Even after carving out a name for himself in the industry, especially with The Kashmir Files’ (TKF, 2022) success at the box office, actor Darshan Kumaar says he is still waiting for makers to take a chance on him with lead roles.

After web series Aashram’s latest season earlier this year, the actor is now gearing up for the next season of The Family Man.

“Having a good producer, who can take your project to the correct channel, a passionate director to shoot it properly, a writer to give a good story, then the right team, and of course, co-stars, makes all the difference to any project. I try to choose work where all these factors exist,” the 38-year-old shares.

While TKF’s success brought him good film offers, Darshan admits that getting the whole package often still poses a challenge.

He says, “Yeh sab karna thoda mushkil ho raha hai. If I had been from within the industry, and I had done projects like The Family Man, NH10 (2015) and Mary Kom (2014), sabne mujhe apne sar aankhon par baitha liya hota. But as an outsider, I am still struggling to meet the big directors. I’ve been in talks with few people. But then the producers are not ready to invest their money on me. They insist on smaller budgets.”

This conundrum is preventing A-list directors from casting Darshan in their projects. “These big directors work on certain big budgets. They want the best writers and technicians. Yeh mere liye mil paana thoda struggle hai,” he says, adding, “Naye directors aur producers ko bhi risk lene mein darr lagta hai. Par agar media aur fans ka pyaar milega, toh producers ko bhi bharosa ho jaayega mujh par.”

To prepare for his role as Satbir, the antagonist in the film, actor Darshan Kumar began closely interacting with people who lived near National Highway 10, and added Haryanvi songs to his playlist.

Anushka Sharma’s character Meera smokes cigarettes in the film. To prepare for the role, the actor started smoking too. However, she kicked the habit the moment the film wrapped.

Rajkummar Rao and Freida Pinto were director Navdeep Singh’s initial picks. Anushka had initially declined the role of Meera, but was convinced to take it on by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap while shooting for Bombay Velvet (2015). Actor Neil Bhoopalam was later cast as Meera’s husband, Arjun.

Anushka refused to have any song-dance or item songs in the film. “Someone suggested we have a typical song-and-dance sequence just before the most critical point. I was told it would be good to pause with a romantic song where the leads get out of the car and start singing. My reaction was a blank expression,” Pinkvilla quoted her as saying.

In 2015, the makers confirmed that the film would get a sequel titled NH12. But there have not been any developments since.

Satish Kaushik passed away last week after suffering a heart attack. Over the past few months, the actor-filmmaker was focused on his upcoming production, Kaagaz 2, starring Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar and him. While some wondered about the social drama’s fate after Kaushik’s demise, mid-day has learnt that the VK Prakash-directed venture is complete, with only the finishing touches remaining.

Like Pankaj Tripathi-starrer Kaagaz (2021), the spiritual sequel too will focus on how the common man’s needs are neglected by the system. With a clerk who loses his child, at the centre of the narrative, the drama will emphasize how the government needs to change its attitude towards human rights. Producer Ratan Jain says that the shoot was wrapped up in Lucknow last November.

“Satish had completed everything, and the post-production is almost over. Since the film was shot in sync sound, dubbing is not required. Background music is done, only mixing is left at this stage. Satish’s nephew Nishant is taking care of things. Our production house has been in the film business for many years. If anything was left, we could have completed it. The movie was largely shot in Lucknow, with a segment filmed at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun,” shares Jain.

The producer reveals that the team is planning a digital release for Kaagaz 2, and has initiated talks in this regard. “We are in talks with an OTT platform. We should get [a streaming partner] in the next two to three months. If someone wants to release it in the next 10 days, I am ready to deliver,” he smiles.

Kaushik planned to turn Kaagaz into a franchise, telling stories that highlight the common man’s socio-economic struggles. When the sequel had gone on floors in Lucknow last July, the actor-producer had spoken to mid-day, sharing his enthusiasm about the project (Satish Kaushik gets real, July 3).

He had said, “Kaagaz is about how a piece of paper can make a difference to someone’s life, where the common man gets neglected by the system and how he gets justice. In Kagaaz 2, I play a poor, self-respecting clerk who loses his child. [The story traces] how Anupam Kher and Darshan Kumaar, who play father and son, [help] me get justice.”

