As Awarapan 2 gears up for its release, actor Suvinder Vicky opens up about stepping into the world of the cult franchise, working alongside veteran actor Shabana Azmi, and the experience of being part of a film that comes nearly two decades after the original. In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, the actor also spoke about the pressure of carrying forward the legacy of the cult film and shared his thoughts on actors using their voices on social and political issues.
The trailer of Awarapan 2 looks intense. Can you share details about your character and why you chose to do the film?
When I heard the script, I felt like this character is for me. I want my characters to be a little intense and also to have deep emotions. It is a different character than what I have played so far. I wanted to do a mainstream commercial film and the fact that this is backed by Mukesh Bhatt and stars, Emraan Hashmi and Shabana Azmi added to the appeal.
How was it working with a fellow theatre veteran, Shabana Azmi, in the film?
She has a different aura. From theatre to commercial films to parallel cinema, there is no field in acting that Shabana Azmi has not made a mark in. It is a small thing to say that she is down to earth; she just is. She is a very supportive actor, and even if I would forget dialogue sometimes, she would be very cool about it. I had great fun working with her.
I was nervous and curious when I first met her on set. She had a shine in her eyes and the way she was dressed, and how she carried herself with dignity; it felt like I was standing in front of a pari jo asman se utari hai (an angel from heaven). She had so much shine and noor on her face that it didn’t look like she was Shabana Ji; she looked like an 18-year-old girl.
When you carry forward the legacy of a cult film like Awarapan, what’s the feeling like on set? Is there a nervous energy or is it easy-going?
In films like these, everybody is a professional, and they all give their best to the film. This film is coming after a gap of 18 years, so expectations are high. I have never done a film like this where your entry is established with music and all…that was a different thing for me.
I will call myself lucky that whichever director I have worked with, they have been like God. The atmosphere on the set of the film was very friendly. With some people, it would take days to set up an equation, but here we were already hugging each other and cracking jokes. When you feel you have a great cast and crew and a big banner backing the film, you want to give your hundred per cent.
Speaking about Shabana, she was recently at the CJP protest. What’s your take on actors being vocal about social and political issues?
We are first humans, and then our profession comes. So, when it comes to humanity, we should do our duty as humans first. We get to our professions later, but first we come on this earth as humans, and which is why we should first fulfil our duty as humans.
Directed by Nitin Kakkar, Awarapan 2 will release in theatres on August 14.
