Showing posts with label Ishwak Singh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ishwak Singh. Show all posts
Vaani Kapoor to play an adult star lookalike in Sarvagunn Sampann; film to finally premiere on OTT
9:32 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 23, 2026)
Will it release? Will it not? That was the chatter around Vaani Kapoor’s Sarvagunn Sampann, which was produced by Maddock Films and reportedly lying ready since 2023. The good news is that the social comedy is set to stream soon on Zee5, as was made evident by the streamer’s announcement of its new slate.
Starring Ishwak Singh alongside Kapoor, Sarvagunn Sampann is set in the 1990s and sees the leading lady portray an adult star lookalike. With it, director Sonali Rattan Deshmukh explores themes of identity and self-acceptance while challenging societal expectations and perceptions.
Kapoor, who was last seen in Mandala Murders (2025), said she was drawn to the film’s “unique and heartfelt” central idea.
She shared, “At its heart, it’s about identity, the labels society places on us, and the personal journey of finding your own truth. What I loved most is that the film explores this subject with warmth, sensitivity, and humour, making it entertaining while leaving you with something to reflect on.”
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‘Pooja Meri Jaan’, the Huma Qureshi and Mrunal Thakur-starrer that had been reportedly ready for four years, is also set to drop on the platform
Ishwak Singh learnt about Berlin honour when he was fighting a sleepless battle with mosquitoes
8:17 AM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 23, 2023)
In a surprising turn of events in the middle of the night amid a sleepless battle with mosquitoes, Ishwak Singh received the news that he has triumphed at the Stars Asian International Film Festival, securing the prestigious Best Actor award for his movie Berlin.
Recounting the honour at that unexpected hour, Singh shares, “Life doesn’t fail to surprise you. I had broken sleep, woke up in the middle of the night, hating the mosquito that was biting me, and was so irritated.” Which is when he saw his director’s (Atul Sabharwal) urgent messages from the US: “I called him, and he told me that I’ve won the award, and the event is in the next hour!”
Singh, who is still processing the accolade, acknowledges the significance of being recognized on an international platform, particularly among Hollywood’s luminaries present at the festival, saying, “It’s a big deal, and it’s amazing, as there were so many huge Hollywood stars sitting there. They are aware of my work, and Atul told me that they really loved the performance and wanted to meet me. It feels great.”
Regarding the broader impact of this accolade, Singh remarks, “It’s sort of a gateway to more possibilities, but you can’t really put a finger on it. I didn’t know that Berlin would reach this point. In our line of work, you can never be calculative in that sense.”
Reflecting on his portrayal of a deaf character in the movie, the 34-year-old actor lists out “the extensive preparation involved in understanding the community’s real issues, including mastering the intricate Indian Sign Language (ISL) to achieve authenticity on set”.
Shefali Shah, Rajkummar Rao, Ishwak Singh react as they win the 4th Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards
8:32 AM
As edition four of the Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards culminates, winners Shefali Shah, and Rajkummar Rao, among others, talk about how they craft their roles with intricacy to appease an evolved audience
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; March 18, 2023)
The resumption of theatrical releases in the aftermath of the lockdown was expected to have spelt the death knell of streaming platforms, which saw unprecedented success during the pandemic. Exposing the fallacy of such notions, OTT releases — with their superlative content — continued to find favour among the masses in 2022, with fans now finding themselves drawn to their favourite web show characters.
Projects like Mukhbir - The Story of a Spy, CAT, and Monica O My Darling reaffirmed the place of thrillers in the digital space, while with shows like Rocket Boys, fans found reasons to celebrate the works of Indian scientists. If Abhishek Tripathi’s mundane life as the panchayat secretary of a small village was still interesting enough for fans of Panchayat 2 to consume, Shefali Shah’s act as the tough cop in Delhi Crime 2 had families come together for some late-night binge-watching.
