Dulquer Salmaan and Sonam Kapoor-starrer The Zoya Factor is all set to release on 20 September. The plot revolves around Zoya, who was born on the same day as Indian cricket team’s first World Cup win in 1983. She begins to be considered a lucky charm for the Indian cricket team. Dulquer’s character Nikhil, on the other hand, is against the idea of lucky charms and superstitions.
The Quint caught up with Angad Bedi who plays the role of Robin Rawal in the film.
What did your dad say about the trailer? Does he like it?
I have not had a chance to speak to him regarding this film. Yeah actually, I have not sent him the trailer. I have to send him the trailer.
Did you and your dad ever discuss across the table about how you should do a film where you play a cricketer’s role?
We discussed a lot on Pink. It’s one of my father’s favourite films. Then we discussed on Inside Edge. But this film, because this is not a cricket film. Cricket happens to be in the backdrop. This is more of a film where you see complex relationships, dynamics between two boys and a girl. It’s got superstitions and love. My character Robin Rawal is extremely high on fashion. He wears the most expensive attire. He’s the superstar of the team. There’s a dynamic between him and Dulquer’s character. Nikhil Khoda and Robin Rawal can’t stand each other’s guts. Robin Rawal wins games single-handedly and then Nikhil Khoda comes and takes over his captaincy. There’s an ex-captain and a current captain. His intentions are good but his way of doing is wrong.
So you’re playing the antagonist in the movie?
See it’s not a protagonist or antagonist. Dynamics of the character is not that of a hero, heroine, and villain. I just feel that we have progressed from that. But then he convinces Zoya to bite the bait and realise how important superstitions are when he doesn’t believe in them.
Are you like that in real life?
No I am very different from Robin’s character. I feel that I was lucky enough to be chosen for Robin’s character because I feel this is something I have never done or approached. For me it’s been a tough role to portray. In your DNA if you don’t have those qualities, it’s difficult to have a reference point. Yes the wardrobe helped. Styling by Abhilasha. She’s lovely and she put forward her best effort. Bharti and Pooja went and literally got all of Karan’s wardrobe and took out the most expensive outfits that Karan Johar ever bought for himself.
And how did the role come to you?
I had read the book five years ago. There was a time when the rights were with Red Chillies with Shah Rukh sir. And I was pursuing it then. Abhishek Sharma the director, Arti, our producer from Adlabs and Pooja Shetty were very gung-ho about the fact that I should do this film. And I wasn’t very convinced initially because I thought this is a role I don’t connect with. Then Abhishek said what’s wrong you’re still not convinced. I said sir I am not able to find my pitch. Where do I pitch this character? How? Then Abhishek on a blackboard took chalk and then wrote 15 points and said this is Robin, this is Robin. He said now in these 15 points you have to find your character. We went through about 6 or 7 rounds of script reading and everything. You know when you’re writing a film, I feel when you write characters the good part is that you don’t put faces to those characters. The minute you put faces there’s a problem because then you start writing for those personalities.
Do you think that whenever they are thinking to do anything with sports they think of you?
You were in Soorma and now this even though cricket is just in the backdrop. Dynamics of the characters is different. What happens is I have agility certainly which is needed to be in a sports film even though this is not a sports film. So I feel even if it was Soorma or even Inside Edge… like if people did love me in Soorma and they enjoyed watching Arwin Vashist as a character in Inside Edge they’ll see a complete different Robin Rawal. So I am looking forward to that reaction. And if that clicks I will be very happy. The thing is I want to get into comedy.
Watch the video to find out more.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)