Actor Saiyami Kher has begun shooting for an untitled Hindi drama directed by Vikram Phadnis, marking his first directorial venture in Hindi. The film has gone on floors in Mumbai and features Saiyami in the lead role alongside Vineet Kumar Singh and Tahir Raj Bhasin.

Saiyami shared a glimpse from her first day on set on social media, posting a photograph with the film’s script and marking the start of the new project. In her note, she reflected on new beginnings as she stepped into the role.

Speaking about the film, Saiyami said the story connected with her at a personal level and described the role as emotionally demanding. She added that beginning the year with this project felt meaningful to her as an actor.

It has taken writer-director duo Garima Wahal and Siddharth Singh, better known as Garima-Siddharth, 10 years to bring Saale Aashiq from paper to the screen. But the duo, who was writing television shows at the time, knew they were on to something when they wondered why films about inter-caste romances ended with the couple paying the price for their love. “It used to anger us. If you see Sairat [2016] or any film on caste-based murders, the couple dies in the end. Instead, we decided that the couple has to win in the end. Cinema should depict what happens in real life. But then, what if somebody had a plan? That’s where fiction comes in,” says Wahal.

With that thought, the two wrote and helmed the Tahir Raj Bhasin and Mithila Palkar-starrer that will première on Sony Max on February 1. Selling the film was tough. “COVID-19 came in the middle. Plus, Love Hostel [2022], a similar film, got in the way. But our pitch was distinct. Our couple goes after the families,” states Singh.

Wahal recalls how OTT platforms as well as stars were skeptical about coming on board. It took them a long time to find their leads, but today, they can’t imagine anyone except Bhasin and Palkar as the fiery couple.

“OTTs didn’t want to take this up. OTT platforms prefer an existing story. For instance, they adapted Black Warrant from a book. But they fear to take a punt on original stories. [In terms of actors], we met the A-listers, but they were wary of playing these characters. Tahir and Mithila were a breath of fresh air. Mithila picked up the accent required for the role. Actors today want to stay in their comfort zone. But Tahir and Mithila dared to be Shatru and Gudiya,” she says.

After the film was made, the next step was the CBFC clearance. Singh says that despite Saale Aashiq tackling the theme of caste violence, they consciously steered away from making it gory so as to get the U/A certificate.

“The CBFC wanted to give it an A certificate. But, eventually, we convinced them [to grant a UA certificate], saying that more people have to watch this film. We want teenagers to know right from wrong. Some cuts were asked, some even ridiculous, but none that compromised the film,” smiles Singh.

In the chilling weather of Manali, actor Tahir Raj Bhasin was shooting for his upcoming digital series. The Mardaani actor is back to Mumbai and says, "I missed Mumbai's 30 degree temperature." The 30 degrees do sound warming, especially when the actor was shooting at a freezing minus five degrees in Manali. “Escaping the madness of the city and going to a hill station is always an experience I look forward to,” he mentions.

Talking about shooting in Manali, Tahir reminisces, “Shooting in Manali was very challenging. It was snowing, drizzling. I and the entire crew were not comfortable with the temperature. Everyone put on their thermals and would go on the set. It was difficult to say the dialogues, you cannot feel your fingers, your eyes feel like the water inside them is about to freeze, but when you have to overcome something like that, it adds to the overall palate of the show. It is something you can never achieve in a studio.”

While he had a packed schedule in Manali, the 83 actor did manage to find a way to find time with himself. "One of my favourite things to do is to rent a bike and go off biking on the hills of Manali towards Solan Valley. There were these very dense pine wood forest that I would absolutely love to walk in. The old Manali has some incredible off the beat track cafes where you get everything from Greek food to Israeli food to incredible hot chocolate. This time I also visited a monastery," he elaborates.

I'm an avid traveler. I'm someone who has always - right from my days in college - put on a backpack and and set off to a destination without really having any agenda, except to explore a new city, meet some new people, discover some new cafes and have great conversations. I have always felt that travel teaches you something that is inexplicable. You come back as a changed person.

