Latest news with #MukeshRishi
News18
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Mukesh Rishi On Playing Negative Role In Salakaar: ‘We Follow Director's Orders'
Last Updated: Helmed by Faruk Kabir, the spy-thriller web series is based on the life of India's most respected intelligence officer, Ajit Doval. Salakaar, the spy-thriller web series inspired by the life of India's renowned intelligence officer Ajit Doval, is now streaming on JioHotstar. Directed by Faruk Kabir, the show stars Naveen Kasturia, Mouni Roy, and veteran actor Mukesh Rishi in lead roles. It has been widely praised for its gripping storyline, strong performances. As the show continues to win hearts, actor Mukesh Rishi recently opened up in an interview about portraying the negative role of Pakistani Army Chief Zia-Ul-Haq. Mukesh Rishi On Playing The Antagonist In Salakaar Speaking to IANS, the veteran actor shared how he infused cruelty in the character. He said, 'When you have this type of character, a lot of things fall in your favour. The look the producers provided me, the kurta that the costume designer gave me, when you have this type of character, it begins to form within you." He added, 'That is why you are in films; you realise how vicious the character must be, so we follow the director's commands. As an actor, the words you hear help you sketch out and represent the character for the camera. If the director instructs me to lower the pitch of the character by a few degrees, I do so. It becomes easier." 'Many times, your attire and the environment in which you perform. The vehicle in which the director ordered me sit. The scene within my house, the books Zia read, and the overall setting transported me there; I didn't have to do much. The lines on the paper were telling me," said Mukesh. Salakaar Storyline And Plot The show depicts two significant timelines, 1978 and 2025, and follows the story of an Indian agent's secret mission to uncover a nuclear facility in Pakistan. It explores themes of loyalty, patriotism, and sacrifice. Mukesh Rishi's Filmography Coming back to Mukesh, known for his negative roles, he has been a part of several big-budget films, including Ghatak, Ram Aur Shyam, Naseeb, Sarfarosh, Arjun Pandit, Khiladi 420, Jodi No. 1, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin, Gaya, Khiladi 786 and others. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Faruk Kabir shares he didn't take Mukesh Rishi's look test before casting him for 'Salakaar'
Director Faruk Kabir , whose recently released streaming series ' Salakaar ' has shared that he did not do the look test of actor Mukesh Rishi before casting him as the antagonist. 'Salakaar' is a period spy drama-thriller and alternates between two timelines, the 1970s and 2025. It follows the story of an Indian spy, who is tailing the nuclear weapon development in India's arch-nemesis, Pakistan. Mukesh Rishi essays the role of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq , the Pakistani dictator who escalated his country's atomic bomb project. Faruk spoke with IANS and said that he was more than confident about casting Mukesh Rishi for the role of Zia, and how he would fit the part. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK -Kalyani LivingTree, KIADB, Pay 10%, 0 EMI for 1 Year* Kalyani Developers Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola Talking about the same, Faruk told IANS, "I would like to say two things about Mukesh Sir's casting. We didn't do Mukesh sir's look test because I was very sure it's going to be him, who will play Zia. I had decided. We didn't do anything before we finalised him. We did the look test after the confirmation and the paperwork." "And the second thing, we even asked for a mojadi for Mukesh sir. The mojadi was such that whenever he would walk, it would make a chirping sound. And he would feel it while walking, and the whole set would feel it," he added. Zia-ul-Haq is the bedrock of most of India's problems. He was the second Pakistani dictator after General Ayub Khan. He gave a definitive form to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's plan of "Bleed India by a thousand cuts", a thousand-year war declared against India for Pakistan's own interest. Later, Zia got Zulfikar Ali Bhutto framed in a case and got the death penalty approved for him through hand-picked judges. His political actions are largely responsible for the current-day geopolitical tensions in Southeast Asia. He instituted industrialisation and deregulation, which significantly improved Pakistan's economy. In 1979, following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Zia adopted an anti-Soviet stance and aided the Afghan mujahideen. He bolstered ties with China and the United States.