Evidently then, when the Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards returned with its fourth edition this year, web-watchers shared their love for their favourite films, stars and shows by voting in abundance. The late Rishi Kapoor and Juhi Chawla’s drama, Sharmaji Namkeen emerged to be the Best Direct-to-Web Film, while Lock Upp winner Munawar Faruqui won the Best Internet Sensation title. Chawla defeated the young guns to win the Best Supporting Actor (Film) title, and Shah took home two titles for Best Actor Series (Delhi Crime S02) and Best Actor Film (Jalsa).
“My character in Delhi Crime 2 is one of the most challenging ones, and yet the most rewarding too. Vartika became unprecedented after season one, so, though I was familiar with her, I was terrified to play her again, since there were big shoes to fill. The expectations were higher. I wanted to ensure that regardless of the case, she comes across as equally dedicated, driven, focused and unmovable when it comes to her duty. Yet the aspects that make her human should not be hidden.”
Talking about the film, Jalsa, Shah says, “Ruksana is fiercely protective of her kids, which I identify with, and hence, I could justify the things she does. There is an unpredictability to the character, but, she thinks from her heart, like a mother would.”
Rajkummar Rao, who took home the title of Best Actor for Monica O My Darling, was celebrated for the portrayal of Jayant Arkhedkar, who suffers the consequences of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Rao says of his win, “To be honest in the situation without intentionally trying to create [humour] was a big challenge, because, as an actor, you become greedy. You begin to think that there is this playground and [there is room to] make things funnier. But, I had to find that right balance in my performance to serve the genre. It needed to be a controlled performance and I had a great time following Vasan’s [Bala] vision. He is an exceptional filmmaker. It’s a layered script, but the way Vasan made the film made me so proud of him. I can’t wait to associate with him again.”
TVF’s Arunabh Kumar, whose offering Panchayat 2 won in the Best Creator/Showrunner category and also in the Best New Season segment, said, “I have been following the Radio City and mid-day Hitlist OTT Awards from the first season and would wonder when we would win. With your faith and trust, we will keep telling better stories.”
Taking home the title for Best Actor (Series), Rocket Boys actor Ishwak Singh reflects on his portrayal of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, and says, “I learnt so much as an actor and about filmmaking.”
The award goes to...
Best New Series: Mukhbir - The Story Of A Spy (ZEE5)
Best New Season: Panchayat S02 (Amazon Prime Video)
Best Adaptation (Book/Series): Mukhbir - The Story Of A Spy (ZEE5)
Best Direct-to-Web Film: Sharmaji Namkeen (Amazon Prime Video)
Best Actor (Male) Series: Ishwak Singh (Rocket Boys, Sony LIV)
Best Actor (Female) Series: Shefali Shah (Delhi Crime S02, Netflix)
Best Supporting Actor (Male) Series: Suvinder Vicky (CAT, Netflix)
Best Supporting Actor (Female) Series: Tillotama Shome (Delhi Crime S02, Netflix)
Best Actor (Male) Film: Rajkummar Rao (Monica O My Darling, Netflix)
Best Actor (Female) Film: Shefali Shah (Jalsa, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Supporting Actor (Male) Film: Gajraj Rao (Maja Ma, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Supporting Actor (Female) Film: Juhi Chawla (Sharmaji Namkeen, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Ensemble Cast (Series): Shantanu Shrikant Bhake (Pitchers S02, ZEE5)
Best Non-Fiction: Indian Predator: Murder In A Courtroom (Netflix)
Best Creator/Showrunner: TVF (Panchayat S02, Amazon Prime Video)
Top Internet Sensation: Munawar Faruqui (Lock Upp winner)
I feel lucky that Nikkhil Advani picked me not once, but thrice-Ishwak Singh
8:13 AM
Happy to reunite with Nikkhil Advani after 'Unpaused' and 'Rocket Boys', Ishwak Singh says supernatural thriller 'Adhura' has made him a better artiste
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 9, 2022)
Sometimes, it takes years for upcoming actors to collaborate with someone whose work they deeply admire. Ishwak Singh is third time lucky in that regard. The actor teamed up with director Nikkhil Advani for his short film in 'Unpaused' (2020), following it up with the wonderful 'Rocket Boys' earlier this year. Now, the two have reunited for the supernatural thriller, 'Adhura' that also stars Rasika Dugal. That Advani has trusted him with the series reassures Singh that he is headed in the right direction.