Flamboyance runs deep in the protagonists of Milan Luthria’s films, be it Ajay Devgn’s Sultan Mirza in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai (2010) or Vidya Balan’s Reshma in The Dirty Picture (2011). Naturally, when he developed his maiden series Sultan Of Delhi, the director created a swashbuckling hero in Arjun, who hopes to become Delhi’s most powerful gangster. Tahir Raj Bhasin, whose ability to portray aggression and vulnerability in Mardaani had impressed him, was his first choice for the role.

Transforming the actor into the ambitious Arjun required some hand-holding, says Luthria. “In the beginning, Tahir was unable to understand what I was saying since it was a new world to him. I told him, ‘Flamboyance has as much to do with your mind as with your body language and voice.’ Initially, Tahir felt he needed to keep some distance from me because of my seniority. But we [bridged that gap],” recollects the director, happy that it evolved into a creatively fulfilling partnership, where each brought his strengths to the table.

“There were moments when he would say, ‘I want you to show me how to do this.’ For instance, there is a flamboyant shot of him taking out a rifle from a car and firing at a jeep. I showed him how to do it. At the end of the day, Tahir brought his own dimension and took the character a notch above.”

If there was another actor Luthria was certain about casting in the Disney+ Hotstar gangster drama, it was Mouni Roy. The director says, “I saw a picture of Mouni on Instagram, and had a vision of Nayantara [her character]. I felt there was a side of her—sexual, soft, subtle yet bold at times—that hadn’t been captured. [When we met], we instantly connected, which made working with her easy.”

It has been over a year since Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein dropped on Netflix, but Tahir Raj Bhasin says he continues to win praise for his performance in the series. “I never get tired of the love that I get. It was a dream part,” begins Bhasin, who has been nominated in the Best Actor (Male): Series category at the fourth edition of the mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards. Director Sidharth Sengupta’s romantic thriller saw the actor as a small-town guy whose life takes a tragic turn after he becomes the object of a woman’s obsession.

Bhasin remembers being unable to put down the eight-episode script, and reading it in one go overnight. To him, that was a marker of the story’s merit. “The second reason to do the show was that it was told from the female gaze. In cinema, we have often seen what it’s like when a guy is infatuated with a girl. Here, the gender roles were reversed. Additionally, the show paid homage to the ’90s Bollywood and Shah Rukh Khan,” he says.

Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein marked the actor’s first project as a lead in a decade-long career. Shouldering a show was both daunting and exciting. “In so many scenes, there are no dialogues, but a voice-over so that the audience knows what’s going on in my character’s head. Viewers need to follow your emotions, whether it is panic or romance,” he shares, glad that his portrayal resonated with the audience.

Besides the romantic thriller, Bhasin was seen in Looop Lapeta and Ranjish Hi Sahi last year. He is happy to be part of the entertainment industry at a time when an actor can straddle the big screen and digital medium. “When I came to Mumbai, you were either a film star or a TV star. There was nothing in between. Now, you can have a theatrical release, and lead an OTT show. The audience and critics don’t define you by one genre or role.”

Tahir Raj Bhasin has been nominated in the Best Actor (Male): Series category for Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein.

The other nominees are:

- Avinash Tiwary (Khakee: The Bihar Chapter)

- Ishwak Singh (Rocket Boys)

- Jaideep Ahlawat (The Broken News)

- Jim Sarbh (Rocket Boys)

- Manav Vij (Tanaav)

- Meiyang Chang (Modern Love Mumbai)

- Randeep Hooda (CAT)

There are 16 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.radiocity.in/hitlistott to cast your vote.

Voting lines close on February 22

Tahir Raj Bhasin’s latest release Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein has a few elements in common with Shah Rukh Khan’s films. The Netflix thriller, showing the dark side of unrequited love, is bound to remind many of the superstar’s earlier acts in Darr (1993) and Anjaam (1994). Not to mention, the title is borrowed from his popular song from Baazigar (1993).

