Sumit Gahlawat on Gajab Raat Memes: “I Am Experiencing This for the First Time”; Reveals Hassan MD Release Plans

Actor Sumit Gahlawat is enjoying a new kind of audience attention following the release of Gajab Raat. The actor, who plays ASI Tomar alongside Manoj Bajpayee in the Netflix thriller, says he has been particularly surprised to see social media memes featuring scenes involving his character and Bajpayee's Ajay Nirvit.

In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama, published on November 4, Gahlawat spoke about the response to the film, his experience of working with Bajpayee and the attention being given to even the smallest moments between their characters. He also shared a tentative release update about his upcoming show Hassan MD, which features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Dia Mirza.

Sumit Gahlawat Experiences Meme Culture Around Gajab Raat for the First Time

Gahlawat said the response to Gajab Raat had been overwhelming, with messages continuing to arrive on social media. What particularly surprised him was that viewers were noticing small gestures in his performance, including moments where his character does not even have dialogue.

The actor also revealed that he had come across memes featuring scenes shared by him and Bajpayee. He described the experience as something new for him.

One audience message stood out to Gahlawat: it described Tomar as someone for whom his senior Nirvit is his entire world. Explaining the character's perspective, the actor said Tomar does not question whether his senior is right or wrong; he simply believes that Nirvit is always right.

For Gahlawat, the response indicated that viewers had noticed the relationship between the two police officers, rather than focusing only on the film's central thriller narrative.

Working with Manoj Bajpayee Was a Dream Come True

Sharing the screen with Manoj Bajpayee was a significant moment in Gahlawat's career. He revealed that he had admired the veteran actor since childhood, particularly through films such as Satya, Shool, Gangs of Wasseypur and Raajneeti.

Despite his admiration, Gahlawat admitted that he was nervous before filming their scenes. He worried about making mistakes or causing additional takes for an actor whose work he had followed for years.

However, his experience on the first day of shooting quickly eased those concerns. He described Bajpayee as an easy co-actor who was funny off camera and did not carry a serious attitude on set.

Gahlawat also explained that Bajpayee improvised frequently, which meant he had to listen carefully and respond naturally during their scenes. Instead of approaching Tomar simply as a police officer, he focused on understanding the character's personality and the backstory of his relationship with Nirvit.

That relationship became the foundation for his performance.

Sumit Gahlawat Shares December Release Expectation for Hassan MD

The actor also offered an update on his next project, Hassan MD, featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Dia Mirza.

During the interview, Gahlawat indicated that the show could arrive on JioHotstar in December. His wording was tentative, saying he thought it would release around that time.

As of November 4, an exact premiere date has not been officially confirmed in the material reviewed for this report. The December window should therefore be understood as the actor's expectation rather than a formally announced streaming date.

The project will bring Gahlawat together with two established performers, giving audiences another opportunity to see him in a different screen setting after Gajab Raat.

From The Kerala Story to Gajab Raat

Gahlawat has also built a working association with filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah. He appeared in The Kerala Story (2023), followed by Bastar: The Naxal Story (2024), and returned for The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond (2026).

In the interview, he spoke positively about Shah's supportive working style and the trust involved in being cast repeatedly in his projects. He described the opportunity to perform challenging roles as particularly rewarding.

The Celebrity Hour Take

Gahlawat's experience with Gajab Raat highlights how supporting performances can become part of a film's wider conversation. His character Tomar is not positioned as the central protagonist, but the relationship with Manoj Bajpayee's Nirvit has clearly provided material that viewers have connected with and turned into memes.

The actor's comments also offer a glimpse into the collaborative process behind the scenes. His emphasis on listening, reacting to improvisation and building a character's personal history shows how screen chemistry can emerge from the relationship between performers.

With Hassan MD expected around December according to Gahlawat, the actor could have another prominent project reaching streaming audiences before the year ends.

Sources & Verification

This report is based on Sumit Gahlawat's exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, published November 4, 2026. Netflix's official announcement and catalogue were consulted to verify Gajab Raat's premise and platform details. The December release window for Hassan MD is attributed to Gahlawat's interview and is not presented as an official platform announcement.