ZEE5’s Rangbaaz premiered on 22nd December and praise for the web series and especially the acting has been pouring in.
Set against the rustic background of India’s heartland, the UP of the 90s, Rangbaaz revolves around the story of Shiv Prakash Shukla, played by Saqib Saleem. It revolves around a man engaging in the dark and dirty world of crime and shows the human side of one of the most feared gangsters of the region from the ’90s.
About his character Saqib has said, “The character that I play in Rangbaaz is called Shiv Prakash Shukla. The guy has a lot of layers and I got to know that when Bhav, the director and Siddharth Mishra, the writer, came to me with the script and narrated the episodes to me. I instantly fell in love with my character because I was getting to play a gangster. I don’t know if people are aware, but I have always wanted to play a gangster. Not for any other reason but that I wanted to understand a guy’s psyche whose sense of right and wrong is very different from who I am. As an actor, it has been a completely satisfying experience working on this creatively. To be able to do something like this at this point in my career, I am thankful to ZEE5 for making this for me. Luckily, I have had a great journey on this and I’ve had a young team who has worked day in and day out to make this possible and from all the reactions we are getting, I hope when people watch this, they also enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.”
The series has critics and B-town raving about Saqib Saleem’s outstanding performance as gangster Shiv Prakash Shukla. Referring to it as among his career’s finest, Saqib received unanimously great reviews for essaying a grey character with finesse.
Says proud sister Huma Qureshi, “This hardworking talented boy has worked so hard to play a nuanced complex character so far away from who he is .. I know he has given it his everything to bring Shiv Kumar Shukla alive .. so proud of you @Saqibsaleem #Rangbaaz #22Dec @ZEE5India Go watch it already guys.”
Jimmy Sheirgill said, “Thoroughly enjoyed the first two episodes of #rangbaaz @Saqibsaleem @dirtigmanshu @ravikishann @ahanakumra @RanvirShorey @ZEE5India #bhav and the entire cast were brilliant Best wishes.
Thoroughly enjoyed the first two episodes of #rangbaaz @Saqibsaleem @dirtigmanshu @ravikishann @ahanakumra @RanvirShorey @ZEE5India #bhav and the entire cast were brilliant Best wishes ?
— Jimmy sheirgill (@jimmysheirgill) December 23, 2018
Mudassar Aziz, Director, “To say @Saqibsaleem has turned a new leaf in #Rangbaaz on #ZEE5 is an understatement! He shines in every bloody shot! The scene after committing his first murder is just SO SPECIAL! @dirtigmanshu mind blowing! @AahanaKumra effortless as ever! @ravikishann Pranaaaaam”
To say @Saqibsaleem has turned a new leaf in #Rangbaaz on #Zee5 is an understatement! He shines in every bloody shot! The scene after committing his first murder is just SO SPECIAL! @dirtigmanshu mind blowing! @AahanaKumra effortless as ever! @ravikishann Pranaaaaam ?!
— Mudassar Aziz (@mudassar_as_is) December 22, 2018
Suresh Triveni, Director : “#Rangbaaz on @ZEE5India is a very very well told show .watching the first few episodes and the intent looks superb @Saqibsaleem is great!”
#Rangbaaz on @ZEE5India is a very very well told show .watching the first few episodes and the intent looks superb @Saqibsaleem is ????
— Suresh Triveni (@sureshtriveni) December 22, 2018
Sonakshi Sinha took to Instagram to share her feedback after watching the first two episodes at the screening. “Talent ki saarein hadhein paar kar di @saqibsaleem ne!!! Guys do yourself a favour and watch #Rangbaaz”
Kubbra Sait said, “Just walked out of #Rangbaaz and WOW! how good are you @Saqibsaleem etching the nuances of #ShivPrakashShukla and the cherry on the cake is your and my love interest @AahanaKumra as Babita. Bravo @ZEE5India”
Producer Ramesh Taurani shared the Rangbaaz poster on Instagram and said, “#Rangbaaz is a superb show. @saqibsaleem has performed outstandingly.Gripping story and competent direction. It will do very well.
