The Hunt actor Shafeeq Mustafa: From a small role in Prithviraj Sukumaran’s film to the antagonist in Nagesh Kukunoor’s series

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Shafeeq Mustafa traces his journey from a small role in Prithviraj's Ayyappanum Koshiyum to the villain in Nagesh Kukunoor's The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination

Shafeeq Mustafa in Nagesh Kukunoor’s series, Ayyappanum Koshiyum

For Shafeeq Mustafa, from the small town of Shoranur in Kerala’s Palakkad district, getting a role in Nagesh Kukunoor’s series, The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case was nothing short of a golden opportunity. He just has one mainstream Malayalam film to his credit, and was also a part of another film that never saw the light of day. The only big project that Shafeeq was associated with before the 2025 Hindi series was the 2020 Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran.

In the Hindi series The Hunt (SonyLiv and OTTplay Premium), the Malayalam actor played the real-life character of Sivarasan, an LTTE operative and the mastermind behind the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister. In an exclusive conversation with OTTplay, Shafeeq Mustafa talks about his breakthrough role, working with the noted filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor, the challenges he faced while playing Sivarasan, the appreciation he has been getting from the likes of Malayalam director Ahammed Khabeer and more.

You play Sivarasan in the series. Can you tell us how you came on board the Hindi series?

I was cast in the series by a Mumbai-based company, Casting Bay. They were on the lookout for actors from the South, and a common friend suggested my name. After I sent my photo that kind of matched this character, they gave me a dummy scene to record. There was also a look test in Mumbai. That's how I became a part of this series.

This is a breakthrough role for you as it is a mainstream Hindi series, helmed by Nagesh Kukunoor. Your thoughts

This is one of the biggest opportunities for a small actor like me, who is just surviving in the industry. I am really happy. I believe I have tried my best so that no bad name was brought to both Nagesh sir and me.

Also read: The Hunt review: Nagesh Kukunoor crafts a slow-burn manhunt with haunting precision

How has been the response?

I have been getting messages of appreciation from friends and family, even from the Malayalam industry. Kerala Crime Files Season 2 director Ahammed Khabeer had messaged, among others. Telugu producer Rishi had also messaged.

Your experience of working with acclaimed Nagesh Kukunoor and the overall on the series

It was a really good experience. This is the first time that I am working on such a huge project. I mostly worked with the actors from the South. We really bonded well and worked together as a team. Our characters are also a team within the series. Nagesh Kukunoor sir, of course, is such a big director, and when we are standing on the other side, there is nothing to be afraid of.

Also read: Nagesh Kukunoor on The Hunt: 'It's constant to do something I have not done before; my only keeda in life' | Exclusive

Since this series is based on a real-life person, how did you prepare for the role?

Yes, I had done research on him. I looked up the videos, articles, and interviews for this group. I also have some journalist friends who are well-read, and conversations with them also helped me to better understand this character. What I mainly tried to understand was the emotion of this character, who appeared to be intelligent. I was trying to grasp that.

What was the biggest challenge you faced while playing Sivarasan.

The biggest challenge was to get the Sri Lankan Tamil right. I am a Malayali, and I have not worked in other languages as well, to be honest. I am thinking in Malayalam, but I need to voice the thoughts in Tamil - that was the biggest challenge. Some words are really difficult to pronounce. We need to practise it well the night before. That dialect is different from the Chennai Tamil, so I had special coaching for that. While performing the scene, we also had the language trainer Raja, who really helped.

Using the fake eye was also a problem (Sivarasan had lost his left eye). When you put it on for short durations, it is fine. But when you have to wear it for a long time, it causes irritation. Despite these, I believe it has not affected the performance.

Could you tell us more about your journey in the industry?

I used to participate in plays in my childhood, like from class 5, and also attend events like Keralotsavam. Then I worked in the Gulf for three years, but during that time, my friends became part of films, short films. So when I returned, I joined them in assisting short films, spot editing and all. As I don’t have any institute background, so this is how I got to learn. I was also part of music videos.

I even got a role in Ayyappanum Koshiyum, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Biju Menon. I am part of the lodge scene when Ayyappan and Koshi lock horns. My character, Suni, also has dialogues in that. I also did another Malayalam film around 2019. I performed a role, and was also one of the associates and the casting director. But the film did not release, I don’t know why.

Your upcoming projects

Discussions are just happening. Nothing is confirmed to say it officially. I only want to act, whether it is in films or series. This is all that I know to make a living.

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