Shahab Ali, famous for his villainous role as Sajid in The Family Man, wants to hold a rose in his next venture

National School of Drama graduate Shahab Ali, who shot to recognition with his role in The Family Man, plays the antagonist in the MX Original series’ Ek Thi Begum 2. The Delhi-born actor who began his journey in acting by doing theatre is playing another complex character in the revenge drama.

Speaking to the Indian Express, he said that his character in the series, Shaqeel Ansari is a bit different from Sajid of The Family Man. His director Sachin Darekar spelt out the distinctiveness of Shaqeel, as someone who is stone faced too but slow in his speaking, since the show unfolds in the ’80s. Shahab added that the body language and style of walking get impacted by the pace for a character too.

He also noted that the two shows are markedly different in their ‘detailing and treatment, and style of action.’ “The Family Man was more realistic, Ek This Begum is more dramatic. The style of action is also different,” he said.

The actor who has a decade of experience firmly believes in prepping and doing his homework before getting into the act on screen, even if he is giving an audition. Having joined the well-received series midway, he said that it was his task to blend into the story and find a connect with the audience.

ALSO READ: Ek Thi Begum 2 series review: Anuja Sathe and Hitesh Bojraj’s performances make the show compelling 

For Shahab, performing action scenes in Ek Thi Begum 2, was not as difficult as smoking. It was challenging for him since he is a non-smoker, he said. He shared that he practised to hold the cigarette properly. Although he wishes to act in different roles, his responsibility to pick good roles is limited by the choices that come his way. And most of all, he said that he wished to break free from the antagonistic roles. “Next time, I want a red rose in hand. I want to play something romantic,” said the actor.

Ek Thi Begum 2 has Anusha Sathe reprising her role as the protagonist Ashraf Bhatkar, who is on beast mode to avenge the death of her husband by his rivals in the underworld. Shahab’s Shaqeel is a new entrant in her story and tries to get the better of Ashraf.