News18
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Faruk Kabir Cast Mukesh Rishi In Salakaar Without A Look Test
Director Faruk Kabir cast Mukesh Rishi as Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in 'Salakaar' without a look test. The series is a period spy drama set in the 1970s and 2025. Director Faruk Kabir, whose recently released streaming series 'Salakaar', has shared that he did not do the look test of actor Mukesh Rishi before casting him as the antagonist. 'Salakaar' is a period spy drama-thriller, and alternates between two timelines, the 1970s and 2025. It follows the story of an Indian spy, who is tailing the nuclear weapon development in India's arch-nemesis, Pakistan. Mukesh Rishi essays the role of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the Pakistani dictator, who escalated his country's atomic bomb project. Faruk spoke with IANS, and said that he was more than confident on casting Mukesh Rishi for the role of Zia, and how he would fit the part. Talking about the same, Faruk told IANS, 'I would like to say two things about Mukesh sir's casting, we didn't do Mukesh sir's look test because I was very sure it's going to be him, who will play Zia. I had decided We didn't do anything before we finalised him. We did the look test after the confirmation and the paperwork". 'And the second thing, we even asked for a mojadi for Mukesh sir. The mojadi was such that whenever he would walk, it would make a chirping sound. And, he would feel it while walking And the whole set would feel it", he added. Zia-ul-Haq is the bedrock of most of India's problems. He was the second Pakistani dictator after General Ayub Khan. He gave a definitive form to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's plan of 'Bleed India by thousand cuts", a thousand year war declared against India for Pakistan's own interest. Later, Zia got Zulfikar Ali Bhutto framed in a case, and got the death penalty approved for him through hand-picked judges. His political actions are largely responsible for the current day geo-political tensions in southeast Asia. He instituted industrialisation and deregulation, which significantly improved Pakistan's economy. In 1979, following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Zia adopted an anti-Soviet stance and aided the Afghan mujahideen. He bolstered ties with China and the United States. view comments First Published: August 09, 2025, 13:40 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Salakaar Season 1 Review: A riveting tale of silent heroes and loud consequences
Story: In 1978, Adhir Dayal, a daring undercover operative for India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), carries out a high-stakes covert mission targeting Pakistan's secret nuclear facility at Kahuta. But decades later, in 2025, the shadows of that operation resurface as a new conspiracy begins to unfold—one that threatens to rewrite history and reshape the subcontinent's future. Review: Set against the fraught backdrop of Indo-Pak relations in the late 1970s, Salakaar: The Legend of an Extraordinary Indian Spy is a taut espionage drama that juggles historical fiction with present-day intrigue. Directed by Faruk Kabir and inspired by true events, the series traces Pakistan's covert development of a nuclear plant in Kahuta, which was focused on uranium enrichment and a daring Indian attempt to expose it. The show centers around RAW agent Adhir Dayal (Naveen Kasturia), stationed at the Indian embassy in Islamabad. In 1978, he embarks on a dangerous covert mission to uncover Pakistan's nuclear ambitions, a plot spearheaded by the ruthless General Zia Ullah (Mukesh Rishi). Decades later, in 2025, the legacy of that mission comes back into play as Zia's grandson, Colonel Ashfaq Ullah (Surya Sharma), picks up where his grandfather left off—resurrecting a buried conspiracy that threatens geopolitical stability. Salakaar unfolds across two timelines, and the transitions between past and present are handled with flair. The story, penned by Spandan Mishra and Kabir, moves briskly across five hour-long episodes, never losing sight of its core: a spy's quiet patriotism, layered with personal sacrifice, subterfuge, and political stakes. While the narrative successfully blends action, suspense, and historical fiction, it occasionally leans on overly convenient twists—Adhir's escapes often feel too effortless, and some clues fall into place a little too smoothly. Kasturia brings subtle gravitas to Adhir Dayal, especially in the 1978 portions. His physicality and demeanour are well-matched for the era, though certain costume changes—executed implausibly fast in rugged terrain—detract from the otherwise immersive tone. Purnendu Bhattacharya portrays the older Adhir with quiet