Actor Indresh Malik on his role in TVF's The Pyramid Scheme: Character arc felt new
Actor Indresh Malik said the character arc of Divya Jyoti in TVF's The Pyramid Scheme felt new and exciting, drawing him to the project. The actor also reflected on working in a grounded, middle-class setting and bringing different shades to the complex role.
Actor Indresh Malik, known for Heeramandi and Gangubai Kathiawadi, plays a layered scamster in The Pyramid Scheme, a TVF series that explores financial fraud through the grounded world of small-town, middle-class life. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Malik opened up about what drew him to the show's authentic setting, finding the many shades of Divya Jyoti, working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and filming one of Heeramandi's most-talked-about scenes.
Speaking about what drew him to The Pyramid Scheme, the 41-year-old said the show's rooted storytelling and authentic portrayal of small-town life immediately caught his attention.
"The script beautifully captures the vulnerabilities, the distinct nuances, and the authentic textures of small-town, middle-class life. Stepping into a completely new character archetype within that grounded world felt incredibly exciting and fresh to me," he said.
"For a complex character like Divya Jyoti, the director's comprehensive briefing was my ultimate guide. I was fortunate to have an exceptional creative team that gave me the liberty to improvise and play with different shades," the actor added.
Malik also reflected on the growing popularity of character-driven stories on OTT platforms.
"I absolutely love this evolutionary shift in storytelling, it is an incredibly exciting time to be an actor. Audiences are no longer satisfied with predictable, template-driven content. They want to see real, multi-dimensional human behaviour. As artists, this gives us the canvas to play with different colours, step out of conventional boxes, and explore the true depths of human nature," he said.
Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Having worked with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Heeramandi and Gangubai Kathiawadi, Malik described the experience as a dream for any actor.
"Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir is nothing short of brilliant, it is a true dream come true for any actor. Every single day on his set is a masterclass; I have learned so much just by being in his creative orbit. Beyond the immense learning, I felt incredibly loved, respected, and cherished as an artist by him, which is a feeling I will always hold close to my heart," he said.
He also recalled portraying Ustaad Ji's emotional arc in Heeramandi and credited Bhansali and the team for creating a supportive creative environment.
"When you are working with a maestro like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, you are completely mesmerised by his vision. He bestowed an immense amount of confidence in me, allowing me to improvise, trust my instincts, and truly 'wing it' in the moment. Portraying that level of heartbreak and betrayal was definitely not easy, but it was deeply satisfying as an actor. I humbly bow down to the entire team of Heeramandi for creating an environment where such emotional vulnerability was possible," the actor added.
Speaking about his scenes with Sonakshi Sinha, who played Fareedan, Malik said silence often conveyed more than words.
"At times, what is left unspoken carries far more weight than any dialogue ever could, but executing that silence on screen is a massive challenge. To pull off that kind of depth, you need sensitive, competent, and like-minded co-actors. Sonakshi Sinha, who played Fareedan, was absolutely wonderful and incredibly hardworking. Her commitment and support beautifully complemented our scenes and motivated me to rise to the challenge. It really pushes you to live up to the high expectations of the narrative."
On filming Heeramandi's intimate scene
One of the most discussed moments in Heeramandi was the intimate scene between Malik and Jason Shah. Looking back, the actor said the sequence was approached with the same seriousness as any other important scene.
"I approached it exactly like any other pivotal scene or character portrayal. We sat down as a team and thoroughly discussed what the narrative required. Knowing that Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir was steering the ship gave all of us an immense sense of comfort and security. I felt completely safe and confident with him around, which allowed me to shed any inhibitions, explore the character's depth, and truly spread my wings as an actor," he said.
Malik also spoke about his approach to playing negative characters over the years.
"Honestly, my approach has always been to just go with the flow and completely surrender to the captain of the ship. For me, the vibes on set and absolute honesty in front of the camera matter above everything else. Different projects and different setups require varied energies, so instead of following a rigid formula for negative roles, I try to remain adaptable and let the truth of the character guide me," he added.
Apart from acting, Malik continues to remain deeply connected to fashion and garment design, a field he was associated with before entering the entertainment industry.
"Fashion and garment design are a massive part of my life and a core passion of mine; I am deeply involved in it and love catering to my clientele. Because of this background, I naturally have a strong inclination toward aesthetics. A character's costume plays a highly crucial role for me when it comes to conceptualising and physically stepping into a part. The right attire immediately helps me understand the character's body language, social standing, and state of mind," he said.
Indresh Malik is best known for playing Ustaad Ji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. His performance as the kind-hearted and understanding caretaker of the courtesans' haveli was widely appreciated by audiences. He was also seen in Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi, where he played Govind in a brief but memorable role.
