10 July,2022 07:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu
Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, Zenobia Shroff and Iman Vellani in Ms Marvel
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It was in August 2020 that Mohan Kapur received a script sent by his Los Angeles agent. Amid the first lockdown, the actor found himself toying with the idea of auditioning for the role of Yusuf Khan, the protagonist's father in Ms Marvel. "I thought it's too big a project and I may not get it," he chuckles. But Kapur knew he had to give the MCU offering a shot. "It took 15-20 days for them to get back [after the audition]. We got the script only when we reached Atlanta for the shoot. It was an interesting concept - a Pakistani immigrant family in New Jersey and how their daughter realises she has superpowers."
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From the cast's performance to the engaging storyline, the Iman Vellani-led series has been widely praised. Its biggest win is the beautiful depiction of South Asian culture. "From language to customs to clothes, the motifs have been included across episodes. We are lucky to be cast in a show of this nature. The casting was so well-done - I am from Mumbai, Zenobia [Shroff] who plays my wife is from here too, and Iman is a Pakistani from Canada. We didn't need to explain to each other the dos and don'ts. I was, however, guided by someone on how the prayers are performed at the mosque." Kapur credits writer-creator Bisha K Ali and executive producer Sana Amanat for building a relatable universe, adding that his character is based loosely on Amanat's father.
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"She mentions that I, as Yusuf, am way more adorable than her father," he laughs.
The show revels in celebrating South Asian culture. It's heartening to watch Pakistani characters discuss their love for Shah Rukh Khan. Does he see it as a symbol of how India and Pakistan are united by art? "The reference to SRK and his movies is a lovely moment because all of us relate to it. The series puts a message out there in a Hollywood production. There are more authentic stories from the region. The fact that I have been cast as a Pakistani is beautiful. This is a textbook case of what representation means. I hope people start encouraging crossover talent. I pray for the day art is not viewed through the world's political boundaries."
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