He says, “It is every actor’s wish to work with directors whose work they have looked up to, and Nikkhil sir is that director on my list. We have all seen 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' (2003), which was ahead of its time. I feel lucky that he picked me not once, but thrice. I share a comfort level with him.”
It was initially difficult for the actor to navigate the world of the Amazon Prime Video series, owing to its genre. “Supernatural is a tough genre to crack. That’s where I used imagination as a tool. Once I was aware of the rules of [filming] a supernatural [offering], it became easy for me to visualise and convince myself of the horrors. I’d take time to get out of that distressed state of mind.”
Attempting a new genre teaches one new lessons. Singh says it has enriched him as an artiste. “This character has given me a lot. I feel better equipped as an actor after having done this series.”
Spending time with Nitesh Tiwari and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is like a masterclass-Ishwak Singh
8:14 AM
As Rocket Boys’ star Ishwak fronts Bas Karo Aunty, actor credits writer-producers Nitesh and Ashwiny for building realistic characters
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 27, 2022)
Ishwak Singh had a brilliant start to the year with Rocket Boys. Now, the actor has completed the first schedule of Bas Karo Aunty, the screen adaptation of Varun Agarwal’s book, How I Braved Anu Aunty And Co-founded a Million Dollar Company. For Singh, the high point is collaborating with filmmakers Nitesh and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, who serve as producers on the project alongside Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur.
“Nitesh Tiwari and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s perspective on presenting a story is completely different. Spending time with them is like a masterclass. It is a learning experience for me,” says the actor, who is joined by Mahima Makwana in the film.
The comedy, helmed by ad filmmaker Abhishek Sinha, revolves around a guy’s journey to becoming an entrepreneur. Nitesh and Nikhil Mehrotra have developed the script. Singh says that few writer-directors understand the art of character building as well as Nitesh does — a quality that is prominent in his directorial ventures, Dangal (2016) and Chhichhore (2019).
“It was great to work closely with Nitesh sir. My interactions with him helped me understand the story and its simplicity. I kept [his explanations] in mind throughout the shoot, and things fell in place. The one thing I admire about Nitesh sir and Nikhil’s writing is that it is so close to reality, and [reflects] the times we live in. Bas Karo Aunty is relatable and entertaining, and at the end of the day, has a relevant message.”
I love Jim Sarbh’s work and also envied him for the kind of hustle he has been through-Ishwak Singh
8:05 AM
Armed with a well-researched script, Ishwak Singh on bringing alive the role of physicist Vikram Sarabhai in Rocket Boys
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; February 9, 2022)
After several blink-and-miss roles, Ishwak Singh created an impact with his act as an idealistic cop in Paatal Lok, following it up with an earnest performance in Unpaused. With his portrayal of Vikram Sarabhai in SonyLIV’s Rocket Boys, the actor has shown once again that he can slip into difficult roles, with ease. In a chat with mid-day, Singh talks about becoming the physicist on screen and how the show’s biggest win is its remarkable writing.
What was your first reaction when this role was offered?
I was excited. After all, it’s not every day that you get a part where everything is up your alley. I wanted to do work that involves great writing, and the show [offers that]. Early on, I got to read a part of the script during the auditions, and I knew it was a human story. When I started reading the episodes, it seemed like a great piece of literature. It makes me aware of the world of science.
How much of Vikram Sarabhai’s life were you aware of before?
I was aware of him. I had the opportunity to [see] Mallika Sarabhai perform at Darpana Academy of Performing Arts. Vikram Sarabhai started IIM [Indian Institute of Management], he is the father of Indian space research, but it was [fascinating] to know the circumstances and the resources with which he created all this. It was inspiring to know about the anecdotes, which can easily be transformed into multiple stories. No matter how much research I did, I didn’t feel the burden of playing a character like that.
