Exclusive: Mee Raqsam Actor Danish Husain Tells Us Why It Was Easy For Him To Get Into The Character Of A Father
Danish Husain plays the role of Salim, the antagonist and the rebel father who fights against society to protect his daughter and her dreams.
ZEE5’s latest blockbuster addition Mee Raqsam is all set to release on August 21. This film depicts a father-daughter bond in a very special way. The rebellious father asks his daughter to follow her passion for training in the classical dance. They face resistance but the father does not back off! The strong and dynamic role of this rebellious father is played by the actor Danish Husain. Danish is also a writer, poet, TEDx speaker, and comedian. He was previously seen in films like Dhobi Ghat, Welcome 2 Karachi, and Alif. Danish is also a theatre artist and has directed several plays. In an exclusive chat with ZEE5, Danish went on to talk about his role in Mee Raqsam, his future ambitions, and more. Read excerpts from the conversation below.
1. Why did you choose Mee Raqsam?
Danish Husain: Mee Raqsam chose me! Quite literally. I knew Baba Azmi socially and we had met at a few parties, but one fine day, he just walked up to me and said there is a role that I want you to play. I accepted it in a flash of a second and later Baba sir gave me the script that I read on the plane to Australia and accepted as soon as I reached Australia. I was spellbound and felt lucky to have received this opportunity.
2. You have been a director yourself so was there ever a moment when you thought that no this shouldn’t be this way?
Danish Husain: When I am an actor, I do the task my director wants me to. And that said, Mee Raqsam being Baba sir’s directorial debut, he was still brilliant at it. His explanations of the scenes and narrations were perfect and I did not feel the need to meddle with the direction at all.
3. How was it working with Naseer sir and Baba Azmi sir?
Danish Husain: I hold Naseer sir on a pedestal. I was nervous when I came to know that I would be working with him. But he is the least intimidating person I have ever met. He is a great actor and still has no air of ego around him. There is a very interesting anecdote regarding Naseer sir’s journey in Mee Raqsam. When we had finalised him for the role, his health deteriorated and he had to take a few days bed rest. Baba and I brainstormed about who can replace Naseeruddin Shah in the film, but then Baba decided that no one can take Naseer sir’s place. And miraculously, Naseer sir’s health condition improved.
4. What is one of your most memorable moments from the shoot?
Danish Husain: We shot at the small town of Mijwan. The temperature there is about 5 degrees centigrade in the morning. And when we went to the town, there was no proper five-star accommodation. But then we adjusted and Baba helped us get settled before the shooting schedule of 45 days began. The film was shot in Aditi Subedi’s real home and it was a fantastic and realistic experience. The food, organic air, and everything still stay fresh in my mind.
5. Tell us more about your character!
Danish Husain: My character of Salim, is the protagonist of the film. Salim is a very protective father, but he also wishes to help his daughter achieve her dreams and fulfil her passion of becoming a trained classical dancer. With the backdrop of a resistant society and the love of a father, the character took its own shape. It was not really difficult transitioning into Salim because I am also a father of a daughter about Aditi’s age and I could feel the emotions Salim felt in the film.
6. You have worked in comedy as well as serious film genres. which is your favourite or what do you want to try out next?
Danish Husain: There is no favourite genre as such. I an artist and I can be moulded into the kind of shape the character and the film demand.
7. What is your take on the conservative and patriarchal Indian society?
Danish Husain: I think that more films like Mee Raqsam should be promoted as the Indian patriarchal society needs to bid adieu. Women must get their fair share of opportunities. As and when we speak of women, they are the other gender, they amass about 50% of the share and they should rightfully ask for it!
8. On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you for Mee Raqsam?
Danish Husain: As you grow older, you will realise that the excitement is not about how much your film earns monetarily but how much appreciation it garners!
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