New Delhi: Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid’s disparaging comments over the inclusion of “The Kashmir Files” in the competitive section of the International Film Festival of India that concluded in Goa on Monday triggered a strong backlash with even Israel’s envoy to India, Naor Gilon, calling them “insensitive and presumptuous”.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant, director of the film Vivek Agnihotri and its lead actor Anupam Kher also slammed Lapid, even as the political opposition latched onto Lapid’s remarks, as the chairman of the jury, as validation of their views that the movie was “BJP-backed propaganda”.

As Lapid’s comments ballooned into a political firestorm, the Israeli mission swung into damage-control mode. Ambassador Gilon said Lapid should be “ashamed” of abusing India’s invitation to chair the panel at IFFI and the trust, respect and warm hospitality bestowed on him. He said, “I’m no film expert but I do know that it’s insensitive and presumptuous to speak about historic events before deeply studying them and which are an open wound in India.”

At a joint conference with Kher, Israel consul general Kobbi Shoshani said the film was not propaganda and “carried a very strong message”.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 53rd edition of IFFI, the government’s marquee film festival, Lapid addressed an audience including Union ministers Anurag Thakur and L Murugan, Asha Parekh, Akshay Kumar and Rana Daggubati, and said that he and his fellow jurors were “disturbed and shocked” by the inclusion of “The Kashmir Files” since it was “a propaganda, vulgar movie”.

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New Delhi: With the row over Israeli director Nadav Lapid’s remarks about Kashmir Files turning into a political storm, its ambassador to India, Naon Gilon said that while the friendship between India and Israel is “very strong” and “will survive the damage” inflicted by Lapid’s remarks, the filmmaker should reserve his criticism for the government in Israel.

At the closing ceremony of IFFI, Lapid had said, “There were 15 films in the international competition—the front window of the festival. Fourteen out of them had the cinematic qualities. . . and evoked vivid discussions. We were, all of us, disturbed and shocked by the 15th film—‘The Kashmir Files’—that felt to us like a propaganda, vulgar movie, inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival.”

“I feel totally comfortable to share openly these feelings here with you on stage since the spirit that we felt in the festival can truly accept also a critical discussion, which is essential for art and for life,” he added.

Former Israeli ambassador Daniel Carmon also unequivocally condemned Lapid’s statements. The Israeli director’s comments left the political spectrum divided. Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant said Lapid had misused the IFFI platform to heap insult on the horrors faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community, but was countered by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who backed Lapid’s charge and said ‘The Kashmir Files’ was “propaganda by one party against another”.

“A party and the government were busy with publicity… but the maximum number of killings in Kashmir occurred after this film was released. Kashmiri Pandits and security personnel were killed,” Raut said.

Congress’ Shashi Tharoor waded in, too, saying the inclusion of the film had “embarrassed the nation before the world”. “It is widely known that ‘The Kashmir Files’ . . . has received official and unofficial backing from the ruling party (sic) and its minions in the film establishment, since it serves the purpose of fomenting the Islamophobia that some in the Sangh Parivar are happy to promote,” he said.

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said Lapid’s comments “were on the quality of the film”. “It is obvious for anyone to understand that Nadav Lapid had at no point denied the Kashmiri Pandit exodus or dismissed it,” she said.

The Israeli filmmaker was pilloried and branded a “supporter of Palestine” on social media, and even faced a police complaint against him in Goa for outraging “Hindu sentiments”.

While there were no comments from most of his international juror colleagues, Indian filmmaker Sudipto Sen said Lapid’s remarks were no reflection of the jury’s views. “As jurors, we are assigned to judge the technical, aesthetic quality and socio-cultural relevance of a film. We don’t indulge in any kind of political comments on any film and if it is done, it is completely in a personal capacity,” Sen said.

The filmmaker’s controversial comments exposed the “left vs right” fault-lines and led to questions over his appointment as jury chair at IFFI. There was considerable consternation and dismay among a section of pro-Hindutva handles which questioned the event organizers over their failure to run a thorough background check into Lapid’s well-known “anti-establishment, Palestine-supporting” antecedents, and also the fact that he remains a deeply polarising figure back home.

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The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri said he will quit filmmaking if intellectuals, including Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, are able to prove that events depicted in his film are false. “What’s surprising is how an event organized by the government of India was used to support the narrative of terrorists who want Kashmir’s separation from India and how many Indians living in India used it against the country?” he asked.