For Bhasin, the web series holds a special place, more so for its connection with the superstar. “I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the name of the series. For someone who idolises Shah Rukh, this was too good to be true. The title fits aptly with the show’s themes of love, betrayal and vengeance, and its tragic power structure. I remember when I was offered the show, I used to play the song every morning for about a month. It felt like I had arrived in the industry if I was doing a project that has Shah Rukh sir’s song as the title,” says the actor.

Like most of his peers, Bhasin is an admirer of Khan’s work. He admits that the superstar’s struggle to reach the pinnacle of Bollywood has been a source of inspiration for him. “Every young actor in India aspires to get the love and fan following that Shah Rukh sir commands. For me, his journey has always been a source of strength. I came to Mumbai from New Delhi, like him. He was an outsider with no godfather, and I didn’t know a soul in Bollywood when I came to the city. Now, it’s an amazing coincidence that the title of my show is based on one of his biggest chartbusters.”

With his role as Sunil Gavaskar in 83 behind him, Tahir Raj Bhasin has trained attention to his forthcoming projects — Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein and Ranjish Hi Sahi. The two digital offerings see him slip into distinct avatars, with one project being a play on power and politics, and the other, a love story set in ’70s Bollywood.

Talking to mid-day, the actor says, “January is looking like a very special month for me, and a great start to 2022. I’m going to keenly observe the response that my performance evokes. I have gone out on a limb for these two projects, and have pushed myself, as an actor. I have explored my skill [to the best of my abilities].”

Already winning praise for the glimpse that is evident in the trailers, Bhasin says his primary aim is to entertain viewers. “It is rare for any actor to have two trailers release on the same day. I’m happy that both are being loved by viewers.” 

Well aware that as a rank outsider, delivering with each and every project is essential for him, he says chasing versatility is his approach to making a mark. 

“An actor like me [must] chase versatility. I thrive on experimenting with roles and genres. I carefully select fresh scripts to showcase my acting prowess. It is important to constantly explore different things because that is what will open several exciting doors for creative growth in the industry. This has been my intention right from my first film.”

Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein is a Netflix offering. Ranjish Hi Sahi marks Mahesh Bhatt’s digital debut.

After '83, Tahir Raj Bhasin awaits a string of interesting releases — from Netflix’s Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein to Mahesh Bhatt’s creation Ranjish Hi Sahi. But at the moment, the actor is only too happy to soak in the love coming his way for the portrayal of Sunil Gavaskar in the sports drama. He starts off with, “It’s an honour that Kabir Khan chose to cast me as the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. I’m overwhelmed with the love, and to see how people have taken a keen interest in my on-screen dynamics with Ranveer [Singh] who plays Kapil Dev.”

When the director finished the narration of the Singh-fronted drama, it was an instant yes from Bhasin. “Being part of 83 was an emotional decision,” he says.

Telling the story of India’s victory at the 1983 World Cup would be incomplete without showing the players’ struggles and their interpersonal dynamics. The actor says he remained honest to Khan’s brief. “Kabir wanted to make 83 an authentic retelling. So, he had to show the vibe in the dressing room too. The scenes between Gavaskar and Dev were intricate. We had to be mindful that we were dealing with two sporting legends. There was a certain aura and reserved composure that Gavaskar brought to the locker room. Every dynamic had to be seen through this lens. He often made game-altering recommendations [that were born from] his experience. No matter what went on behind the scenes, on the field, they were all a team.”

After Haseen Dillruba, Annabelle Sethupathi and the recent Rashmi Rocket, Taapsee Pannu is OTT-bound again. Does she miss the lure of the big screen? Not really. The story, not the medium, matters to the actor. And she is confident that she has got a winner of a story in Looop Lapeta, the premiere rights of which have been bagged by Netflix. The official adaptation of the German hit, Run Lola Run (1998), Aakash Bhatia’s directorial venture sees Pannu’s Savi in a race against time as she tries to rescue her boyfriend, essayed by Tahir Raj Bhasin, from a sticky situation.

