Latest news with #Shafeeq
The Hindu
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Malayalam actor Shafeeq Mustafa on becoming Sivarasan in ‘The Hunt - The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case'
Actor Shafeeq Mustafa is a revelation in the Nagesh Kukunoor web series The Hunt —The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case. As the mercurial Sivarasan, the mastermind behind the 1991 assassination of the former prime minister, Shafeeq impresses in his breakout role. The Kochi-based actor is visibly happy over the outcome and the feedback coming his way from industry peers. For the 35 year-old self-taught actor who hails from Shoranur, the role was way beyond his wildest dreams. It came via a friend who told him about a production house that needed a South Indian actor. A round of auditions later, which included a dummy scene-and-look test, he was in. He is still excited about having got the opportunity to work with a director like Nagesh Kukunoor. 'It is an honour for me to work with someone like Nagesh sir. It is not like I am an established actor, I am trying to build a career for myself in films, and to get to work with him…I have given it my best shot!' His experience by way of a feature film is the 2020 film Ayyappanum Koshyum, in which he had a few scenes. Sivarasan's character as shown in the web series is complex, intelligent and cunning. He has an air of quiet resolve mingled with arrogance all of which Shafeeq has been able to translate onscreen without going over the top. Since Shafeeq was barely a year old when the events depicted in the series took place, he had a clean slate on which to draw the character. 'While part of my research came from documentaries, interviews about him, news reports, and photographs, the rest of it came from talking to people who lived through those times, especially journalists. This way I could try to get into the mind of the character,' Shafeeq says. Nagesh's inputs were of great help, he adds, in shaping the character per his vision. 'I had not read 90 Days (Anirudhya Mitra's book, the series is based on) I did not know the length of my character… I did not know too much about The Hunt. I gave it a shot because it felt unlike anything I'd encountered in my career so far, even though I am just starting out.') Of the challenges of essaying Sivarasan, the Sri Lankan dialect of Tamil aside, he says it was physically demanding. 'The prosthetic eye was a literal pain in the eye. It was so painful that often my eye would start watering. It was, literally, placing a foreign object in the eye and sometimes it would pop out. That was the actual difficult part. Nagesh sir would apologise about the discomfort…Imagine someone of his stature doing that!' Though Shafeeq has not learnt acting, he was involved in theatre while in school. He came to Kochi, pursued his cinema dreams dabbling in different departments including editing and as an assistant director. 'These were all my friends, so I could be around films, a part of movies!' Although he does not have too many feature films under his belt, he has been part of a few, including the noteworthyThiruttu Mundam. The film, directed by Renjith Vijayan, was an official selection at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK 2023). He does not know what comes next, but for now he is savouring the moment and the feedback from people such as Ahammed Khabeer, director of Kerala Crime Files, who told him that his performance was 'honest and essayed with absolute integrity.' The Hunt - The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case is streaming on SonyLiv
India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
The Hunt actor Shafeeq Mustafa on playing Sivarasan, understanding LTTE politics
For Malayalam actor Shafeeq Mustafa, landing the role of Sivarasan in SonyLIV's 'The Hunt - The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination' was more than just a career breakthrough - it was validation of a long-cherished dream that began in school dramas and survived a three-year stint in the series, based on the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has brought Shafeeq widespread recognition for his portrayal of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) operative. "The response to 'The Hunt' was phenomenal, and many complimented my performance as Sivarasan in the show. Some of them even said, 'you're going to stay here'. I feel so happy and relieved," he shared in his exclusive interview with India Today director Nagesh Kukunoor offered him the role, Shafeeq knew the opportunity was significant. "I knew that there will be a lot of scope for me as an actor and that I should perform well. I should be genuine to the role offered to me. I was lucky to work with Nagesh [Kukunoor] sir. That was my initial thought," he remarked. The physical transformation for the role was intense - Shafeeq had to gain 5-6 kilograms in just 20 days. "I had only 20 days from the day I got selected for the role and the first day of shooting. Nagesh sir told me that I needed to put on weight for the role. I could manage only 5-6 kgs," he costume requirements proved equally challenging: "I had to wear lenses and prosthetics for the role of Sivarasan. If you wear that for a long time, your eyes get irritated and start getting watery. That was the most difficult part of wearing the one-eyed get up." To prepare for the complex role, Shafeeq immersed himself in research. "Before 'The Hunt', I had watched 'Deepan' at IFFK (International Film Festival of Kerala). I also watched Madhavan's 'Kannathil Muthamittal'. I hadn't watched any other films on Rajiv Gandhi's case. But, I saw the videos, documentaries and news clips from that time. I also watched the interviews of LTTE. I had deep conversations with my friends in the media."The collaboration