If you’ve seen Netflix’s horror omnibus Ghost Stories you can’t help but notice the young striking actor who plays the lead in the Karan Johar-directed segment.

Avinash Tiwary is no stranger to acclaim. His debut in the film Tu Hai Mera Sunday featured him as a very angry Muslim footballer. Avinash was immediately noticed for his impassioned performance. In 2018 he played the title role in Sajid Ali’s experimental romance Laila Majnu Critics sat up and took note of Avinash’s wild unpredictable interpretation of the legendary lover’s passion.

The young hopeful actor who was born in Bihar but brought up schooled and educated entirely in Mumbai was bitterly disappointed when his performance was not nominated in the best debutant’s category. He took to Twitter to protest.

“What else could I do? My protest was not just personal but on behalf of all the young hopeful actors in Mumbai who are not privileged star kids. I remember once Mrunal Thakur, my co-star in Ghost Stories had won the best debutant’s award in the critics’ category while Janhvi Patel won the same award in the popular category. The minute Janhvi walked in, the media simply turned away from Mrunal mid-sentence and surrounded Janhvi. How do you think that made her feel? Why are we outsiders always made to feel small when compared with star kids?”

In another incident, while promoting Ghost Stories Avinash felt ignored by the media. “They were only interested in Janhvi and Ishan Khatter.”

But Ishaan is not a part of Ghost Stories?! Avinash shrugs. “I’ve no idea why he was there.”

Not that Avinash has anything against Janhvi. “She is part of Ghost Stories. And she had done very well in Zoya Akhtar’s story. My problem is not with the star children who are talented and hardworking. My problem is with the media which doesn’t acknowledge the hard work and good performances of an outsider like me.”

Things have suddenly taken a turn for the better with Karan Johar taking an interest in Avinash’s talent. “I was shooting for the Hindi adaptation of Ribhi Dasgupta’s The Girl In The Train in London when I received a message from Karan. In no time at all, I was shooting in Goa for Ghost stories. I loved my role and I love my segment of Ghost Stories.”

According to reports from Dharma Productions, Karan will soon announce another major project with Avinash Tiwary.

Says the actor, “Whatever the future holds for me I won’t do inconsequential roles. I started my career playing the antagonist in the serial Yudh. But the protagonist was Mr Bachchan. In The Girl On The Train, the main protagonist is Parineeti Chopra. I play her husband and if you’ve seen the original you’d know my character moves the story forward.”

2020 promises to be a turn-around year for Avinash. “The year has started with Ghost Stories which I enjoyed. I love how good Karan Johar makes his characters look.”