Mumbai:
Working with an artist like Pankaj Kapur is like playing a tennis match where the players feel envy and deep respect for each other, says veteran star Naseeruddin Shah.
The duo, considered the most critically acclaimed performers in Indian cinema, share the screen in Anubhav Sinha’s Netflix series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” which dramatizes the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814.
At the show’s press conference here on Tuesday, Shah said Kapur’s presence in the joint project makes him work extra hard.
“It’s a joy to work with him because he’s unpredictable and you know this person is prepared. I also think it’s important to be fully prepared. It’s very fun. It’s like playing tennis where you envy his game and you also respect it at the same time.” the 74-year-old actor told reporters.
Shah and Kapur, who are sons, have acted together in several notable films in the last three decades, including ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’, ‘Mandi’, ‘Khamosh’ and ‘Maqbool’.
Kapur, 70, said he deeply admired Shah and his craft.
“I saw kind words from someone you deeply admire. When I work with him, I have a sixth sense inside me that is always ready to learn, to see what he is doing and what new things I can learn from him, because I hold him in such respect and reverence. has said to me such beautiful words and I’m going to enjoy it in the years I have left,” Kapur said.
Based on true events, “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” tells the story of the longest hijacking in Indian aviation history.
In the series, Shah essays the role of Cabinet Secretary Vinay Kaul, while Kapur plays External Affairs Minister Vijaybhan Singh.
Shah said he was shocked by the incident, fearing it would lead to “a new wave of Islamophobia” in the country.
“I was about 50 years old when this (incident) happened. I remember being very disturbed because I was afraid it would cause another wave of Islamophobia, and luckily it didn’t happen at the time.
“But I remember being concerned about the situation and where it was going,” he said.
The veteran actor recalled feeling like there was no closure for the passengers and pilot from this unfortunate incident.
“At the end, when the whole crisis was resolved, there was a sense of ambivalence because I had a sense of uncertainty when the deal was made. I couldn’t define why I felt that way, but I felt that the passengers and the Pilot had been through an absolutely terrible time, and this Shah said that what appealed to him the most about the show was the opportunity to work with an amazing cast.
The cast of ‘IC814: The Kandahar Hijack’ also includes Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Arvind Swamy, Dia Mirza, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Kanwaljeet Singh, Sushant Singh, Aditya Sripalvastakur, Yashev Srivastava and Rajeev.
“I’ve never been in a crisis management meeting anywhere near these things, but I was fascinated by the idea of playing with all these amazing actors.
“It just felt like being in heaven to be with seven or eight actors that you love and admire,” the actor said.
Despite the controversy, the show has been praised by critics for its storytelling approach and the lead cast’s performance.
The success of “IC:814: The Kandahar Hijack” gives a sense of hope to everyone in the team, Shah added.
“It’s too broad a statement to say that the audience has grown and all. But the success of Anubhav’s ‘Mulk’ or ‘Thappad’ and several other films, which were unconventional films that didn’t hurt popular taste…gives us hope,” he said and while admitting that many “many wonderful actors” are discovered through OTT.
Kapur said that he went through the script of the 200-page serial and was impressed by it.
“I thought it was a very tight script and a very well-written script, which is why I wanted to be a part of it,” he said.
He further said that Sinha is like a younger brother to him as he had previously worked with the director of ‘Dus’ (2005) and ‘Bheed’ (2023).
“I have a kind of soft corner for this Lord (Sinha)… So when he offered me, he was half sorry about it… And when I got to know that these are the actors who are going to be involved. about it, as Naseer Sahib said, it was a pleasure to be among them all,” Kapur added.
The six-episode series has caused controversy after some viewers objected to the human reflection of the terrorists and the reference to Hindu code names.
Earlier on Tuesday, Netflix India chief content officer Monika Shergill met information and broadcasting secretary Sanjay Jaju, after which the streamer released a statement saying it has updated the show’s opening disclaimer to include the real and code names of the hijackers. PTI CCP RB BK RB
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff, except for the headline, and is published on a syndicated feed.)