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Kashmiri Pandits, whose parents were killed by terrorists in the Valley, lashed out at Lapid for terming The Kashmir Files a “propaganda movie” and “vulgar”. They demanded that Lapid be immediately deported. Vikas Raina, son of Ashok Kumar, who was killed by Hizbul Mujahideen, said, “Does he know my pain? My father was brought down from a bus and sprayed with a volley of bullet. ”

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Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, the jury head of the 53rd IFFI, on Monday, described The Kashmir Files as “propaganda”. At the closing ceremony, Lapid said, “All of us were disturbed and shocked by The Kashmir Files. It felt to us like a propaganda and vulgar movie that was inappropriate for an artistic and competitive section of such a prestigious film festival. ” Lapid’s comments invited reactions from the film’s crew and Israeli officials, among others.

Naor Gilon opposed Lapid’s statement on Twitter, writing that “it’s insensitive and presumptuous to speak about historic events before deeply studying them. . . The connection you make between your criticism of #KashmirFiles and your dislike to what is happening in Israeli politics was quite evident. . . My suggestion. As you vocally did in the past, feel free to use the liberty to sound your criticism of what you dislike in Israel but no need to reflect your frustration on other countries. ”

Lapid’s 2019 film Synonymes (2019) won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, while his 2021 film, Ahed’s Knee, was awarded the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Fest. He’s also been a part of several international film fest juries, including at Cannes and Berlin. A vocal critic of Israel’s current political climate, Lapid once said in an interview, “The Israeli collective soul is a sick soul... It’s not special to Israel. This sickness or nature is characterized by young Israeli men muscular, smiling, who don’t raise any questions. They have a totally dichotomist vision of existence : Us versus all others.”

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Just when it looked like all the controversies around The Kashmir Files had subsided, the film was firmly put back in the jarring spotlight after the jury head of the recently concluded International Film Festival of India (IFFI) deemed it “vulgar”, and an unfit choice for the festival’s competitive section.

Though Israeli director Nadav Lapid claimed that his co-jurors shared his opinion that the film that “disturbed and shocked” them “felt like a propaganda”, co-juror Sudipto Sen distanced himself from the stance. “It is his personal opinion, because, officially, no discussion happened between [the five jurors]. [At the ceremony], while announcing the awards, we were to read our citation from a printed page, which was [presented to] the festival authorities. But, Nadav expressed his own views. We were not consulted,” says Sen, adding that jury members often refrain from political commentary on the shortlisted movies. 

While Sen claims Lapid’s opinions were not shared by others, isn’t his comment as the jury head synonymous with an official statement from the IFFI jury itself? “All our official communication happens with the authorities and then with the press. We don’t make any other comment separately,” he responds, alluding to Lapid’s decision. 

The only Indian on the five-member panel, Sen reveals that the job of jurors is concluded post the official presentation. “After that, if any individual goes on any forum and speaks differently from [what was expressed at] the official presentation, how should the festival own up?”

Speaking at the 53rd edition of IFFI, jury head Lapid described The Kashmir Files as “propaganda” and “vulgar”. In his speech at the closing ceremony, he said he was “disturbed and shocked” to see the film being screened at the film festival. He was subsequently accused of whitewashing Islamist violence and disregarding the plight of Hindus in Kashmir.

Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid is the jury head of the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Via his style of filmmaking, he has also been vocal about his conflicted views of Israel.

The Kashmir Files was one among three Indian films that were part of the Indian Panorama Section at IFFI on November 22, and was competing against 14 other films in the International Competition. The winner takes home the Golden Peacock title. 

As part of the jury, Lapid had no hand in the selection process, and was presented with the 15 films — including The Kashmir Files — at the festival. The winning film was the Spanish offering, I Have Electric Dreams. 

Kamalakannan’s Kurangu Pedal and Anant Mahadevan’s The Storyteller, starring Paresh Rawal, were the other two Indian films on the list.

Apart from Sen and Lapid, the jury comprised American producer Jinko Gotoh, French documentary filmmaker and critic Javier Angulo Barturen, and French editor Pascale Chavance.

Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files, a retelling of the Kashmiri Pandits’ exodus in the ‘90s, showcases the pain and suffering of the community. The narration develops around the protagonist, Krishna, a young college student who sets out to discover the truth about the untimely demise of his parents.

