Put Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in any function and he owns it — but he doesn’t map out wins or losses, he tells mid-day. It’s been a packed 12 months: he opened with the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Kaalidhar Laapata, adopted by Chandan Arora’s Kanneda, and Felony Justice: A Household Matter with Pankaj Tripathi. Now, because the 12 months closes, he returns as a coach in SonyLIV’s Actual Kashmir Soccer Membership. Nonetheless shut with the solid and crew a 12 months on, Ayyub remembers assembly Shamim Meraj — the person who impressed his function, explains why sports activities tales matter, and the way the collection weaves Kashmir’s socio-political actuality into its theme.
Excerpts from the interview.
What drew you to your first sports activities drama?
After Chhalaang [2020], that is my first sports activities collection and it’s a couple of soccer membership. It’s based mostly on an actual life story, one I received to know solely after assembly the director and producer. The truth that I didn’t know something about it truly excited me to be a part of the mission. It’s a story of hope and inspiration.
Do you suppose sports-based reveals can encourage individuals to be resilient?
I feel sports activities is an important a part of any tradition as a result of it develops the temperament of individuals, particularly soccer. I watch and love the game so much. In most sports activities, in case you have one wonderful participant, then he/she is compensating for others. However in soccer, everybody needs to be on their toes and play as a group. In case you have even two or three weak hyperlinks, your group [suffers]. Sports activities positively evokes individuals, it additionally connects, and brings them nearer.
Does the story resonate universally, or is it region-specific?
I feel it is going to resonate with everybody, and it must. That’s the fantastic thing about this story. You’ll be able to see the true individuals in Kashmir, their resilience, and the best way sports activities connects them as a result of the youth in Kashmir additionally face the identical issues that anybody all over the world faces. They’re making an attempt to do one thing with their lives; making an attempt to attain one thing, and earn bread for the household. They’ve ardour and power. The membership channelises that power and [gives the youth] a goal and ambition; [it brings] respect to all of them. It isn’t only a story about Kashmir.
Did you meet Shamim Meraj, on whom your character relies, and did it have an effect on your efficiency?
That was one thing sudden. I met him at a celebration, however I didn’t comprehend it was him till deep into our dialog. He knowledgeable me that I used to be enjoying him within the present. Once I met him, I noticed a assured gentleman who knew what he was doing. However the factor is we have been portraying the character very in another way, which I consider was the proper technique to go. He’s susceptible. He’s additionally looking for himself by way of the group. He has one imaginative and prescient — to carry hope to Kashmir. If he fails, he will get up and tries once more. It reveals a typical man standing as much as one thing and turning into a hero. However the true particular person is assured as a result of he has [already] achieved every thing now. He was intrigued after I informed him we have been making him extra susceptible within the present.
How does the present characterize Kashmir’s socio-political conflicts?
The essential choice to base it in Kashmir brings every thing robotically. When you’re making an attempt to make a membership, you want children to affix it, and [reflect] the issues they face in becoming a member of, or after. Every part is there due to their social, political, and financial background. The disparity we present could be very dangerous. The writers had many characters and explored them nicely. You will note a unique Kashmir — with actual individuals who have struggled like us.
There was a time when Shah Rukh Khan modified your thoughts about quitting the trade. Emotionally, the place do you stand immediately?
Now it’s completely nice. That thought by no means got here again. I matured whereas working with him. Movies will all the time be like this — some good, some unhealthy. Some initiatives you anticipate from and so they don’t work; some you don’t anticipate and so they shock you. Uncertainty is our life. When you can have one excellent mission each two years, that’s nice. I’m emotionally secure and exploring myself extra.
You’ve been vocal in regards to the trade. Has it value you?
I’m certain it should have. However I’m nice with that. I say what I consider as a result of I really like this trade. If I see scope for enchancment, I’ll say it. If somebody asks me one thing, I gained’t shrink back. I gained’t make reels criticising the trade, but when requested, I’ll say what I consider. That’s how I’m.
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Variety of episodes in ‘Actual Kashmir Soccer Membership’