I started hating myself while playing Kasab: Sanjeev Jaiswal

Kasab was hanged in November last year for his role in Mumbai attacks, in which 166 people were killed.


Ians March 07, 2013
Kasab was hanged in November last year for his role in Mumbai attacks, in which 166 people were killed.

MUMBAI: Actor Sanjeev Jaiswal, who portrayed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the sole surviving gunman of the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai terror attack in the movie "The Attacks of 26/11", has revealed that he started loathing himself while shooting for the film.

"I want to confess that I also hate Kasab as much as the whole of India. But for me, it was only like I have to just act," Sanjeev said at a press conference here Wednesday.

"While portraying the character of Kasab, I hated myself," said the actor and added that he was thinking, "What is happening? And what the hell did this person do?"

Kasab was hanged in November last year for his role in the terror attacks, in which 166 people were killed.

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, "The Attacks of 26/11", which also features Nana Patekar as Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police, released March 1.

As an actor Sanjeev is happy with the response to his character.

"As a character, people are hating it but liking me as an actor. They are appreciating my work. While watching the movie, they are abusing me, throwing chappals (slippers) on the screen. So, as an actor that is a compliment for me," he said.

"I didn't know that people are going to react this way. But I was prepared for it as the character is such," he added.

COMMENTS (2)

Someone | 11 years ago | Reply

9/11.....11/26.... imitate much?

More to the point.... it's not at all uncommon for actors doing an intense role portraying someone "evil" to be affected by it. Heath Ledger was said to be severely affected by simply playing Joker, not a real life character. I can only imagine how actors portraying Hitler must feel when filming....

Deepwater | 11 years ago | Reply

If you were an imbecile and allowed yourself to be brainwashed, then the role would not have been as difficult.

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