Pannu believes that Looop Lapeta, in many ways, is perfect for the OTT audience that has an appetite for radical and experimental content. “Looop Lapeta is one of the quirkiest comedies I’ve ever read or seen in Indian cinema. It’s wonderful that it’s coming on Netflix because I would love the [OTT] audience to give it a shot.”

What drew her most to the project was its unusual treatment of the subject, which makes it hard to box it into a particular genre. “This is one of those films that you watch with an open mind, ready to consume all genres at different times in the story. It’s a genre-breaker in a way. So, I am glad it is coming on [the streaming giant] because it will be presented to the audience in the right way.”

The writer-director believes that he couldn’t have asked for a better film to debut with. “There’s no way to downplay the exhilaration of making the first film, and Looop Lapeta has surpassed every bit of it. It boldly jumps genres from comedy to thriller to romance, and makes for a rollercoaster ride,” says Bhatia.

The German film, which has gone on to achieve cult status, was a taut thriller with the focus squarely on Franka Potente’s Lola. For the Hindi remake produced by Sony Pictures, Ellipsis Entertainment and Aayush Maheshwari, the director says he has given an emotional touch to the proceedings. “My approach has been to tightly hold on to the emotional core of our story and characters, while playing with style and form.”

The movie is slated to drop online early next year. Bhasin’s excitement is palpable as he says, “It marks my first venture as a romantic hero. I’m looking forward to the audience’s reaction to the quirky heist film.”

He has been working at a frenetic pace to make up for the lost time, but Tahir Raj Bhasin isn’t complaining. In the past few months, the actor has straddled the distinct universes of 'Looop Lapeta' opposite Taapsee Pannu, Bulbul Tarang with Sonakshi Sinha, and the upcoming Netflix series, 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein'. Now, he can breathe easy as the suspense thriller, also starring Shweta Tripathi Sharma, is nearing its finish line.

Currently dubbing for the project in the city, he says, “Post-production has been a challenge throughout the pandemic, and it’s great to finally be able to meet the crew, get into the dubbing studio and get to work. We’re in fifth gear, racing towards completion.”

While the two lockdowns halted shoots across the state, Bhasin believes it also gave him the time to hone his craft and gain better understanding of stories. He is optimistic that the upcoming three projects, belonging to varied genres, will showcase his growth as an artiste. “'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein' is a full-on entertainer with a thrilling script that will have you on the edge of your seat. Shooting for the series has pushed me as a performer, and am looking forward to the [audience’s] reaction. I consider myself fortunate to have got good work despite the pandemic.”

Actor Jatin Sarna first met cricketer Yashpal Sharma in Dharamshala in 2019, where he was with the cast and crew of Kabir Khan’s '83, learning cricket. Jatin had been cast as Yashpal in the film and both men were curious to meet each other. “I was so nervous because I was worried what if I don’t meet his expectations or I’m doing something wrong,” recalls Jatin. However, the meeting went well and Sharma was even impressed by the young actor. Over the next seven days, Jatin picked the veteran cricketer’s brain and when they parted, it was with a promise to see the film together.

Alas, that won’t happen now. Yashpal Sharma passed away due to a heart attack on Tuesday morning. “I am shocked. This is so sad and unexpected,” says a visibly shaken Jatin, adding, “He was such a zinda-dil person and an unsung hero. He scored 89 against world champions West Indies in India’s first match of the 83 World Cup and was adjudged the man of the match. Nobody expected this young batsman to beat the giants. I always told him that this film would bring him and his contribution back into the limelight. It’s so sad he won’t be able to see it.”