How much of the story is fictionalized?
For me, the script was the bible. That said, I also referred to his biography, Vikram Sarabhai: A Life written by Amrita Shah. I kept going back to the book to know Vikram. In the series, everything is factual and authentic, to the point that at times, I felt the script was more informative than the biography. You can’t call it fictionalising; it is more like filling in the blanks.
Was there a part of Sarabhai’s story that didn’t make it to the final cut?
That’s a question for the writers. Since I got to know him through the research and script, I think all the significant aspects of his life [were portrayed]. The family was involved in the making of the story at an early stage. Some things may not have found their way into the script, but it was complete [in its own way].
Did you identify with Sarabhai’s ideologies against making an atom bomb?
If you have read Sarabhai’s [biopic], the series will be an eye-opener. This man was brilliant, highly educated, had everything at his disposal, and was a great thinker. I find no reason to not subscribe to his ideology. I didn’t require great acting skills to get into the mind of Vikram Sarabhai because I could understand where this man is coming from.
How was it to work with Jim Sarbh?
I love Jim’s work and also envied him for the kind of hustle he has been through. I have seen him make suggestions about how we could [do a scene], during the workshops. We wouldn’t necessarily agree on everything, but there was always mutual respect. It was a collaborative effort — one of the reasons why I always want to work with new-age filmmakers like Abhay Pannu.
You have Berlin up next.
I love Atul Sabharwal’s [director] writing. We are already doing workshops; the character is creeping inside and becoming a part of me.
Aparshakti Khurana, Ishwak Singh to star in spy thriller Berlin
8:41 AM
MID-DAY (January 6, 2022)
Zee Studios on Wednesday announced its latest film Berlin, a spy thriller mystery starring Aparshakti Khurana and Ishwak Singh of Paatal Lok fame. Set in the early ’90s Delhi, the film will be written and directed by Atul Sabharwal of Netflix crime thriller Class Of '83 fame.
According to the makers, Berlin narrates the story of a sign language-expert, who gets into the “dark vortex of rivalry” between intelligence agencies, deceit, and corruption. Sabharwal said he is excited to mount the film, which is set to go on floors early this year.
“We have a great history of spy thriller films, this thriller drama is based on a mute and deaf spy. Also, seeing the Delhi city of the ’90s will be first of its kind visual interpretation, while covering an exciting time in the history of the country. The team can’t wait to bring the magic on screen,” the writer-director said in a statement.
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After a string of comedies, Aparshakti on prepping for his first spy film, Berlin
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 7, 2022)
The Indian market hasn’t particularly done justice to the genre of spy thrillers, which makes Atul Sabharwal’s next, noteworthy. Sabharwal, whose resume boasts of projects like Class of 83, and Aurangzeb is set to present Berlin, a true-blue spy thriller revolving around a mute and deaf spy.
In a round of casting that may seem rather unusual, the ebullient Aparshakti Khurana is set to play the protagonist in the project that pairs him with Pataal Lok actor Ishwak Singh. “I am currently putting together a list of spy thriller films that I need to watch as prep work. I have also begun reading and watching interviews of former spies. I am working on understanding their point of view, and learning about their experiences. There are several anecdotes that I have come across that, I am sure, will come handy,” says Khurana.
Set in Delhi in the early ’90s, the Zee Studios offering will see the protagonist get involved in the rivalry between intelligence agencies.
“This project is giving me the chance to explore new horizons. This is a genre that I haven’t explored before, but have wanted to since a long time. I am grateful to get a chance to unleash this side of me. I am thrilled, yes, but I would be lying if I said I am not nervous.” Having found comfort in the genre of comedy, Khurana says that while this genre “comes second”, he’s happy to “test new waters and push myself beyond the comfort zone.”