Anupam Kher took to Twitter to share: “No matter how high the height of the lie is, it is always small in comparison to the truth.” In a video clip, he stated that “some individuals find it difficult to come to terms with the truth about Kashmir, and wish to perceive it through a positive lens”.

Darshan Kumaar claimed that the film depicted the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits community, who continue to fight for justice against the brutal acts of terrorism.

Director Vivek Agnihotri also shared his opinions on social media, and added that he would quit filmmaking if anyone could prove that the film was untrue.

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The closing ceremony of the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is making headlines because of a statement made by jury head Nadav Lapid. The Israeli screenwriter criticised the film The Kashmir Files (TKF) that was screened at the festival, saying, “That felt to us like a propaganda, vulgar movie, inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival.” Directed by Vivek Agnihotri, the film is claimed to be a fictional representation of the ’90s exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from Kashmir.

The Israel ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, reacted sharply to Lapid’s comments. He tweeted, “In Indian culture they say that a guest is like God. You have abused in the worst way the Indian invitation to chair the panel of judges at @IFFIGoa as well as the trust, respect and warm hospitality they have bestowed on you.”

Director Sudipto Sen, who was the only Indian member in the jury, took to Twitter to point out the films’ “subjective interpretations”.

Soon after Lapid’s speech surfaced online, social media was abuzz, with people associated with the film or in support of TKF expressing anger towards the comment. In a press conference with Consulate General of Israel, Kobbi Shoshani, actor Anupam Kher, who played the lead role in the film, said, “If he does not like a film, he is most welcome to say it. But if you’re a jury member, you cannot use words like ‘vulgar’ and ‘propaganda’. It’s a vulgar remark by a person who is vulgar and an opportunist.”

Actor Darshan Kumaar, who was also a part of the film, told ANI, “Everyone has their own individual opinions on anything they see and perceive. But one can’t deny the fact is that TKF depicted the actual plight of the Kashmiri Pandit community.”

The film’s producer, Pallavi Joshi, shared on Instagram: “It is unjust and unacceptable to stain one of the finest films of the Indian cinema with vulgar comments that delineate the harsh reality of a segment of our nation.”

In a video shared with us, Agnihotri said, “...Mere liye aashcharyajanak baat ye hai ki Bharat sarkar dwara aayojit Bharat sarkar ke manch pe Kashmir ko Bharat se alag karne wale terrorists ke narrative ko support kiya gaya... Main challenge karta hoon ki The Kashmir Files ke ek shot, ek dialogue ya event ko koi prove kar de, ki yeh poori tarah se satya nahin hai, toh main filmein banana chhod dunga (sic).”

I am angry at people who appointed him as the jury head. This man has lowered the level and insulted IFFI. The seriousness of the festival is questionable now.

I was totally flummoxed by the comment. There was a pre-selection jury, before it came to the international selection jury. To single out one film and make such comments was a shock. It puts the whole concept of independent cinema in the dock. On the one hand, you talk about creative freedom and independence of cinema. But when such incidents occur, the independence of cinema takes a beating. When we see a film, we may creatively disagree with it, but we never compromise on the process of jury selection.

I am very proud of Pallavi (Joshi; producer-actor), Vivek (Agnihotri; director-producer) and the entire team — Kher saab, Mithun da (Mithun Chakraborty) and Darshan Kumaar. We don’t even need to talk much about this. The world is talking about it. A Rs. 15 crores film did a business of Rs. 350 crores!

After his lauded portrayal of former scientist and aerospace engineer Nambi Narayanan in the biographical drama, 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect', R Madhavan is gearing up for his next, 'Dhokha Round D Corner', which sees him as a husband. Directed by Kookie Gulati, the film also stars Khushalii Kumar, Aparshakti Khurana and Darshan Kumaar, and releases on September 23.

Based on an urban couple—played by Madhavan and Khushalii—whose lives get upturned when a terrorist (played by Khurana) enters their home. The trio then interact with a cop (Darshan), who helps the husband rescue his wife. 

Highlighting the filming of a crucial scene, Gulati says, “It was a four-page scene involving Darshan, and was lengthy, continuous, and dramatic. I thought I would end up filming it for two days, with several breaks. We finished that scene in a single take. We have used that shot—where Maddy sir and Darshan confront each other. When Maddy sir hears that his wife is trapped in the apartment, he has an emotional breakdown. You get to see how vulnerable he is. Both these actors were amazing and that moment was so special that the entire crew clapped for 10 minutes after it got over.”