with veteran director Nagesh Kukunoor was a learning experience. "Nagesh sir used to teach me how to emote for every scene. If I had performed a different way, he would explain to me what he wanted. I had most scenes with South actors and the experience was enjoyable. Everyone helped me,' he on his experience, Shafeeq noted that while the suicide scene was his favourite during filming, "When I watched the show on the screen, it was the gun shooting scene that made go wow." The series has not only established him as a serious actor but also fulfilled a long-time dream. "It was my long-time dream to become an actor. I want to do it as long as possible."Shafeeq maintained a clear distinction between his craft and politics. When asked if he had developed any opinion on Sivarasan and the functioning of the LTTE, he said, "My sole aim was to do the character [of Sivarasan] properly. I am an actor first, so I did not form any opinion on politics involved. I wanted to perform the character to the best of my abilities."advertisementShafeeq's path to acting wasn't straightforward. Recalling the time he decided to pursue acting as a career, he stated, "When I was in school, I was a part of many dramas. I then worked in the Gulf for three years. A few of my friends were into movies. One of my friends, who was trying to become a director, advised me to stay there as I had the skill. In 2015, I came back to Kerala and, since then, I have been trying my hand at Malayalam movies."Before 'The Hunt', his filmography included small roles in the Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum, short films, and music videos. He explained, "This was my first big opportunity. Before 'The Hunt', I played small roles in the Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum, short films and music videos. When I was trying hard to get into movies, I received this opportunity. So, I had no thoughts. Nagesh sir and his team are the reason for me to pick this. I was not hesitant."advertisementWith 'The Hunt' behind him, Shafeeq is being selective about future projects. Explaining his decision, he said, "I had acted in an independent film, but I am not sure if it will have a theatrical release. I am in talks for more projects, but hasn't finalised anything as of now. But, I have made a decision that I should start choosing my characters properly. My friends have been advising me to choose my roles carefully from now on."His ambitions extend beyond regional cinema: "I want to act in Malayalam, Tamil and all languages. I am open to doing all roles, be it a character role or a lead."'The Hunt' is streaming on SonyLIV.- Ends
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
After Operation Sindoor: Underground emergency cum operation theatre to come up at Poonch dist hospital
The Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to construct an underground emergency cum operation theatre and critical care centre at Poonch district hospital - a first of its kind facility in J&K. The government has sent a proposal for approval of construction for an underground emergency, critical care facility and operation theatre. (HT Photo) The move comes after the recent cross-border shelling by Pakistan in the biggest border district of Poonch in May during Operation Sindoor, that left 16 persons dead. The government has sent a proposal for approval of construction for an underground emergency, critical care facility and operation theatre. Officials said if everything goes as per plan, the 200 bed hospital will become the first medical facility in J&K having underground facilities which will be utilised during exigency or war like situation. Medical superintendent district hospital, Poonch, Dr Shafeeq, said that during four days of shelling in March the doctors helped every injured patient. 'Almost all the patients were treated here. Only a few injured were shifted to Jammu Medical College. We have almost all facilities and staff to deal with such emergencies.' He, however, said that the government had big plans to re-equip the district hospital in Poonch. 'A proposal has been sent to upgrade the district hospital with an underground emergency, OT and staff accommodation. Even bullet proof ambulances are on cards. I am very much hopeful this project or infrastructure development will be completed within two years.' He said the hospital has around 200 staff members, including 35 doctors. 'Here are 15 posts of doctors vacant which will also be filled.' The locals acknowledged that when district officers, even head of the district, left the Poonch town towards safer places, the doctors and other medical staff were present in the hospital, however the lack of equipment was the biggest impediment. 'Our district hospital doesn't have a ventilator. My husband, after receiving splinters along with his brother, walked into the hospital and died two hours later. Sometimes, I think better equipment and facilities could have saved my husband. The doctors were present in hospital but they lacked the latest equipment,' said Harpreet Kaur whose husband Amarjit Singh succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Gulzar Ahmad, who owns a shop outside the hospital, said the recent shelling is a warning that our district hospital should be well equipped... 'The hospital despite being decades old has many shortcomings. After all top political leaders, including home minister, Amit Shah J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi visited Poonch and interacted with locals there is a ray of hope the facilities and infrastructure will be upgraded.' Medical superintendent, however, said they had put 12 ambulances in service during four days of shelling. 'We treated dozens of injured persons and shifted only a few people to higher centres. The medical staff without caring for their saved others.'
