Delving into a turbulent period of Indian history, Razakar brings a complex narrative to life. In a conversation with SAKSHI PRIYA, the film’s cast sheds light on their experiences portraying characters from a dark chapter in Indian history
Raj Arjun, what was the biggest challenge in portraying your character in Razakar?
Every character gives me a challenge, and every character elevates me. That’s what is exciting in this journey. I am in this field because I am always bored by monotonous routines, and I need challenges in my life. If you don’t get challenges, you get bored, so I need challenges in my characters. That’s why the excitement was there from the moment I was offered the role of Kasim Rizvi. He has a lot of complexity; he is a brutal man, Hitler-like, and a tough character. I thought I could justify it because of my thought process, and that’s how I started.
Razakar deals with a dark period in Indian history. Did portraying a character from that time impact you in any way?
It does impact you for each and every character, whatever you play. If it is intense and requires you to be deeply in the role, it does leave an impression on you. It is not impossible to get out of that, but it gives you pain and trauma. It is hard to get involved in another character afterward, as it is hard to come out. Then, we fight with the emptiness of our own space because for a long process, we involve ourselves in a particular character, and then there is nothing after that. Neither are we actors nor that character at that particular time. So, you feel totally empty. This takes you on a different emotional ride, which can sometimes bring you down because a particular character is very intense. He is so brutal, he is thinking of his own Islamic state, and everything, and then, cut, the process is over. Now, that mindset you are left with for the last five months, and now there is nothing. You are not allowed to go beyond that. You start thinking about how you will move to the next character. That always gives you pain, but at the same time, there is happiness also. The mixed emotions are what we have to deal with. That’s why we are actors, and that’s why we are artists.
There is often debate surrounding historical portrayals in movies. How do you feel about the responsibility of actors in portraying such events accurately?
For every role I am offered, if I have been called, I feel that without them giving me the responsibility, I take it upon myself because I feel if they have called me, they know I am a good actor, and I have to serve the purpose. I have to justify the role with my honesty and my craft, by not showing that I am overacting. They have to see the character, not Raj Arjun the actor. That is my forte. People call me that because I start looking like the character. So, I do feel the responsibility so much that I get involved with my production house, my people, director, makeup artist, as a family member. I will go beyond everything because for me, my film, my character, and my story are my God.
How did working alongside your fellow cast members enhance your understanding of the film’s themes?
They are so lovable, and they are great. If you see love outside and around you, you will find love. If you throw hatred through your eyes, you will find hatred. In the work zone, I don’t find anybody who is jealous of me or not giving me good vibes because I am so engrossed in my work that I don’t have time to look up and see what others are thinking. If I start thinking about others, it would be a criminal waste of my time, and I don’t believe in that kind of thinking. Sometimes, when you talk to actors, when you do the scene, you get the energy. Over here, as I said, if you are good, everybody is good. In any case, they all work here, so we will all be good people, good energy around. That’s why commercially, where this project will reach, I am not worried about that. That should be my concern because I am a part of this film, and I should think that my producer should benefit. But it is not in my hands. But what can I do? I can just support this film. That’s why all this good energy works together, and here is a good product out of that good energy.
Photo: Pankaj Kumar
Tej Sapru, what was it like to play the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?
For me, it was the best role I ever played because, if you see, I have mostly played negative roles, but this one was completely opposite to me, and it was a role that I have idolised since childhood - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. While there are many people like Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose whom I also admire, the person who truly united India was Sardar Patel. Getting this role was very challenging for me as the makeup took two hours, but the character is someone I just love.
What were some of the challenges you faced while filming?
Once you get a role, your thinking process becomes similar. I will not call this a challenge, but the makeup took 2 hours, sitting in front of the mirror, and getting the nose job done took a lot of time, but otherwise, everything was just practice. Having worked for 44 years in this industry, with 300 films, 10-15 serials, and being the only actor to work in 13 languages, I feel blessed. I haven’t done any acting courses; my father and mother were big actors, and I am basically a sportsman. I am the Maharashtra badminton junior champion and played cricket for Mumbai, so my entry into acting was from sports. When people ask me to come and give a lecture in their academy about acting, I say that even today, I don’t know what I am doing; I just do what I see.
What aspects of Patel’s leadership did you focus on portraying in the film?
He was the Iron Man. He was silent, but in silence, he could tear apart anybody. I focused on his thinking and how he did things with a very straight face. Others have portrayed him before me, but I haven’t seen their work. I have portrayed him based on my understanding, and I think I have done a good job.
What do you hope audiences will take away from the film?
It is basically history. The new generation doesn’t know how much time it took for India to be formed after Partition. It’s not only about Patel; there are many unsung heroes. After seeing this film, you will come to know how many unsung heroes there are and how they have sacrificed in their own ways. Many people have made sacrifices, and we are seeing the result today, and knowing this is essential for all of us.