Reminiscing about the tips he received from the cricketer, Jatin tells us, “I asked him everything, even the tiniest details about his game, such as which foot he used first in his stride to enter the ground. He told me that he would never ground his bat while batting. He always kept it in the air. I did not want to just copy his shots and mannerisms, but imbibe his passion for the game and dedication towards the country. That is who he was. I wanted to imbibe those qualities so that whenever someone, who knew him, saw me on screen, they’d say: Haan, yehi Yashpal Sharma hai!”

The actor is gutted that he wouldn’t be able to watch the movie with the man he portrays on screen. He tells us, “I wanted to whistle and scream when I would appear on screen as him, while sitting next to him. I will still do that, but he won’t be there. I won’t be able to see his reaction to all that. That is my misfortune.”

The release of 83, directed by Kabir Khan and starring Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev, has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic multiple times and is expected to release later this year.

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Tahir Raj Bhasin, who will be seen essaying the role of Sunil Gavaskar in the upcoming film on the 83 World Cup, remembered the cricketer. He said, “Saddened by the demise of Yashpal Sharma. A story of sheer grit and incredible sporting spirit in the history books of Indian cricket. Yashpal sir was a rock on the pitch and a major reason for India’s 1983 World Cup win. Today, I remember his accomplishments and immense contributions that made the country proud. Condolences to his friends, family and fans. May his soul rest in peace.”

Tahir Raj Bhasin loves the cooler climes. In fact, he spent more than a month in the mountains when Coronavirus cases began rising across the country. However, the actor faced extremely chilly weather in Ladakh during his shoot this April, before he could rest it out in Manali. He was in the beautiful, but tough terrain to shoot for a web project.

Talking about the challenging schedule, Tahir says, “The Ladakh schedule was testing because we were shooting at -10 degrees. Also, Ladakh is at a higher altitude, so that was an issue, too, as you have to acclimatize before you get comfortable, and even then, you often find yourself out of breath. It looks stunning visually, but I have never battled so much with nature for a performance. For a 6 am call time, we had to wake up at 4 am. You have no idea what it feels like when hand sanitiser is sprayed on your hands at -10 degrees, but we had to keep doing it, along with following other protocols.”

The Chhichhore actor feels that leading the cast adds to an actor’s responsibility, especially during a time like this. “When you are shooting at a remote location, you may not have a medical facility nearby, but at the same time, you are checking your newsfeed, so you are aware of what’s happening around you,” he says, adding, “As the lead actor, I felt a certain sense of responsibility. During a shooting schedule, your first priority is to be healthy, so that the shoot isn’t impacted. Of course, it affects the studio and the producer, but the other thing at the back of your mind as the lead is that, if something happens to you, all those who have struggled to earn in the last year — set designers, carpenters, make-up artistes, spot boys, security guards — their livelihood would be impacted, too. We know that work was hard to come by in the last year for people across departments, and that’s motivation enough to keep working and going that extra mile to ensure that you stay safe.”

Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin was shooting for his next web project in Manali when the second wave of Coronavirus took over the country. Witnessing the situation, he decided to stay back for a longer period than intended.

“It was a lockdown all over, including Chandigarh, Delhi, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh. Leaving Manali would have meant taking cabs and multiple flights, so it wasn’t a good time. I took it as the universe sending a sign that this is where I had to be,” he muses.

Bhasin, who has a host of projects lined up next including Looop Lapeta and ’83, shares, “I first shot for Looop Lapeta in Mumbai and Goa, then came here for this series. It’s a complete lockdown here as well, just with a better view and weather.”

Amid all this, getting the first dose of the vaccine became a task for the 34-year-old. “When the slots for ages 18 and above started opening, I checked around, and the only one was available at a small village called Jagatsukh, which is an hour away from my place, and I also needed transportation. We had to apply for an e-pass,” recounts the Chhichhore (2019) actor.

Expressing his gratitude for managing to get the jab, he says, “They had converted a small primary school into a health centre. It was beautiful and surreal, looking at the whole Kullu Manali valley while waiting for vaccination.”

