I played, had an arc that unfolded gradually, and I feel like my career mirrored that journey. People were rediscovering me just as the character was finding his place. Then came Khakee, which was widely appreciated. And now we’re onto Special Ops Season 2, with another Amazon show on the way.
Q. Is that true that you performed all your stunts yourself and there were no body doubles?
Ans. Over the last two and a half to three years, I’ve gone through a shift. I realized I was getting too comfortable, maybe even a bit too soft in life. I was celebrating life, yes, but I knew it was time to level up. That’s when I decided to confront every fear I had. One of my biggest fears was heights. I remember shooting a scene in Special Ops Season 1 where Farooq Ali stands on the edge of a 16th-floor building, contemplating suicide. I did that stunt myself. I was terrified, tears in my eyes, literally crouched in fear. But I promised myself: Never again. I knew I needed to be stronger, for myself, for my family. I had to be the backbone. Then came another crazy challenge during Season 2, a stunt on one of the world’s largest dams in Inguri, Georgia. I had casually told Neeraj sir, “Let’s go check it out first.” But the day I saw the setup, I realized what I had agreed to. A 600-foot vertical drop, and unlike most dams, there was no water below due to dry weather. Just sheer drop. I put on the harness, geared up, and for the longest time, couldn’t let go of the ledge. But eventually, I did the stunt myself, and it felt amazing. What made it even more intense was how sudden everything was. The weather turned windy, and without much mental prep, they said, “Let’s do it now before it gets worse.” I got harnessed mid-scene, swung off the dam, and at one point even got stuck halfway while the drone drifted off in the wind. I was hanging there, knees against the wall, with only a wireless connection to Neeraj sir. He asked, “How are you?” I said, “As good as it gets.” We actors are truly blessed, we get to live these incredible experiences that most people never will. I even joked with Neeraj sir once, “Aren’t you afraid your actor might just fall off?” There was no formal training. Just instinct, courage, and a bit of madness. Every stunt in Special Ops, every bit of hand-to-hand combat—you see on screen, I’ve done myself. And now, I actually love it. These challenges have changed me. I’m no longer afraid, I look forward to pushing my limits.
Q. Tell us more about Tanvi: The Great and your experience at Cannes film festival.
Ans. Tanvi the Great happened very unexpectedly, during that same Mauritius trip I mentioned. I got a random call, and my phone flashed “Anupam Kher.” My dad saw it and said, “Wow, Anupam Kher is calling you!” I answered, and he asked where I was. I told him, “I’m on holiday in Mauritius.” I landed back in Mumbai on December 30th, met him soon after, and said yes to the film by January 2nd, right after reading the script. It’s such a heartfelt story. One of the main reasons I signed on was the deep emotional connection Anupam sir has with the subject, it’s based on his real-life niece, Tanvi. That kind of authenticity and love for the material was very moving, and I knew I wanted to be part of it. It’s a small role, but being part of something so meaningful made it incredibly special, especially since Tanvi the Great went to Cannes. I’d always dreamed that if I ever went to that festival, it would be with a film, not just for the red carpet. I’m so glad it happened that way. The response at Cannes was beautiful. The film was appreciated, people connected with it.
Q. What’s next in the pipeline for Karan Tacker?
Ans. I’ve already shot a show this year called Bhay, and it’s based on the life of Gaurav Tiwari, India’s first certified paranormal investigator. He was a truly fascinating figure. Not many know that he led a very short but impactful career in the field of the supernatural, and tragically, he died under mysterious circumstances at a very young age. That’s what makes his story so compelling, and worth telling. It’s a real honor to portray him. I know the industry has long wanted to create something around his life, and I feel very privileged to be the one stepping into his shoes. The show is adapted from a book based on his journey, and it’s not just another horror series, it’s a paranormal drama-thriller that explores his trajectory, his encounters, and his psychological unraveling. What excites me even more is that I get to share the screen with Kalki, who’s incredibly talented. But I’ll admit, I’m nervous. This is very different from anything I’ve done before, and audiences haven’t really seen me in a space like this. As actors, we always hope the character gets accepted before anything else, and with this role, I’m especially anxious to see how it’s received.
Still, that’s what it’s all about, pushing boundaries, taking risks, and doing something different.
Q. How was your experience working alongside Kaykay Menon?
Ans. You know, Kaykay sir and I have technically worked together across two and a half seasons now, because I had a small scene in Special Ops 1.5 as well. But strangely, we’ve never actually shared screen space or been on set together. In the show, all our interactions happen over the phone,he’s part of the India schedule, and I’m in the abroad schedule. So we never met during filming. In fact, the first real time I spent with him was during the promotions for this season. Even that didn’t happen earlier because the first time around, we didn’t have a promotional tour due to COVID. So this has been the first chance to actually hang out with him in person, and it’s been really lovely. Before this, my only interaction with him was after Special Ops season one dropped. A few months into the lockdown, he called me out of the blue and said, “I just watched the show. You’ve done a great job. Handled it really well.” We had never spoken before that. I was really touched. These past few days, I’ve truly enjoyed his company. The way he lives his life, the way he views his career and all the noise that comes with it, it’s inspiring. He’s so detached from the whole idea of PR, the paparazzi culture, or constantly promoting yourself. He’s deeply secure in his work and in his idea of success and happiness. That level of comfort with oneself is something I really admire. It’s rare. And honestly, that’s the space I’d like to reach in life,where you just focus on your work, your people, and nothing more. No need to make it look grander than it is. Just let it be real. I’ve loved spending time with him, and I think that’s not just how an actor should be, but how we all should be, as human beings.