Apolitical point
| Date :20-Jun-2019 |
Mohit Raina, who is basking in the good reception to his first web series Kaafir that is set in Kashmir, says as a professional actor he keeps his political views aside. Born and brought up in Jammu, Mohit is well-versed with the socio-political situation in Kashmir. Asked if the knowledge helped him to understand the story better, Mohit told IANS: “Yes, it is true that I am well aware of the situation there in Kashmir... therefore, people’s mind... I would understand the loss and prayers that they believe…but that did not help me in understanding the character really, I followed the narration.” “Being a professional actor, I am supposed to keep my political views aside.
I did that.” “My character should not depict my individual belief; rather subtly deliver the message of the story. As an actor, I must not forget that I am working on a very impressionable and influential medium of entertainment,” he explained. The story of the show revolves around a woman named Kainaaz Akhtar (actress Dia Mirza) who is a Pakistani imprisoned in Kashmir and is accused of being a militant. She also delivers a girl in the jail.
Mohit, on the other hand, is playing the character of an Indian journalist, Vedant. “Despite all the conflicts over there, every morning people wake up with a hope to have a beautiful day. People in the valley believe in the power of prayer, the only factor drives them, or perhaps all of us, is that ek din sab kuch theek ho jayega (one day things will be fine),” Mohit shared. He had shot to fame by playing Mahadev in the TV show Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev. He also appeared in shows like Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat and 21 Sarfarosh - Saragarhi 1897. His performance in the film Uri - The Surgical Strike alongside Vicky Kaushal got him much appreciation.
“I started as a model and went on to acting on television. Since I managed to make my mark there as an actor, for me, the natural progression was to try my luck in films. Of course, I am doing that but at the same time, I will explore this platform of digital entertainment that did not exist 10 years ago,” he said. “For an actor, more than proving versatility, what excites are stories and characters that are unexplored. “When I heard the story of Kaafir, I got excited not because it is a web series and will reach out to so many countries at the same time…I did the story because the character is layered and very interesting, something I have never done,” added Mohit. Written by Bhavani Iyer and directed by Sonam Nair, Kaafir started streaming on ZEE5 from June 15.