Calling this shot one of his best work,  he adds, “The speed at which they worked, and their chemistry, were  magical.  As a director, it is rare to be surprised, because we are in control of things, but when your actors surprise you, the feeling is unmatched. We had 44 days to shoot, but we finished it in 29 days.”

Considering Madhavan is picky about his scripts, Gulati says he felt validated when the actor gave his nod to the film.

R Madhavan dedicated the last many months to Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, the biopic on former ISRO scientist S Nambi Narayanan. However, he juggled the film with the shoot of his next, Dhokha Round D Corner that revolves around an urban couple. Giving finishing touches to the film, director Kookie Gulati says he has explored his favourite genre — psychological thrillers. 

“It tells the story of a couple, played by Madhavan and Khushalii Kumar, whose lives change in the course of a day. Aparshakti Khurana plays a terrorist who enters their home, and the film traces how their lives become intertwined. The movie is about how we perceive certain things, when the reality could be [different]. It revolves around mind games,” says Gulati, who helmed The Big Bull last year.

Dhokha Round D Corner, which also stars Darshan Kumaar and is backed by Ajay Devgn’s cousins Dharmendra and Vikrant Sharma, is lined up for a September release.

For the project, Madhavan was the director’s first choice. Gulati reveals that the two had been in talks for long. “He had liked the story. He and Khushalii were to do another film for Bhushan Kumar, which didn’t happen. So, I got those dates. Madhavan’s professionalism makes him a class apart. We completed the shoot in 29 days.”

Satish Kaushik, who is currently filming the sequel of Kaagaz with Anupam Kher in Lucknow, intends to create a franchise of the same name. The actor, who is also producing the V K Prakash-directed venture, intends to make Kaagaz a series of films that revolve around the struggle of the common man’s socio-economic issues, and will establish the need for the government to change their perspective towards human rights.

Kaushik says, “[We want to showcase] that when the common man gets neglected by the system, he can seek justice. We will do this in an entertaining way, with drama, emotions, and humour. We will address economic issues and suggest solutions to problems. Today, people want to watch real stories related to real India, so we will take up various real-life incidents and dramatise them.”

Pointing out that Kaagaz, which revolved around a man who had been declared dead, effected change in the Uttar Pradesh administration, he says, “Many dead men were made alive in many district administrations, and that’s when I thought we could take this forward. In Kaagaz 2, I play a poor, but self-respecting clerk, who works in the water management department. He loses his beloved child, and gets justice with the help of characters played by Anupam and Darshan Kumaar.” 

Ask him if his friend Salman Khan will extend a helping hand for this second edition as well after having narrated a poem in the first film, and Kaushik says, “As soon as I complete the first schedule in Lucknow on July 17, I will try to show him some of the rushes. When we started shooting for Kaagaz 2, he was shooting for another film. But I informed him about it, and he responded with a thumbs-up [emoji].”

Darshan Kumaar, who is enjoying the popularity he has gained in recent times, feels grateful for all the love he is getting from the audience. “It feels surreal actually. It’s taken a long, long time for me to come here but I don’t want to take all of this for granted. It feels good now when people recognize me and acknowledge me. I have some wonderful projects in my repertoire, I have been fortunate to have worked with some of the best people in the industry in TV and in films and now web too. For instance, now I’m working with Satish sir, Anupam sir and Neena Gupta ji again in Kaagaz 2. I have learnt so much from them,” he says.

Remembering that period of struggle when he would subside on glucose biscuits and travel on foot across Mumbai for auditions, only to be rejected, Darshan says, “I would wear slippers and carry my shoes in a packet so that they wouldn’t get dirty, and would change into them for auditions. There have been so many times when I’ve had the doors shut on my face when I’ve gone to ask for work. And now, people are sending me scripts at my home.”

But he says there were people along the way who helped him and gave him advice which he follows till date. He shares, “Working with Neena Gupta ji, Naseer sir in theatre and the likes of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Manoj Pahwa, Satish Kaushik, Prakash Jha sir has been a very enriching experience for me. I remember I was so nervous when I had to face the media for the first time during the promotion of Mary Kom. I was just in my jeans and T-shirt and was so nervous when all the cameras started popping in my face. I would close my eyes each time the flash would go on. Then Priyanka (Chopra Jonas) told me, just be your honest self because nothing is hidden from the camera. Be honest and be confident. And that’s what I did.”

