Actor Neeraj Kabi tells Sakshi Sharma that his forthcoming series, Paatal Lok, uncovers truths about an unknown India

What appealed you the most about your character, journalist Sanjeev Mehra?

The fact that he was once a hero, a beacon of journalistic courage, who degenerates himself into rabble rousing as that’s the journalism that sells. His character is nuanced and gives me a scope to interpret him in a complex way.

How challenging was it to carve yourself into the character? What research went into it?

It was a step by step process. I had to first read up on the great journalists of 1990s in India and research their work and philosophies. Then a quick study of  journalism, as it is practised, today. A brief visit was made to a television news channel in Delhi, where I got to see and understand the entire process of how news travels from the studio to the public. Once this skeletal structure was made, I had to prepare the psychological spaces the character goes through in his brain so that I was prepared to get into that state every time I was on the set. Every scene was a conscious preparation. There was a professional life and a personal life of my character, both, opposite to each other.

Since the series revolves around the conspiracy to kill a top-notch journalist, does it aim to give a message around the fourth pillar of democracy or anything at large? 

Not really! The plot is an attempted assassination of a popular television journalist where four suspects are nabbed. During their investigation by a police officer, shocking discoveries are made which lead him to the netherworld.

But the series explores a larger context. That of the class divide in our country — upper, middle and lower classes. Their interactions lead to truths and discoveries of an India that we know little of. That is the larger message.

Does it also gives an insight into how the killing of journalists like Gauri Lankesh, Shujaat Bukhari and many others impact good Journalism? Or what all is at stake for an investigative journalist?

Well yes, the arc of my character in the series reflects what you have mentioned above but the  series as a whole is not about an assassination alone.

Given that there have been a number of murder mysteries written and filmed in the past, you always need something new that cannot be easily predicted or guessed. Do you think the series has a completely new angle for the audience?

Yes. It presents a new angle as it explores the ancient realm of Paatal Lok, Dharti and Swarg. The past lives of the four suspected assassins is a shocking revelation that will certainly keep the audience hooked. 

You played the antagonist in Hichki, DCP Parulkar in Sacred Games and did a romantic role in Netflix’s Once Again. How smooth or tough it is for you to switch genres?

That’s what I have come here for as an actor. To be able to explore from one end of the spectrum to the other and perform roles that are absolute contrasts to each other, yet touch the hearts and minds of the audience. And in the process, leave myself as a mystery where it becomes quite impossible to identify the real person behind these characters. That would be my complete journey as an actor. Acting is not about you, it is about the character you are playing. That is why you need to transform.

You have played many important characters in theatre — Shakespeare (as Banquo), Moliere (as Sganarelle) and many more. How has this shaped you as an actor?

It has shaped me completely. Theatre has been and will always be my foundation as an actor. It has given me the education I need to be able to process a script, understand voice and emotions, create character arcs, transform, discipline myself, work on my physical intelligence, respect my work, develop strength to endure long hours of film shoot, and so much more. 

You also conduct theatre workshops. What would you say about the interest of youth in the medium?

I am fortunate to see this gradual change of the youth towards acting education. I have been conducting workshops for many years now and in the last couple of years, I have seen a steady growth of participants who are very eager to learn and want to work very seriously towards a performance technique. They are slowly realising that merely going to a gym, building their bodies, looking good, doing the rounds of auditions is not getting them anywhere for years. You need skill today. Even the audience is interested in watching an actor with a craft and acting skill and not only looks.

(The series goes live on Amazon Prime Video on May 15.)