Bollywood actor Jaideep Ahlawat, known for his compelling performances in "Paatal Lok", "Raazi", "Raees", and "Jaane Jaan", is gearing up for his next project, the heist thriller "Jewel Thief". Over the years, the actor has built a dedicated fanbase and is often compared to the late actor Irrfan Khan.

In an interview with India Today, Jaideep responded to such comparisons, stating, "I mean, what should I say? It's a very personal feeling. Deep down, there is a huge sense of responsibility in a very surreal way. You also feel very honoured that someone loves your work so much; that in itself becomes a huge responsibility."

"I have to be on my toes and aware of this sense of exploring the art of filmmaking—not just the acting, but the entire process. If I am not exploring, then those who watch my work are not exploring with me (either)," the actor added. 

Described by fans as a worthy torchbearer of Irrfan's cinematic legacy, Jaideep began his Bollywood career with a negative role in Priyadarshan's "Khatta Meetha" in 2010. 

He later appeared in a minor role in "Aakrosh" alongside Ajay Devgn. However, it was Anurag Kashyap's "Gangs of Wasseypur" that marked a turning point in his career. 

He gained widespread recognition for his roles in "Raazi" and "Raees", and later rose to prominence with his portrayal of Hathi Ram Chaudhary in the web series "Paatal Lok", earning critical acclaim.

Irrfan Khan, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 53, left behind a rich legacy of powerful performances in films such as "Paan Singh Tomar", "The Lunchbox", "Life of Pi", and "The Namesake". 

The actor had been battling a neuroendocrine tumour since 2018 and succumbed to a colon infection.

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Jaideep Ahlawat will next be seen in the Netflix film "Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins", directed by Robbie Grewal and Kookie Gulati. The film also stars Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, and Nikita Dutta, and is set to release on April 25.