Doing theatre and ads helped Darshan, also seen as the antagonist in Anushka Sharma’s NH10 and a lawyer in Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Sarbjit, carry on with his dreams. “When I started my career there were very few options for actors. I was mainly focusing on my theatre shows at that time. Once during my morning walk I met Dimpy, a casting director, who used to reside in the same society. She asked me to visit her office and audition for a TV series. It was my first audition and that’s how I got selected for my first serial Chhoti Bahu,” he says. Later, Darshan went on to do shows like Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo and Devon Ke Dev. . . Mahadev.

Talking about television these days, Darshan says, “I understand that our TV industry works on TRPs and so the content providers are also focussing on the tracks which are mostly loved by our audiences.” 

And although Darshan is busy with film projects, he says he would love to be on a TV show again. “I would love to host a reality show. TV is the best medium to connect with people as you become a part of their everyday life and in turn are showered with immense love.”

Ask him why these days there are few experienced actors from theatre making a foray on TV and Darshan says, “Now thanks to the OTT platform it has opened a new horizon for actors as well as producers, directors and technicians. So now along with good content there is a demand for good actors in our industry. I believe this has helped many theatre actors as well as method actors to perform their dream roles in TV serials as well as in OTT and other various platforms. On the other hand now all newcomers are getting a good opportunity to perform in serials where they are earning as well as learning their craft everyday so it’s a win-win situations for everyone.”

Satish Kaushik knows how to strike a balance between his two profiles as an actor and filmmaker. If the actor makes you laugh with some of his performances in breezy entertainers, the filmmaker is also known for directing intense social dramas like Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999) and his last directorial Kaagaz (2021). He is now backing Kaagaz 2, which went on the floor recently. Unlike the first instalment, which was directed by Kaushik himself, the second one will be helmed by renowned South filmmaker V K Prakash.

Ask the actor-filmmaker if the movie marks the beginning of the Kaagaz franchise, and he says, “Yes, it does. The aim is to highlight issues that are true to life with an emotional treatment and a dash of humour.”

Kaagaz 2 is part of the actor-filmmaker’s dream to create a brand that “tells stories of the common man’s problems and struggle caused by the negligence of our system”.

He elaborates, “Kaagaz and Kaagaz 2 have been aptly titled because the subject of both films is about the power of official documents. They make a positive statement about improving our system as the films do not only highlight issues, but also suggest solutions. The first instalment was about a common man being declared dead on paper and his struggle to prove his existence. On the other hand, Kaagaz 2 is about human rights violations. It showcases a common man’s struggle to get justice for his daughter, who loses her life due to a protest on the road.”

The film has Anupam Kher and Darshan Kumaar sharing screen space. “Anupam was the perfect choice to play Darshan’s father. He has been a dear friend of mine for many years and he is a great actor,” says Kaushik, adding, “Besides, he and Darshan look great as father and son.”

The filmmaker-actor will also be playing an important role in the film, which in his words, is “something that I have never attempted before.”

Actor Darshan Kumaar is glad that his latest film, The Kashmir Files, has earned appreciation from the audience and that “it’s turned out to be a people’s film”. Said to be a true account of the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, it invited naysayers, too, who alleged that the film was dividing communities.

But the 35-year-old disagrees: “The film is brutally honest, based on a true event. It is not against any caste, party or community. It shows what happens when there is no humanity. People who say that our film divides communities should watch it first and then decide.”

Kumaar played a character called Krishna Pandit in the movie and he calls it his most challenging part till date, “mentally, emotionally as well as physically”.

The Mary Kom (2014), NH10 (2015) and The Family Man actor explains, “I believe acting is the most difficult job in the world. It requires strength and hard work. The casting director called me and said that Pallavi Joshi ji (producer-actor) and Vivek Agnihotri ji (director-producer) wanted to meet me. They showed me the heart-wrenching stories of 700 families and I couldn’t speak a word after watching those videos. Then they gave me the script and said, ‘We want to cast you as the lead’,” he recalls.

Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, who won the National Award for best screenplay – dialogues for The Tashkent Files (2019), says that casting actors for films isn’t an easy process anymore, as the decision is no longer just based on the goodness of the script. In fact, a filmmaker’s political inclination is also a huge factor these days.