Tahir Raj Bhasin left his Mumbai home to shoot for a web show in March and hasn’t returned to the city in the last three months. The actor shot in many parts of the country, including Madhya Pradesh, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, till the end of April. However, when it was time to return home, he decided to stay put at the last shooting destination, Manali. In fact, the actor even got his first jab of the vaccine there.

Talking about his long absence from Mumbai, Tahir says, “The show is such that it needed to be shot at various places. So, after shooting in Mumbai, we set out and filmed at various locations. The last part of the schedule was in Manali. But this place was chosen because we could see the signs of the second wave of the pandemic by mid-March. Shooting here with the minimum amount of people made sense as everyone would be at one place.”

The actor plans to come back to Mumbai soon, but before that he wants to stop over at Delhi to meet his family as he has not met them this year due to his work schedule and Coronavirus surge. Excerpts.

When asked why he decided to stay in Manali rather than return to Mumbai with the crew or head to Delhi where his family stays, the Chhichhore actor says, “After we finished shooting, I had to decide whether to stay back in Himachal or travel back. But the way things were back then, I would’ve probably had to take a car to Chandigarh, then a flight to Delhi and another flight to Mumbai. It didn’t seem like the wisest thing to do at that time, so I decided to stay put here.”

“It’s been over a month since I am in Manali, but I wouldn’t say that I am locked down here, I have stayed back by choice. People are expected to follow stringent safety precautions and protocol here, too,” says Tahir. Luckily, he managed to find accommodation there. “There’s a homestay that’s run by a family friend, which they opened for me. Luckily, I had an RT-PCR test done for the shoot, which you need to stay here. I just took it as a sign from the universe that I was here when the lockdown was announced in Mumbai,” he says.

The actor says that though rules are followed stringently, and he doesn’t get to venture out a lot, there are some perks to being in the midst of the mountains. He adds, “The rules here are pretty much the same, what’s different from Mumbai is the view and the weather.”

Tahir, a solo traveller, says he was conscious of the fact that this wasn’t a vacation. “I am fully aware that I am here only because of safety concerns, but as someone who has spent the previous lockdown in my apartment in Mumbai, I do know what that was like. Given a choice, this seemed to be a better option. Though I don’t get to be out a lot, everyone has a lawn and a little more space here in the mountains than in the cities, and the weather is definitely more hospitable. My friends in Delhi and Mumbai keep telling me that I am lucky to be surrounded by nature at a time like this, and I realise that, too,” he says.

Speaking about his routine in Manali, he shares, “My routine here is similar to the one I have in Mumbai. I have a workout routine at home and then I cook for myself. The only difference is the workout happens in the garden instead of a room in my apartment.”

Tahir says that the first lockdown emphasised the importance of human contact. He says, “That period really taught me the importance of family and being in touch with loved ones. When the pause button was hit due to the pandemic, everyone realised the importance of human contact. After the lockdown, when I stepped out and went for a short walk, it felt like such a privilege.”

Since his family lives in Delhi, he plans to meet them when he leaves Manali soon. “Due to the lockdown last year, I got an opportunity to meet them in November 2020. I haven’t met them this year due to my shooting schedule and the sudden surge in COVID cases. That’s another challenge when you are shooting,” he says, adding, “Even if you have two days off, you can’t meet someone else and put your crew at risk. On the other hand, you also meet people at work, and end up wondering whether it would be safe to go home and meet your parents and grandparents. This whole year has been challenging, especially for people living away from their families, because you have to pick whether you want to meet your family or you want to work.”

In the past few years, she has done several screen tests with Tahir Raj Bhasin for different projects. But it looks like fate had a different plan for them. It is only with the thriller, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein that Shweta Tripathi Sharma has united with Bhasin.

Revealing that she watched his breakout film Mardaani (2014) during the lockdown last year, Tripathi says, “Tahir is a gem of a guy. He inspires me to do better in every scene. Shooting [in the new normal] was special because [my last offering] The Gone Game was shot virtually, with the director giving cues over Zoom calls. I hadn’t met my co-stars on that project.”

