Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub – There is a lot of discrimination in Bollywood! Rolls are distributed on the basis of colour, language and clothes.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in conversation with our colleague ETimes also recalled the struggle phase of his career. Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub told how many times he was not praised even for good work. Although then there were occasions where he did not deserve praise, but he was appreciated. But Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub used to find it difficult to play a supporting character when the actor standing in front of him felt inferior to him. According to the actor, he felt very bad.
If the director would have suggested for the role, he would have refused
Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub when asked why he was being typecast in rural roles before ‘Scoop’? Whereas in the urban character of ‘Scoop’, he is quite frozen. In response Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub said, ‘It is really strange that I have never got a chance to play an urban and sophisticated character before. I would often suggest some changes to make the character more interesting. But the director refused saying that let it be as it is. You are playing the character of a certain class.
Hansal Mehta and Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub on the sets of Scoop. Photo: Insta/mohdzeeshanayyub
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‘Racism and class is a big problem in the industry’
Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub further said, ‘There is a big problem of class and racism in our industry and society. We are divided into different classes according to the color of our skin. But why? I don’t know why. But it is. Even now directors think that oh man, how to give English speaking character to Zeeshan. Since I give most of my interviews in Hindi, they think that I do not know English. Then casting director Mukesh Chhabra and director Hansal Mehta of ‘Scoop’ had to go and tell people that brother, he knows English.
Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub with Dhanush in the film Raanjhanaa. Photo: ETimes
Judges on color, language and clothes
But why are people so judgemental? On being asked this, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub said, ‘I don’t know why. But they are. They judge you by your clothes and language. I cannot tell everyone that I prefer to speak in Hindi. It’s my first language. Since I work in the Hindi film industry, I chose Hindi as my primary language. Apart from this, the characters that I did in the beginning of my career were such that were connected to the heart and the land. You get typecast in this industry. I am really grateful to Mukesh Chhabra and Hansal sir for finally believing what I have always been saying that I can play urbane and sophisticated characters. I think there is a lack of imagination in our industry right now.
Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub made his debut in 2011
Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub made his acting debut in 2011 with the film ‘No One Killed Jessica’. Since then he has done many films including ‘Raanjhanaa’, ‘Tanu Weds Manu’, ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’, ‘Jannat 2’ and ‘Shahid’. His web series ‘Scoop’ was released on 2 June.
