Actor Zakir Hussain feels an artiste cannot do much to break free from stereotypes because of the cliche format of the film industry.
Hussain, who has often featured in negative or comic roles, got his breakthrough with "Sarkar" and went on to work in films like "Johny Gaddar", "D" and "Saala Khadoos".
"Stereotyping is an issue everywhere and that is because our format is such. There are very few directors who can think or want to think of you in different characters. Others will just stereotype you in a role you've been good at," Hussain told PTI.
"So if you have been good at playing negative character, you will only get offered negative roles. As an actor, I can't break the stereotype. That is in the director's and producer's hand. All I can do is try doing different things within my role," he said.
The "Badlapur" actor feels it is a good time for actors who work in off-beat films, as the audience today is open to diverse range of movies.
"It is a good time for actors like us, this trend should go on so that more actors get the platform to showcase their talent. To get that chance is the most important thing here."
Hussain is all set to feature in Zee TV's show "Ek Maa Jo Laakhon Ke Liye Bani Amma", in the role of a strict Police Commissioner - named KM Dayal.
"The show is different than the regular family dramas. I heard the story and found that the character is very interesting and important in the show.
"Since he is a commissioner who tries hard to maintain peace and keep the underworld in check, there was a challenge in doing that," he said.
The actor, who previously appeared in megastar Amitabh Bachchan starrer TV show "Yudh", says small screen has a particular budgeting in which they try to shoot certain number of episodes in a day, which can get a little taxing.
"TV has limitation of a certain number of scenes per day that have to be shot anyhow. Big films don't have that pressure. There is a particular budgeting which TV has, so they work accordingly.