The Netflix web series, directed by Sidharth Sengupta, comes at a crucial point for her — after being part of intense dramas like Laakhon Mein Ek 2, Mirzapur 2 and The Gone Game, Tripathi says it is delightful to shift gears and play a happy-go-lucky character. “I love dramas. [That said], keeping the drama intact, I would love to do happier roles here on. I realised it while filming a college scene for Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, where I had to be happy and in love.”

The Ranveer Singh-starrer biographical sports drama '83 is slated to release in June this year. The film directed by Kabir Khan chronicles India’s first Cricket World Cup win under the captaincy of Kapil Dev in 1983. While Ranveer Singh has portrayed Kapil Dev, Tahir Raj Bhasin has essayed the role of Sunil Gavaskar in the film.

Not just his impeccable batting, Gavaskar is also known for his sharp sense of humour, ability to mimic people and accents and his winning mindset. During the course of the film, he sat with Tahir to share some valuable details of his life and career.

Tahir says, “Playing a living legend is a massive challenge. There’s a lot of pressure. I met Sunil Gavaskar a couple of times before we started the shoot, and I read his biography, too. I watched all his interviews, but when you see that man walk into a room and the aura he carries, there’s a lot of pressure. On-field he was a tiger, but off the field, he is extremely charming and funny. To be able to portray that combination was a challenge.”

Tahir adds, “He also had a certain swag when he walked onto the field. I asked him if that is how he naturally walked or did he adapt a style while walking to the pitch. He told me, ‘When one is opening the innings for India against a side like West Indies, where every player is as tall as 6’3 or 6’4, and you are 5’4, you need to bring in a certain power, strength and confidence in your walk.’ That, for me, was a beautiful life lesson, not just as a screen cricketer but an actor as well. ‘How you walk into a room is how people perceive you.’ Nuggets like these, which emerged from our face-to-face conversation and weren’t in his biography, helped me mould into the character. I want to tell everyone who has been waiting for 83, that as actors, we can only portray the essence of a character. I haven’t mimicked Sunil Gavaskar. It’s an artiste’s impression of who he was as a player.” 

Acclaimed actor Tahir Raj Bhasin burst on the Bollywood scene with a negative role in Mardaani (2014) and followed it up with a spine-chilling avatar in Force 2 (2016). The actor is now taking pleasure in being the hero on the digital screen paired opposite Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, and Shweta Tripathi Sharma. “After the quiet time we’ve all had last year, I’m ecstatic to be on multiple shoots. Being in the zone with varied scripts has increased my ability to immerse myself in characters and then swiftly adapt to the demands of the next story,” says the actor.

Playing the leading man to Pannu in Looop Lapeta, the remake of German thriller Run Lola Run, Bhasin says, “Taapsee is incredibly strong-willed and an instinctive actor. She’s also the first actor I’ve been paired opposite romantically. The style and chemistry between our characters — Satya and Savi — is cutting edge and something I’ve never attempted. I can’t wait for the audience reaction.” While he has worked with Sinha before in Force 2, in Shree Narayan Singh’s Bulbul Tarang, the actor says he will explore “a new romantic dynamic”. “Sonakshi is at ease with her craft and has a riveting on-screen presence,” adds Bhasin.

The 83 actor is simultaneously shooting for a Netflix series, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, opposite Tripathi in Madhya Pradesh. “Having been part of some epic films and digital series, Shweta is someone who invests in her character,” says Bhasin, adding that the series is a suspense thriller with “a love story at heart”. “It’s been such a process of discovery as we explore the roles we’re playing, our chemistry and the cities we are shooting in.”

After getting delayed for over a year due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the makers insisting on a theatrical release, Ranveer Singh’s sports drama '83 is finally slated to release this year. The Kabir Khan-directorial, which chronicles India’s first ICC Cricket World Cup win under the captaincy of Kapil Dev in 1983, will hit the theatres on June 4. While Ranveer Singh portrays Kapil Dev, actor Tahir Raj Bhasin essays the role of Sunil Gavaskar in the film.

