Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, acclaimed for his powerful supporting roles, has made a mark in Hindi cinema with memorable performances in Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Jannat 2 and Raees. Known for bringing authenticity
to his characters, he has worked alongside Shah Rukh Khan in two films ,a collaboration he says had a profound impact on his life and career.
In a recent conversation with Digital Commentary, Zeeshan opened up about the period when he was on the verge of quitting acting. Feeling typecast into similar roles, he had grown weary of the monotony. “I was bored of playing the same kind of roles,” he shared. “Then I thought, if I have to sign off, I’ll do it with a film alongside Shah Rukh Khan. At least if I retire, I’ll have a film with SRK.”
The Moment SRK Changed Everything
During the filming of Raees, where he played SRK’s friend Sadiq Ibrahim, Ayyub found himself deeply affected by the superstar’s presence. “Kuch toh kiya tha uss aadmi ne, badal diya tha andar se,” he recalled. “Jab unhone mujhe dekha toh scan kar liya tha ki bhut pereshaan hai aur main tha. I was almost on the verge of quitting acting and leaving, thinking I can’t do this anymore.” (It felt as if he had worked some kind of magic — something in me shifted completely. The moment he looked at me, he seemed to instantly recognise the turmoil I was in — and he was right. I was on the brink of walking away from acting altogether, convinced I couldn’t continue any longer).
He described how a simple gesture turned things around. “Unhone haath milaya, toh actually negativity nikal gayi thi. I was like abhi toh bahut kaam karna hai. Unhone rok liya and he made sure ki yahan par kaam kar aur sab badia hoga.” (The moment he shook my hand, it was as if all the negativity drained away. I suddenly felt there was so much more left for me to accomplish. He held me back from leaving and reassured me, saying, ‘Stay here, keep working, everything will turn out fine’).
About Raees:
Raees was a 2017 action drama directed by Rahul Dholakia and jointly produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Excel Entertainment. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Mahira Khan, the film is set in Gujarat during the 1980s and 1990s. It follows the fictional journey of a man who, in a state where alcohol prohibition is strictly enforced, builds a vast empire. The story traces his meteoric rise to power and the personal and professional relationships that shape his path to becoming the most influential figure in Gujarat.
What’s Next for Zeeshan
Zeeshan Ayyub’s next project is Nishaanchi, directed by Anurag Kashyap. The film stars newcomer Aaishvary Thackeray, along with Monika Panwar, Vedika Pinto and Kumud Mishra and is slated for release on September 19.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Upcoming Projects
Shah Rukh Khan, meanwhile, is working on King, helmed by Siddharth Anand. The film features Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Abhay Verma, Jaideep Ahlawat and Saurabh Shukla, with industry buzz hinting at appearances by Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff. The project is currently in production.