“There are some young actors, who want to work with me, but they’re also doing big films with some big banners, and those producers and directors are politically active. They give the actors a choice between me and them. Obviously, I am not making such big commercial films and those actors have stakes over there,” shares Agnihotri.

He further adds that this is a new phenomenon, something that he has not seen or experienced before. “Actors have started choosing films based on the other person’s political inclination. It is a sad commentary. This has never happened in the history of Indian cinema. People would never think about someone’s political inclination while doing a film. But now, actors are blackmailed and threatened… a lot of young actors out of the FTII and NSD tell me that this is the problem that if they do a film with this person, that person does not want to cast them,” he adds.

Agnihotri, who is currently in the US along with wife, actor-producer Pallavi Joshi, for the pre-release screenings of his latest film, The Kashmir Files, says he did face it first-hand while casting for his film. “We had planned to take an actor as lead and the person was threatened by other producers and he told me about it. I then cast (actor) Darshan Kumaar,” he says, adding, “There is no dearth of good actors.”

In 'The Family Man 2' where the lines between heroes and villains are blurred, with each character’s motivation fuelled by the unjust done to him, Darshan Kumaar’s Major Sameer stands out as the only all-black character. As the mastermind behind the terror attack, he is seen running the show from London. 

“Major Sameer is always ready with a Plan B. He has the capacity to carry out huge missions, is flamboyant yet focused, and can go to any lengths to execute his plans. He is the most dangerous guy on the show. As we see in the news, there are many like Major Sameer who are killing countless innocent people for their selfish reasons,” says Kumaar, happy with the praise coming his way for his restrained act. 

“My phone is filled with messages of praise from the film fraternity. It was a tough part; I had to create a backstory and work with conviction. After the shoot, it took me two weeks to shake off the character.”

The actor has another promising release in 'Toofaan' that sees him alongside Farhan Akhtar and Paresh Rawal. He underwent two-month training at a boxing facility in Mumbai before slipping into the role of a Maharashtrian boxer, Dharmesh Patil. “This phase feels like déjà vu. Last year, around the same time, two of my shows — 'Avrodh' and 'Aashram' — had dropped, and were loved by the audience. Now, 'The Family Man' is bringing a smile to people’s faces in these critical times. Hopefully, Toofaan will do the same,” says Kumaar, who has also shot for a film with Zee Studio, and has a thriller with R Madhavan in the pipeline.

For someone without a 'filmi' background and godfather in Bollywood, Darshan Kumar found success with his first two films - Mary Kom and NH10. In his third outing, Sarbjit, the actor will be seen as a Pakistani lawyer. In an interview with BT, Darshan talks about his role, working with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and his friend Randeep Hooda. Excerpts:

How did Sarbjit happen?
I had worked with director Omung Kumar in Mary Kom and we share a good working relation. He offered me the role of real-life Pakistani lawyer, Awais Sheikh. While doing research, I was impressed with him as he had done an extraordinary job for the sake of humanity. Despite staying in Pakistan, he was fighting for Indian prisoners at the cost of his life.

What kind of research did you do for the role?
I didn't get a chance to meet Awaisji when we were filming as he stays in Sweden now. But I spoke to him over the phone and he gave me some vital inputs. I also saw some of his footage, observed the way he behaves and picked up his mannerisms. Also, I have been to Pakistan a couple of times for my plays. During my stay, I had interacted with the locals, so I knew their accent. I discovered that a lot of them speak Urdu with a touch of Punjabi, so I worked on my accent accordingly.

How was it sharing screen space with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan?
It was a dream come true to work with her. On the first day, I was a little nervous but after giving my first shot, I found her to be co-operative. She is hardworking, dedicated and passionate about every scene. She wants each scene to be perfect, so she rehearses a lot. When you work with a person like her, who is so professional and humble, you are inspired to do better.

Randeep Hooda and you go a long way back to your theatre days.
We have trained under the same theatre group and had the same mentor - Naseeruddin Shah. We know each other's technique which made it easier for us to work in the film. Our off screen camaraderie can be seen on screen and we have some impactful scenes in the film. Randeep is a brilliant actor. According to me, this is the best performance of his career.

How has the success of your two films changed the industry's perception towards you?
Earlier, there were days when I was out of work. But now, filmmakers have started approaching me directly for roles. I am glad people have liked my work and given me such a positive response. It feels nice when eminent people from the industry appreciate my work. But on the other hand, it makes my job even tougher because now the expectation is higher.