An act of belief

Ajay Joshi

Beating lockdown blues by watching cult shows, even Korean and German series, and writing poetry, Asif Khan, a rising web star, has undoubtedly carved a niche for himself through back-to-back hit performances in Mirzapur, Jamtara- Sabka Number Ayega and Panchayat. Excited about the success of Paatal Lok, the actor is spending the self-isolation period with his family in Nimabahera, Rajasthan. We catch up with him.

Tell us more about your character in Paatal Lok… 

Paatal Lok is the story of four assassins, including me; I play Kabir M, who comes from Benaras. The story revolves around their past and how it moulded their present. Many hard-hitting scenes in the series have touched sensitive topics like communal riots, racial differences and more. 

 How do you prepare for essaying different characters on screen? 

I believe every person has different observational capacities and because of that, one might have to recollect examples from the past or search for present avenues to portray any character. 

 Hailing from a small town, how has your lifestyle helped in playing different characters? 

 I solemnly trust that the essence of every small town in India remains the same and that's the beauty of it. I just have to tune in to the right dialect and accent. Besides, we, as actors, always have to get into the skin of the character, which eventually justifies the character. 

 How has your journey been so far? 

 Initially, I found participation in co-curricular activities a medium to escape academics; gradually, I developed more interest in them. After coming to Mumbai in 2011, I realized it wasn't a cakewalk and I needed to polish my acting skills. After doing some odd jobs, I chose to move back to my hometown and hone my skills. It was only after 2016 that I decided to return to Mumbai. With the guidance of my mentors, Abhishek Banerjee and Anmol Ahuja, I was able to bag significant roles in India's Most Wanted and Mirzapur. Now Pataal Lok is getting good reviews, so I am happy. Being a true admirer of Anurag Kashyap, now I wish to work with him.

What has been the response of your fans?

It was a very special moment for me when a fan drew my sketch and gifted it to me. Besides, it felt good when a fan approached my mother and siblings (who have always remained my support system) and appreciated my work. Sharing the screen with Pankaj Tripathi for the first time was indeed a dream come true moment.