Actors are taking a fancy to web. The latest to join the league is Raza Murad, who will feature in a web series titled Pyaar on the Rocks, an urban romantic comedy.
The actor, who has worked in around 400 films, was counted among the best villains in the ’90s. He is known for his performance in films like Gunaah, Aankhen, Zamane Se Kya Darna, Prem Yog, and Baazi among others.
Directed by Prasun Jindal and Vedd Rawtaani, this web series is a story of three best friends who live their life to the fullest, but things change with the entrance of a beautiful girl. The series will go online from September 30. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Tell us about your role in the Pyaar on the Rocks series.
My image is of a ferocious person or a villain. I was surprised when I was offered this role because I had to play a man who appears to be dominating in front of everyone else, but is timid in front of his wife. I play the stubborn uncle of the lead actress. It was fun to play such a different character.
How was experience of working in this web
series?
It was a team of youngsters who were full of ideas. What really impressed me was their uncompromising attitude towards work. It was an experience in the real sense for me to work with an entirely new team and I am pleased with the outcome. The creators, Prasun and Vedd are wonderful people and I would want to work with them in future again.
Prasun and Vedd are new age directors. How different is their outlook towards the platform compared to the veterans you have worked with in films?
The major difference, and the best part of these new age directors, is that they are very polite and at the same time very firm about what they want. I really appreciate their efficiency and ambition.
A host of veteran actors like Neena Gupta, Zeenat Aman and others, including you, are getting into the web space. What is drawing you towards the medium?
The web is a space filled with the youth. Their thought process and ideas are fresh for me, and maybe for others too. It is the best platform to connect with the youth, and this connect keeps us alive and aware. I am looking forward to explore this new platform.
You will next be seen in Padmavati. Can you tell us about your role in the film?
I play the character of Jalaluddin Khilji, the first sultan of the Khilji dynasty, who reigned from 1290 to 1296. Khilji was the paternal uncle of Alauddin Khilji as well as his father-in-law. Alauddin married Jalaluddin Khilji’s daughter played in the film by Aditi Rao Hydari.
There are reports about you slapping Ranveer Singh 24 times in one of the scenes. How did you deal with it?
Unfortunately, it’s true. I had to slap him 24 times as Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a perfectionist. He was not satisfied, so we had to retake the shot. But it is nice of Ranveer, he told me not to get upset as the shot had to be done as per the director’s requirement. Had I been slapped him one more time, it would have been the silver jubilee ‘thappad’.