conviction, providing a solid bridge across timelines. Mouni Roy impresses as the undercover agent Mariam, whose subplot—monitoring Ashfaq Ullah—adds welcome depth. Janhavi Hardas, as embassy staffer Jyothi, delivers a quietly impactful performance that connects both timelines. Mukesh Rishi is reliably menacing as General Zia, and Surya Sharma's portrayal of Ashfaq is both charismatic and brutal, effectively mirroring his grandfather's legacy. Technically, the series is strong. Amar Mohile's background score and Shabbir Ahmed's music—particularly the rousing title track—enhance the show's dramatic beats. Jitan Harmeet Singh's cinematography effectively recreates the 1970s, giving the period sequences an authentic texture without over-stylization. The series refrains from jingoism, focusing instead on the psychological nuances of espionage and the long shadows cast by political decisions. Lines like 'Dahashat inke khoon mein hain, maine aapni aakhon se dekhi hain' (Terror runs in their blood—I've seen it with my own eyes) land with impact, reflecting the series' tone without descending into propaganda. Despite some narrative conveniences and slightly overstretched action sequences, Salakaar remains a compelling watch. It's a slick, engaging spy thriller that pays homage to unsung heroes while maintaining a sense of realism. If you don't look too hard at the seams, there's plenty here to keep you hooked.
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First Post
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
‘Salakaar' web-series review: Mukesh Rishi steals the show, Mouni Roy surprises with her character
The show has its heart in the right place but at least two decades too late. You want to admire the idea but it would be possible only if the year was 2003-04 when we got a sea of such monikers like Zameen, Qayamat, Lakshya, Aan, Khakee, Deewaar read more Cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mukesh Rishi, Surya Sharma, Mouni Roy Director: Faruk Kabir Language: Hindi Salakaar is the new espionage show that has been thrown at us on the streaming platform. It's a show that unites the past and the present, both in terms of its story and star cast. It has the modern-day actor Naveen Kasturia and the veteran Mukesh Rishi, who returns to a ground he once deliciously owned- The villain. This time, he plays a Pakistani general who wants to make a nuclear bomb. The Hero: Love Story of A Spy and Qayamat: City Under Threat, both of which came out in the same year (2003), will really enjoy the company of this series that's directed by Faruk Kabir. He's the filmmaker behind a forgotten franchise called Khuda Haafiz. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Every filmmaker is attempting to have a voice of its own, right from Rohit Shetty with extravagant colours and cars to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's expensive opuses to Mohit Suri's melodies. Kabir's vision seems to be paying homage to the unsung heroes who have to save themselves and the nation together. But his earnestness is marred by a mountain of cliches that should have been moles. So anyone who's captured in Pakistan is brutally tortured. Even their pathos screams sameness. Even the expanse of the show that is Neeraj Pandeyesque fails to absorb us into the world the makers have created. And just like Pandey's own 2018 did Aiyaary, the only thing that catches your attention is the title that we don't hear too often. The show takes a leap of 47 years (1978-2025) and the threat of the nuclear bomb returns. We then get characters like Surya Sharma (the intimidating antagonist of Undekhi and Yeh Kaali Kaal Ankhen) and Mouni Roy. There's a forgettable track to evoke pride and patriotism but some action scenes are niftily executed. The show has its heart in the right place but at least two decades too late. You want to admire the idea, but it would be possible only if the year was 2003-04 when we got a sea of such monikers like Zameen, Qayamat, Lakshya, Aan, Khakee, Deewar. The tagline of the show says The Legend of An Extraordinary Indian Spy with the colours of the Indian Flag. To give credit where it's due, the show at least has a story to tell, unlike some web series that only drag their feet endlessly and fail to find a sure-footed ground. Mouni Roy surprises with her nuanced character, especially when we usually see the actress on social media more often than we see her in films and shows. And it was great to see Mukesh Rishi, but I wonder what would happen if his character from this show ever bumped into Inspector Salim from Sarfarosh. Enough of the spy universe, cop universe and horror comedy universe, this is the universe we need and deserve. Rating: 2.5 (out of 5 stars) Salakaar is now streaming on Jio Hotstar
