The Akshay Kumar-starrer, Kesari Chapter 2, has received positive reviews and continues an upward climb at the box office. And actor Taaruk Raina is fervently hoping that it becomes a blockbuster. Reason: The film, set against the backdrop of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919, tells the story of lawyer C Sankaran Nair, who fought against the British crown. Coincidentally, Taaruk played a fictitious lawyer in the web show, The Waking Of A Nation, which released a month ago, and is set against the same backdrop.

He tells us, “Who am I to compare myself to Akshay Kumar? I am just glad that another project has been made on this subject, because when the audience watches it, maybe they’ll check out our show, too. I really hope the success of the film reaches us as well.”

The 30-year-old adds, “That’s not all. We get too engrossed in the business a film does today. We kind of lose track of what cinema can do. I hope Kesari Chapter 2 succeeds also because as a country, we should be deeply aware of what our people have been through for India’s independence.”

Taaruk calls advocate Kantilal Sahni, his character in The Waking Of A Nation, an “opportunity of a lifetime”. “For an actor, nothing beats playing diverse characters showcasing their range. To have someone like Ram (Madhvani, director-producer) sir have that faith in me, felt surreal.”

For Taaruk, playing a lead is “a heightened sense of responsibility”. “I’ve been acting for about 12 years and it has taken me long to even get a chance like this,” he ends.