Check out Jim Sarbh as Homi Bhabha in the upcoming web series, Rocket Boys
8:15 AM
Jim Sarbh honoured to pay tribute to India’s brightest scientists as he plays Homi Bhabha in Rocket Boys; Ishwak steps into Vikram Sarabhai’s shoes
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; June 23, 2021)
Bollywood has had more than its share of biopics on athletes, war heroes and freedom fighters, but little screen time has been devoted to the scientists that the country has produced. With 'Rocket Boys', director Abhay Pannu intends to show that scientific discoveries make for stimulating stories as he offers a dramatised retelling of the lives of Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, thus celebrating their contributions to the fields of atomic and space research. Finding actors who can do justice to the geniuses could not have been easy, but the director has found his leads in Jim Sarbh, and Ishwak Singh of Paatal Lok fame.
As he shares his first look as Bhabha in the Sony LIV series, Sarbh says that stepping into the celebrated nuclear physicist’s shoes was an honour. “Taking on the role of Homi Bhabha is special, partly because of our shared Parsi heritage. But more importantly, it is [a privilege] because he was an interesting, driven, Renaissance man. His dedication to scientific process and discovery, his notes on arts and culture, and his ability to have a good laugh make him a delicious character to play,” says the actor, who began shooting for the Nikkhil Advani and Siddharth Roy Kapur-backed series in late 2019.
A story about India’s brightest minds is incomplete without Sarabhai, considered the Father of the Indian space programme. The show will study his early years of research. Singh remembers saying an enthusiastic ‘yes’ to the project right after the narration. “The concept of [remembering] India’s science heroes grabbed my attention. As a youngster, I was fascinated by stories of space and what lies beyond. By playing Vikram Sarabhai, who established the Indian Space Research Organisation, I will help other enthusiasts know more about his accomplishments.” The series, shot across Mumbai, Pune and Rajasthan, marks his second project with Advani after Unpaused.
The script of Rocket Boys was shared with the Sarabhai family at an early stage-Nikkhil Advani
8:09 AM
Retracing the accomplishments of India's greatest scientists with Rocket Boys, producer Nikkhil Advani on how he procured danseuse Mallika's permission to bring father Vikram Sarabhai's life to screen
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 5, 2021)
Pulling off space dramas is no mean feat, given the exorbitant budget the subject demands. So, the entertainment industry was in for a surprise when Siddharth Roy Kapur and Nikkhil Advani announced their passion project, Rocket Boys. The Sony LIV series will offer a dramatised retelling of the lives of India’s brightest scientists, Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai and APJ Abdul Kalam, studying their immense contribution in the fields of nuclear physics and space research.
Procuring necessary permissions for the story could have posed a difficulty, but Advani says the team had initiated talks with the Sarabhai and Bhabha families by late 2019. “The Sarabhai family is completely on board. The script was shared with them at an early stage. We have spoken to the family of Homi Bhabha, and they are keen to see an authentic story being made on the great scientists.”
The unit kicked off the Abhay Pannu-directed project in Jaipur last month, with Ishwak Singh of Paatal Lok fame playing Vikram Sarabhai. The late scientist’s daughter Mallika Sarabhai has graciously agreed to help them. “Mallika Sarabhai is currently on the set, choreographing the dance sequences that her mother [Mrinalini Sarabhai] performed in 1950. Her son is one of the main dancers in the act.”
Getting down to brass tacks, Advani agrees that the human drama is one of Emmay Entertainment’s most ambitious projects. However, he is confident of doing justice to the subject on “limited funds”. “We have previously pulled off Airlift [2016] on a smaller budget than expected. Big stories can be told on the right budget if the planning is [thorough]. Abhay has sent some footage to me; it is spectacular.”
At the moment, the producer is unwilling to reveal who has stepped into the shoes of Bhabha and Kalam. Instead, all he divulges is that the story of the three great minds will have them traversing India and the UK. “It will be a gruelling 150-day schedule. The show will be shot across Mumbai, Pune, Rajasthan, Mussoorie, Cambridge and London. We will attempt the last two cities post April, when the lockdown in the UK is hopefully lifted.”
