The talented Arif Zakaria was seen in a memorable role in the recently released web series, Special Ops 2. Not many are aware but here’s an actor who has arguably played the highest number of historical characters from Gandhi to Nehru to Jinnah. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Arif Zakaria spoke about these aspects and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Arif Zakaria talks about creating a RECORD as the ONLY actor to play Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah; also opens up on response to Special Ops 2; calls Haunted one of his most CHERISHED roles
How has been the response to Special Ops 2, especially to your epic entry scene?
The response has been gratifying. The entry scene was memorable and well-conceived by Neeraj Pandey, the director. It set a perfect launch for the story and true to its premise, the story kept going north in terms of thrill, dramatic narrative and character play.
This is the first time Neeraj Pandey has directed you. How was the experience?
The experience was memorable and cherished. Every scene was well conceived, planned and then executed by him and his team. This thriller genre is his speciality, and he knows how to execute complex action scenes at these difficult locations within the specified time. The second season has received a much-heightened response than the first. Also, he is a man of few words but focussed in his approach and craft.
This is the second time you have played a scientist, after War (2019), who gets sucked into the madness of spy and international geopolitics. Did you realize the coincidence?
War was a negative character who betrays his motherland. But Dr Bhargav in Special Ops 2 is a positive character who is a fierce patriot, who refuses to yield to the tactics of the villain and remains steadfast. So, there is a difference, if you chose to see it, as opposed to just giving a broad overall similarity. The only similarity is the word ‘doctor’ in the prefix. Now a surgeon is also a doctor and so is a paediatrician (smiles)!
Has OTT opened more doors for you as an actor?
I consider myself a multimedia performer. Every platform be it stage, TV and films exist side by side. As a performer, it’s my need to perform in these mediums for survival, recognition and commerce. Every such platform opens doors and provides opportunities. I’ve had the good fortune to explore theatre, TV, films and now this. So yes, it has given me another avenue to explore and perform within.
An interesting observation about your filmography is that you have played so many real-life characters. You played Gandhi in the play Dearest Bapu Love Kasturba while you played Jinnah in the web series Freedom At Midnight. You have also essayed Nehru in Hutatma, Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon in Bose: The Forgotten Hero etc. What attracts you to playing historical characters and why do you think you are the go-to person for these roles for filmmakers?
I am not too sure about this whether I’m a go-to person for such roles. I’ve played historical characters over the last few years – Jinnah in Freedom At Midnight (season 1 and 2), Gandhi in Dearest Bapu Love Kasturba, Bhai Mardana in Nanak Shah Fakir, Dhillon in Bose: The Forgotten Hero and Nehru twice over, once in Hutatma and also in War On The Hills. I’m not sure about the reason behind it. These individual filmmakers had faith in my abilities. I guess it’s a little bit of everything which goes into this- the faith in your abilities, the way you look and carry yourself, the voice, tonality and dialogue delivery and demeanour. But overall, it has to be the confidence the filmmaker has in my ability to visualise me in these.
You once revealed in an interview how you were dying to play Gandhi. How do you feel when you see the man being vilified nowadays, especially with supposedly false info? Recently, The Bengal Files showed Gandhi in a negative light; many have noted how he never made the comments shown in the film. Does that sadden you that the man, called Father of the Nation, is being projected in such poor light?
Yes, I always wanted to play Mahatma Gandhi since my college theatre days but couldn’t convert my desire into a concrete reality except on stage in 2020 in the play Dearest Bapu Love Kasturba. Unfortunately, due to COVID and the lockdown, we couldn’t do more than a handful of shows. I hope I get another chance in some format. I haven’t watched the The Bengal Files yet. So, I can’t comment.
Any other real-life character you’d love to play?
Not really, none which come to mind currently.
You have delivered many memorable performances but your role in My Name Is Khan is still remembered. How do you look back at that film and especially that scene between you and Shah Rukh Khan in the mosque?
It was a short, memorable experience which was enriching.
You were extremely terrifying in Haunted! How do you look back at it and will you be back in the next part of Haunted, which releases this year?
Haunted worked because of the unusual storyline, the characters, music and overall vision of the director Vikram Bhatt. It is one of my most cherished roles and I’m glad you still recall it. No, I’m not a part of Haunted 2 as my character ended in part 1.
Please tell us briefly about your forthcoming projects? Very curious to know about Faraar, co-starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Not much is known about it…
Farrar is a thriller where a woman is trapped under mysterious circumstances and her husband sets out to bring her back. I play the role of a lawyer who helps the husband briefly in this journey. Directed by newcomer Khushagra Sharma, the shooting has just finished and it will be released at the end of the year. My other projects are Freedom At Midnight’s Season 2, which will stream from year end, The Diary, directed by debutant Saral Ranawat, Heer Zara Aur Pondicherry, directed by Kartik Choudhury and Ammarg directed by debutant director Meeraq Mirza.
Also Read: Special Ops 2: Karan Tacker assembles a Glock pistol in just 22 seconds in viral BTS video
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