Panchayat star Chandan Roy is receiving widespread acclaim for his gripping new short film, Aakhri Ride. In this high-tension Chandan Roy Aakhri Ride venture presented by celebrated indie stalwarts Anurag Kashyap and Vasan Bala, Chandan portrays a beleaguered migrant cab driver pushed to the absolute edge by Mumbai’s unforgiving pace. In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, the actor opened up about his arduous journey from a humble village in Bihar to Bollywood, and why this raw story hit close to home.
Beloved across households as the endearing Vikas in Prime Video’s rural comedy-drama Panchayat, Roy sheds his lovable rustic charm in Aakhri Ride to inhabit Aman Yadav — a cab driver trapped in a terrifying spiral during one fateful night on the streets of Mumbai.
⚡ Fast Snapshot: Chandan Roy on Aakhri Ride
- The Film: Aakhri Ride (23 minutes) — a dark thriller-comedy hybrid exploring urban desperation and fear.
- Presented By: Maverick directors Anurag Kashyap and Vasan Bala.
- The Milestone: Chandan marks nine completed years in Mumbai, maintaining the same beginner’s hunger as day one.
- Platform: Streaming free worldwide on the Oh Short Flips YouTube channel.
What is Aakhri Ride About?
In Aakhri Ride, Chandan Roy plays Aman Yadav, a migrant cab driver hailing from Bihar who arrived in Mumbai dreaming of creating a dignified life for his family. Reality, however, offers little romanticism. Aman barely manages to scrape together daily expenses, while shielding his elderly parents and relatives back home from the harrowing truth of his financial struggle.
The plot follows Aman through one nerve-racking night that pushes his patience, ethics, and survival instincts to the extreme. Blending pulse-pounding thriller elements with eerie horror beats and razor-sharp dark humour, the 23-minute short captures the haunting claustrophobia of nighttime Mumbai cabs.
From a Small Village in Bihar to Journalism
Chandan’s real-life trajectory mirrors the gritty resilience of the characters he embodies. Born and raised in Mahnar, a small village nestled in Bihar, Roy harboured acting ambitions since his early school days. Yet without internet connectivity, mentorship, or institutional support, making inroads into the film fraternity felt like chasing a mirage.
Determined to find an entry point, he chose to study mass communication — a strategic compromise that positioned him near cameras, studio lighting, and industry professionals. Recalling his calculation, Chandan told Hindustan Times:
“I had no money, and one has to do a lot of buttering to the bosses, and I just couldn’t do that.”
Chandan reflected on how people in remote villages had to make life-altering decisions based solely on newspaper clippings pasted on village tea stalls. Looking back across the decade, he considers that courageous leap the smartest choice that small-town boy could have ever made.
Nine Years in Mumbai, Same Energy
Marking an emotional career milestone, Chandan revealed that he has now lived in Mumbai for nine years. While the metropolis has become his second home, his hunger and discipline remain completely untouched by fame.
“Today marks nine years of my time in Mumbai. Believe me, the boy who arrived nine years ago with a small suitcase, I still feel the exact same way today.”
Roy credits his Bihari roots for instilling an unshakeable work ethic. Every morning, he wakes up with the exact same mental clarity: he came to Mumbai to grind, earn his living with honesty, and craft a lasting legacy on screen.
Why Did Chandan Say Yes to Aakhri Ride?
When directors Vijesh Rajan and Yashoda Parthasarthy pitched Aakhri Ride, Chandan was convinced by three factors: the strength of the script, the visionary young directing team, and, above all, the name attached to the project — Anurag Kashyap.
Roy explained his immediate excitement:
“I have been a long-time fan of Anurag sir. So for someone who learned so much from his cinema, if his name gets attached to a film, it’s a huge deal for me.”
The Anurag Kashyap Elevator Moment
During the conversation, Chandan shared a touching memory from his early days of struggling through auditions in Mumbai. Leaving a production office after a gruelling audition, he suddenly spotted Anurag Kashyap waiting for the elevator. At the time, Roy was too overwhelmed and timid to approach him directly.
“He waved his hand. I also said ‘hi’ to him from a distance. I still remember that till today,” Chandan smiled. Years later, life came full circle as the very same indie cinema icon is now backing and presenting his headline film.
Aakhri Ride: Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor | Chandan Roy (as Aman Yadav) |
| Supporting Cast | Aamir Dalvi (Kennedy), Faisal Malik (Panchayat), Dheer Hira |
| Directors | Vijesh Rajan & Yashoda Parthasarthy (Directorial Debut) |
| Presented By | Anurag Kashyap & Vasan Bala |
| Producers | Ranjan Singh, Vishesh Agrawal, Rajan EPK & Anurag Kashyap |
| Production Banners | Navaras Pictures, Plexus Motion Pictures & Flip Films |
| Release Date & Platform | 31 October 2026 on Oh Short Flips (YouTube) |
| Runtime | Approximately 23 minutes |
Festival Journey and Critical Reception
Prior to its digital premiere, Aakhri Ride earned international festival acclaim. It was officially selected as a market pick at the prestigious Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market in France, and was later screened to packed audiences at Montreal’s renowned Fantasia International Film Festival.
Critical reception in India has recognized the distinct tonal ambition. Outlook awarded the film a 2 out of 5 rating while singling out Chandan Roy’s earnest, emotionally anchored lead performance as the film’s standout triumph. Meanwhile, ETV Bharat lauded the film for transcending superficial jump-scares to deliver psychological depth and societal insight.
Where to Watch Aakhri Ride
Audiences can stream the full 23-minute short film Aakhri Ride for free on YouTube via the official Oh Short Flips channel.
Source: Hindustan Times interview with Chandan Roy, November 3, 2026.
Stay tuned to Buzz Originals for exclusive actor interviews, streaming premieres, and breaking Bollywood scoops.