Paatal Lok star Ishwak Singh to headline Nikkhil Advani's upcoming web series
8:26 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 11, 2021)
He may have played a brief role in Nikkhil Advani's short film, The Apartment, in Unpaused, but Ishwak Singh is looking at a promising 2021. For starters, the Paatal Lok breakout star is slated to headline one of Advani's upcoming web series. Even as he refuses to divulge details about the project, Singh counts himself lucky to be collaborating with the filmmaker.
"I have always admired Nikkhil sir's work. He is the kind of filmmaker who allows artistes to be fluid. The project came my way right after Paatal Lok. Telling a story in sync with a director's vision and the writing is the greatest high for an actor. Beyond that, one should be able to add his personal dimension to the character," explains the actor.
Singh, who made everyone sit up and take notice of his earnest act as Delhi police officer Imran Ansari in Paatal Lok, is grateful for 2020. "Last year has been life-changing. The series put me in the spotlight, and the industry finally opened its arms to me. I wanted people to know what I represent, and now, I have an identity."
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Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 11, 2021)
He had been doing projects here and there, but it was the web series Paatal Lok, which released in May 2020, that turned the tables. And Ishwak Singh is only glad. “Paatal Lok happened in May, and it was a big deal. It was kind of amazing, the response to it. It was a privilege that it was under the spotlight,” the actor says.
And the roles Singh is now getting are very different from the ones he’s done till date — in Aligarh (2016), Tum Bin 2 (2016) and Veere Di Wedding (2018). While the last two made it seem like he’s gunning for a chocolate boy image, Paatal Lok, which saw him play a cop, changed tracks.
The actor, who also starred in the anthology Unpaused, which features stories around the Coronavirus pandemic and its different aspects, explains that this is both happening organically and a conscious decision. “These days, the writing is so specific, you don’t see things like that and try to look for something deeper. I’ve realised every character is so different, even if they seem similar on the outside. For me, it always starts with writing. Like in Unpaused, you know it’s an ensemble, but it’s encouraging to be a part of something where you know your co-actors have a lot of zest. There is a possibility of you being part of something memorable,” says Singh, 30, who shared screen space with actor Richa Chadha in the anthology.
Theatres were shut due to Coronavirus, but they reopened in October. Singh feels the industry bounced back, and that was somewhat encouraging to see. “The industry has been strong and a bit of a braveheart, in the sense that it got up on its feet. Everyone got busy,” he observes.
The idea for my segment in Unpaused came from solitude and depression-Nikkhil Advani
8:07 AM
Helming a short film centred on lockdown in Amazon's anthology Unpaused, director Nikkhil Advani on how the Richa-starrer gives hope amid pandemic
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 16, 2020)
It all started with a call from Amazon Prime Studio's content head, Aparna Purohit. The brief for Unpaused, the streaming giant's anthology that unites filmmakers Nikkhil Advani, Raj-DK, Nitya Mehra, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Avinash Arun Dhaware, was simple — intimate tales of lockdown.
"Every filmmaker was assigned a budget. We were given three days for shoot. The unit comprised 10 people, and at no point did the floor have more than six people," says Advani, who has helmed The Apartment, featuring Richa Chadha, Sumeet Vyas and Ishwak Singh. "The messaging was clear — while the pandemic is all-consuming, there's light at the end of the tunnel. The cynic in me would've made it gritty and dark, but the creative freedom at work made me feel like a kid in a candy store."
Advani's story is rooted in loneliness, an all too familiar emotion during the lockdown. When Chadha's character learns of her husband's sexual indiscretions, she spirals into a maze of self-blame and attempts to end her own life. "The film's idea came from solitude and depression. Just a day before the lockdown, the lead character is faced with a truth that shatters her belief. When her close ones are no longer accessible, help comes from the one place she never thought was possible," narrates the director, emphasising that casting was crucial to the story. "Richa had to hold the scenes, but the critical casting was Sumeet's. He has a good boy vibe to him. So I knew I was casting against the grain."
Sushant Singh Rajput's demise put the focus on the acute loneliness faced by many in the Hindi film industry. "Whatever has happened since Sushant's death has played on my mind. It made me realise how synthetic the film industry is."
