From getting laughs to making people cringe, Rajiv Thakur has undergone a massive transformation with IC 814: The Kandahar Hijacking. His polarizing talent show has left audiences wanting more. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, the actor opened up about his bold move. Quote:
How did you land the role?
I am thankful to Mukesh Chhabra and Anubhav Sinha, who boldly cast me in this role. Others have performed this role but left midway. They are looking for an actor for several months as a replacement. Mr. Mukesh is considering taking the audition because I have been several times to offer me roles other than comedy. I auditioned for Dunki and cleared the first round but they didn’t call me later. I was told that I was going to a meeting with director Rajkumar Hirani but I don’t know what happened.
Anubhav Sinha called Mukesh sir after seeing my audition and asked why he sent my audition. Anubhav sir is happy and says he can’t ignore it. The thing is, because I’ve been doing comedy for fifteen years, the audience shouldn’t laugh when they see me for the first time. They don’t necessarily think this character will be funny. Mukesh sir says to him if the actor has cracked the audition as per your requirement then who else will give him another chance than you? Anubhav sir locked me in to play the role and I think I did justice to the role.
How happy are you with the audience response?
I was overwhelmed. My eyes became moist as I received such a response after almost fifteen years. I got that feedback when I appeared on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge where I got a standing ovation in the first episode. Such an incident has happened after fifteen years. My DM is full of messages. People who don’t follow me have messaged me. Gajraj Rao ordered me. Kumud Mishra called me but I couldn’t pick up the phone so he left a nice voicemail. I then called him and he praised me. He said, “Rajiv, I didn’t know you could do this kind of role.” When people like this talk about my performance, it means I’ve done something right. Dia Mirza sent me a message on Instagram. I have seen her on the big screen in Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein. I called my friends to make them jealous and said, “Tum chahe America mein reh lo, ya Australia mein reh lo, jitne chahe paise kaya lo, lekin Dia Mirza message me aaya hai.”
Are you planning to change your track?
I have done some work in Punjabi films. I am playing the lead role in Kanjoos Majnu Kharchili Laila (2023) which is a rom-com family drama. It received a good response for that type of small film. I think after IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, people might check out that movie. I play a gray character in Zindagi Zindabad (2023). There is one more film which is ready but not yet released. I played an important role in the thriller which also had Vinay Pathak, Anupriya Goenka and Vikram Kochchar.
Describe the first day of shooting in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack?
I have worked hard on this show. I toured with Kapil Sharma in the US. My dates clashed with the IC shoot. I used to do Kapil’s shows on Fridays and Saturdays in different cities in America. Then I used to take a flight on Sunday morning and reach India on Monday afternoon. I will take it for IC until Thursday. Took a late night flight back to the US for the show. I traveled up and down from India to the United States. On weekends I used to do comedy in America and on weekdays, I had to do serious characters for IC. I realized that I can switch and turn off.
I followed the director’s brief. I once saw my password captured on the monitor after Anubhav sir okayed it. I thought there would be dubbing after but there was no dubbing. It captures the sound of synchronization. I modulate my voice according to the character and the gradual changes that occur in his voice due to being on the plane for hours. Because I was going back and forth between India and America, my voice was heavy. The weariness also took its toll on the character. I think God made a way for me. I’m a little worried because I haven’t done a workshop for this character yet. I’m afraid I’m going to waste a golden opportunity like this.
What do you think about the controversy surrounding the series?
I followed the director’s brief. I don’t think it’s controversial.
How did you land the role?
I am thankful to Mukesh Chhabra and Anubhav Sinha, who boldly cast me in this role. Others have performed this role but left midway. They are looking for an actor for several months as a replacement. Mr. Mukesh is considering taking the audition because I have been several times to offer me roles other than comedy. I auditioned for Dunki and cleared the first round but they didn’t call me later. I was told that I was going to a meeting with director Rajkumar Hirani but I don’t know what happened.
Anubhav Sinha called Mukesh sir after seeing my audition and asked why he sent my audition. Anubhav sir is happy and says he can’t ignore it. The thing is, because I’ve been doing comedy for fifteen years, the audience shouldn’t laugh when they see me for the first time. They don’t necessarily think this character will be funny. Mukesh sir says to him if the actor has cracked the audition as per your requirement then who else will give him another chance than you? Anubhav sir locked me in to play the role and I think I did justice to the role.
How happy are you with the audience response?
I was overwhelmed. My eyes became moist as I received such a response after almost fifteen years. I got that feedback when I appeared on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge where I got a standing ovation in the first episode. Such an incident has happened after fifteen years. My DM is full of messages. People who don’t follow me have messaged me. Gajraj Rao ordered me. Kumud Mishra called me but I couldn’t pick up the phone so he left a nice voicemail. I then called him and he praised me. He said, “Rajiv, I didn’t know you could do this kind of role.” When people like this talk about my performance, it means I’ve done something right. Dia Mirza sent me a message on Instagram. I have seen her on the big screen in Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein. I called my friends to make them jealous and said, “Tum chahe America mein reh lo, ya Australia mein reh lo, jitne chahe paise kaya lo, lekin Dia Mirza message me aaya hai.”
Are you planning to change your track?
I have done some work in Punjabi films. I am playing the lead role in Kanjoos Majnu Kharchili Laila (2023) which is a rom-com family drama. It received a good response for that type of small film. I think after IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, people might check out that movie. I play a gray character in Zindagi Zindabad (2023). There is one more film which is ready but not yet released. I played an important role in the thriller which also had Vinay Pathak, Anupriya Goenka and Vikram Kochchar.
Describe the first day of shooting in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack?
I have worked hard on this show. I toured with Kapil Sharma in the US. My dates clashed with the IC shoot. I used to do Kapil’s shows on Fridays and Saturdays in different cities in America. Then I used to take a flight on Sunday morning and reach India on Monday afternoon. I will take it for IC until Thursday. Took a late night flight back to the US for the show. I traveled up and down from India to the United States. On weekends I used to do comedy in America and on weekdays, I had to do serious characters for IC. I realized that I can switch and turn off.
I followed the director’s brief. I once saw my password captured on the monitor after Anubhav sir okayed it. I thought there would be dubbing after but there was no dubbing. It captures the sound of synchronization. I modulate my voice according to the character and the gradual changes that occur in his voice due to being on the plane for hours. Because I was going back and forth between India and America, my voice was heavy. The weariness also took its toll on the character. I think God made a way for me. I’m a little worried because I haven’t done a workshop for this character yet. I’m afraid I’m going to waste a golden opportunity like this.
What do you think about the controversy surrounding the series?
I followed the director’s brief. I don’t think it’s controversial.
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