Actor Prakash Raj discusses his Hindi web series ‘Mukhbir – The Story of a Spy’ and why he enjoys diversifying projects in different formats and languages
Actor Prakash Raj discusses his Hindi web series ‘Mukhbir – The Story of a Spy’ and why he enjoys diversifying projects in different formats and languages
“Things are boring,” jokes multi-hyphenate genius Prakash Raj, with a deadpan expression, settling down in Hyderabad to discuss his new project, the Hindi web series. Informant – Story of a Detective, which will soon stream on Zee5. For this actor-director-producer, who takes on projects across languages and formats, life is far from monotonous. He’ll admit it later and discuss it, but first, informer He has attention.
The web series is based on India emerging from the 1962 Indo-China war. An adaptation of Malloy Krishna Dhar’s book Mission to Kashmir: An intelligent agent in Pakistan, The spy drama is Prakash Raj’s third web series to be streamed on Zee5, following Anantham (Tamil) and firing in alair (Telugu).
“I love going back in time before I was born and being a part of a story that tells what my country has gone through. It’s much more than a spy or war drama; it’s about fighting for the country.” It’s also about the war within everyone,” he says, “a spy is an unsung hero.”
long format stories
When he read the script for the series directed by Shivam Nair and Jayaprad Desai, Prakash Raj says he liked what was said between the lines as much as the bigger picture. The actor plays the role of officer SKS Murthy who identifies and guides a man (Zain Khan Durrani) who will become a spy. “Murthy is an officer who has risen from a low rank and has the ability to think out of the box. He is simple, witty, practical and always mentally alert. He can do things,” he says.
He mentioned how it was filmed in Mumbai, Kullu-Manali and Punjab and that efforts were made to portray the skyline appropriate for the 1960s and 70s. Prakash Raj says, “An officer from that era communicated differently and had different vehicles and gadgets… in character detail.”
Prakash Raj with Adil Hussain in the web series ‘Mukhbir’. photo credit: special arrangement
even when he talks informer And the freedom of storytelling in a web series, Prakash Raj is reminded of his mentor K Balachander’s Tamil television series Kailavu Mansu in the 1990s. “KB sir used to say that for a television project, he was free to film whatever he wrote. It is liberating not to think of beginning, middle and end within 2.5 hours. Some stories take longer to unfold and viewers are now ready to watch 12-13 hours of a well-told story.
Prakash Raj doesn’t mind audiences who can stop, walk and return to watch digital series as opposed to watching with undivided attention in movie halls. “One can keep one book, do other things, and come back if interested in the story. That’s how I approach web series.”
When he starred in an episode of the anthology movie Pava Kathaigal Directed by Vetrimaaran, which began streaming during the pandemic, he says the audience response was “superb”. “That story impressed me a lot. After the third day of filming, I burst into tears. That (father) character is not the person I really am; And Sai Pallavi is a brilliant actress. stories like Pava Kathaigal either kanchivaram (Tamil, 2008, which won Prakash Raj the National Award for Best Actor) There are harsh truths that need to be told.”
Prakash Raj in web series ‘Mukhbir’ | photo credit: special arrangement
He said, “An actor’s life is beautiful and I am blessed. Over the years, I was part of 12 to 15 different projects,” says Prakash Raj, adding that he warmly welcomes his work in different languages. As the father of Pramukh Sandeep Unnikrishnan. major (Telugu-Hindi), as a cop and troubled father thiruchitrambalam (Tamil) and Emperor Sundara as Chojhar ponniyin selvan (Tamil), among many other projects.
He further added, “I have written a story which I want to direct soon. I have also directed the Hindi adaptation of Un Samayal Arayil (Tadka) Starring Nana Patekar and Taapsee Pannu). ” Post informer season one, there will be ponniyin selvan-2, Vijay movie heirsu, Two Malayalam films and one Hindi film as well.
investing in art
In the past, directing and producing would have strained his finances. “Thankfully, I’m rich enough to reinvest in my craft and art. Seerathu Vaikira Alavukku Pichaikaran Kidayadhu, Konjam Selavu Panara Alavukku Panakaran (I am not poor enough to just save, I am rich enough to spend a little),” he says.
Prakash Raj says that cinema is a small part of his life. Family, farming, theatre, books and music take up the rest of his time. “I am Sundara Chojhar one day and the next day, I am inaugurating a seed festival and talking to scientists about farming and food. I am also proofreading my second book, which will be published soon All these experiences enrich life.” The truth, he insists, is “life is never dull. And I never get tired or bored.”
(informant) Will stream on Zee5 from 11th November)