My Pataal Lok character Ansari was born during chats with Mangolpuri cops-Ishwak Singh
8:36 AM
A theatre actor noticed for his role in Pataal Lok, says it's when he spent days with officers who operate on the fringes of Delhi, that a believable character took shape
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; May 31, 2020)
To prep for his role as young police officer and IAS aspirant Imran Ansari in the recently dropped web series Pataal Lok, which is centred around the team at the fictional police station of Jamna Par in New Delhi, Ishwak Singh says he had to literally cross the Yamuna. "These areas are referred to as the outer districts… places like Mangolpuri, where the crime rate is very high. I hung out there, made friends with the cops and saw what their daily life was like. Most of them end up tackling 100 cases each. You begin to empathise with them, you know [what they do] is difficult. When they shared their stories, the details of their interrogations, that's where Ansari was born."Singh, who is trained in theatre, says the method seems to have worked, with the entertainment circuit calling him the new "find". His phone has been ringing off the hook, with calls and messages from fans and seniors who matter. He thinks Ansari stands out because he represents the good in a story that's centred around greed, corruption and disillusionment, within the media, the police force and society in general.
But this journey to attention has taken a while. Singh's first big break was Hansal Mehra's 2015 film, Aligarh. He is philosophical about the right break. "It's all about doing it well; I would've waited 15 years if needed," he says. The Delhi resident had studied to be an architect like his brother, but couldn't get the urge to act out of his head. "An actor just knows! But I was far removed from this world. I was scared to even say that I wanted to do it."
After college, he signed up for a weekend acting workshop and took up small roles. It was at Asmita Theatre Group, that he came into his own, and after someone noticed him during a stage performance, he received a call from Yash Raj Films. "That role didn't work out, but then I met Mukesh Chhabra [casting director], Aligarh happened, and then Tamasha." Singh then went back to theatre, because he knew that to hone his craft he had to continue to act. "I started to look at it seriously—as a profession. The more you do it, the better you get. I played the same character again and again; that's how you develop techniques and characters."
It came in handy when developing Ansari, the positive and upbeat Muslim cop. "He has to be right. He is a member of a minority community, and has to keep the larger picture in mind. He can't afford to slip into cynicism. He is not in his comfort zone as a young Muslim police officer. He has to keep going and prove himself, much the way I'm trying to do in Bollywood."
Having been termed crush-worthy on Instagram, means he may be the new flavour of the season. Singh is enjoying it because "without the audience, we are nothing".
Men can go an extra mile for love-Ishwak Singh
7:57 AM
His Pakistan ad breaking gender-based stereotypes, Ishwak Singh on why men don't chase do's and don'ts lists
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 19, 2018)
Months after the concept of gender role reversal was celebrated in Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam K Ahuja starrer Veere Di Wedding, another Pakistan ad is being lauded for shunning stereotypes. Interestingly, Ishwak Singh, who played a small role in the female-driven wedding drama, frontlines this campaign of a spices brand.
Speaking to mid-day about the Imtiaz Ali-directed ad, the actor calls the project "progressive" and fitting in the 21st century, given that it sees him venture into the kitchen, questioning norms that suggest the place is a woman's domain. The ad also sees him work hard to impress his prospective in-laws as the bunch of men test his worth.
"I had never heard of a concept like that, where a guy goes all out to impress the family of a girl, who come to his place with a proposal for marriage. My character can't be called effeminate merely because he's the one cooking [instead of the girl]. He's just uninstitutionalised," says Singh, adding that today, men don't need to follow a conventional list of do's and don'ts. "I could relate to the character. He is motivated to step out of his comfort zone and cook due to love. Many men and women would walk the extra mile today, for that."Singh says giving his nod to work with Ali was a no-brainer. It was a yes from the word go as soon as Mukesh Chhabra's casting agency contacted him. "While working with him, I discovered the brilliant director that he is and how well he knows his craft. After I shot a pivotal scene, he told me precisely what was going on in my mind, and suggested that I approach it differently. It was like he was reading my thoughts."
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