In a conversation with Bombay Times, Tahir spoke about the film, playing Gavaskar and what it’s like to work with Ranveer.

Tahir said, “Playing a living legend is a massive challenge. There’s a lot of pressure. I did my research well. As far as Ranveer is concerned, when he is in the same room as you, he’s like a thunderbolt... a live wire, who compels you to up your game. There’s this energy he exudes the moment he walks into a room.”

He further explained, “Before '83, I had only seen Ranveer’s interviews and seen him at a few places. I got to know him better during this film. A lot of people ask me whether he is really like that. All that energy, is that real? I feel it’s genuine. He commits to a part 110 per cent. When you have a guy like him playing the captain, it compels you to do better as well, and it shows. It helps the entire unit.”

Sharing the screen with Ranveer was important for Tahir for a special reason — the Sunil Gavaskar-Kapil Dev dynamic. He shared, “It was particularly thrilling for me because there was that Sunil Gavaskar-Kapil Dev dynamic. Gavaskar was the skipper before Kapil Dev. We had to feed off each other’s energy to get that dynamic right.”

Talking about the team functioning as one unit, he said, “The credit goes to Kabir Khan because he was clear that the team had to function as a unit. All of us started our cricket training six months before the commencement of the shoot. Even in the United Kingdom, we would travel in a team bus. We would eat, travel and stay together. By the end of it, we felt like a unit. It was a life-changing experience, and I am glad we finished the shoot then. Had it been delayed, it would have been extremely difficult to shoot during the pandemic.”

The year 2020 saw too many unprecedented events — theatres remained shut for eight months, shoots came to a halt and business went for a toss. It was only in October that theatres opened, but to a tepid response. This year, however, is pegged to be the year when industry’s fortunes may change. Films such as Sooryavanshi, Laal Singh Chaddha, '83, Maidaan and Radhe: The Most Wanted Bhai shifted their release to 2021.

Actors, too, are eagerly looking forward to the charm of theatres coming back again. Ajay Devgn will be seen in three films — Maidaan, Sooryavanshi and RRR. Agreeing that while web emerged as a big help in these times, he believes what will lure audiences back now is only the experience a film offers. “That’s why we made Tanhaji (2020) on the scale that we did. By showing it to an audience in 3D, it became mandatory for people to visit cinema halls. I’m sure Aditya Chopra, Rohit Shetty and several others know this. Therefore, they’ll make films that should be seen in theatres only,” says Devgn, 51.

After Khaali Peeli last year, Ananya Panday has two films in 2021 — Shakun Batra’s next, and multi-lingual film Fighter. Vocal in her preference for a theatrical release, she says, “I’m hoping that for both my films. I’d love to watch a film again on the big screen, I miss that theatre experience, and nothing can replace that.”

Racing ahead of all is Taapsee Pannu, with five films coming up, including Rashmi Rocket and Haseen Dillruba, and she shares she said yes to all of them keeping in mind a theatrical experience. “These films have a strong story to be told and they’re all meant for community viewing and to be seen in a cinema hall, without any distraction,” she says.

Tahir Raj Bhasin, who’ll be seen in Looop Lapeta with Pannu, and the multi-starrer ‘83, too asserts that both these films have been made for the big screen experience.

Abhishek Bachchan, a big supporter of the cinemas, will be seen next in Bob Biswas. He says, “We make films for theatres. I can’t wait to get back into a cinema hall with a popcorn and cold drink. Obviously that’s the end goal. In the meantime, web is here to stay.”

Trade expert Atul Mohan says at this point, actors will of course prefer a theatrical release. “If they have waited for so long, I don’t think there’s any harm in waiting for some more time. A theatrical release is very important in an actor’s career, and defines where their stardom goes, and where they stand with the masses with each release. Fan following, market value, all are defined by box office, that’s the barometer,” he reasons.