Most recently, the actor appeared in the web series The Pyramid Scheme, which revolves around the world of network marketing and scams.
Actor Indresh Malik, known for Heeramandi and Gangubai Kathiawadi, plays a layered scamster in The Pyramid Scheme, a TVF series that explores financial fraud through the grounded world of small-town, middle-class life. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Malik opened up about what drew him to the show's authentic setting, finding the many shades of Divya Jyoti, working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and filming one of Heeramandi's most-talked-about scenes.
Speaking about what drew him to The Pyramid Scheme, the 41-year-old said the show's rooted storytelling and authentic portrayal of small-town life immediately caught his attention.
"The script beautifully captures the vulnerabilities, the distinct nuances, and the authentic textures of small-town, middle-class life. Stepping into a completely new character archetype within that grounded world felt incredibly exciting and fresh to me," he said.
"For a complex character like Divya Jyoti, the director's comprehensive briefing was my ultimate guide. I was fortunate to have an exceptional creative team that gave me the liberty to improvise and play with different shades," the actor added.
Malik also reflected on the growing popularity of character-driven stories on OTT platforms.
"I absolutely love this evolutionary shift in storytelling, it is an incredibly exciting time to be an actor. Audiences are no longer satisfied with predictable, template-driven content. They want to see real, multi-dimensional human behaviour. As artists, this gives us the canvas to play with different colours, step out of conventional boxes, and explore the true depths of human nature," he said.
Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Having worked with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Heeramandi and Gangubai Kathiawadi, Malik described the experience as a dream for any actor.
"Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir is nothing short of brilliant, it is a true dream come true for any actor. Every single day on his set is a masterclass; I have learned so much just by being in his creative orbit. Beyond the immense learning, I felt incredibly loved, respected, and cherished as an artist by him, which is a feeling I will always hold close to my heart," he said.
He also recalled portraying Ustaad Ji's emotional arc in Heeramandi and credited Bhansali and the team for creating a supportive creative environment.
"When you are working with a maestro like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, you are completely mesmerised by his vision. He bestowed an immense amount of confidence in me, allowing me to improvise, trust my instincts, and truly 'wing it' in the moment. Portraying that level of heartbreak and betrayal was definitely not easy, but it was deeply satisfying as an actor. I humbly bow down to the entire team of Heeramandi for creating an environment where such emotional vulnerability was possible," the actor added.
Speaking about his scenes with Sonakshi Sinha, who played Fareedan, Malik said silence often conveyed more than words.
"At times, what is left unspoken carries far more weight than any dialogue ever could, but executing that silence on screen is a massive challenge. To pull off that kind of depth, you need sensitive, competent, and like-minded co-actors. Sonakshi Sinha, who played Fareedan, was absolutely wonderful and incredibly hardworking. Her commitment and support beautifully complemented our scenes and motivated me to rise to the challenge. It really pushes you to live up to the high expectations of the narrative."
On filming Heeramandi's intimate scene
One of the most discussed moments in Heeramandi was the intimate scene between Malik and Jason Shah. Looking back, the actor said the sequence was approached with the same seriousness as any other important scene.
"I approached it exactly like any other pivotal scene or character portrayal. We sat down as a team and thoroughly discussed what the narrative required. Knowing that Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir was steering the ship gave all of us an immense sense of comfort and security. I felt completely safe and confident with him around, which allowed me to shed any inhibitions, explore the character's depth, and truly spread my wings as an actor," he said.
Malik also spoke about his approach to playing negative characters over the years.
"Honestly, my approach has always been to just go with the flow and completely surrender to the captain of the ship. For me, the vibes on set and absolute honesty in front of the camera matter above everything else. Different projects and different setups require varied energies, so instead of following a rigid formula for negative roles, I try to remain adaptable and let the truth of the character guide me," he added.
Apart from acting, Malik continues to remain deeply connected to fashion and garment design, a field he was associated with before entering the entertainment industry.
"Fashion and garment design are a massive part of my life and a core passion of mine; I am deeply involved in it and love catering to my clientele. Because of this background, I naturally have a strong inclination toward aesthetics. A character's costume plays a highly crucial role for me when it comes to conceptualising and physically stepping into a part. The right attire immediately helps me understand the character's body language, social standing, and state of mind," he said.
Indresh Malik is best known for playing Ustaad Ji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. His performance as the kind-hearted and understanding caretaker of the courtesans' haveli was widely appreciated by audiences. He was also seen in Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi, where he played Govind in a brief but memorable role.
Most recently, the actor appeared in the web series The Pyramid Scheme, which revolves around the world of network marketing and scams.
