Zain Imam: Audience will empathise with my character

Zain Imam

A three-year break and one web series later, Zain Imam is back on the tube to enthrall audiences with the third instalment in the Ishq Mein Marjawan franchise. Taking the baton from Yash A Patnaik, who successfully produced the earlier seasons are Gul Khan, Karishma Jain, and Dipti Kalwani. The new edition comes with its share of expectations, but the actor is unperturbed. "I consider this a new show. So, I don't feel the pressure," he says.

Imam has been roped in to play the antagonist, Agastya. But no character arc is permanent in television storylines that keep changing as per the TRPs. Explaining his character, Imam says, "My role is developed in a way you wouldn't be able to gauge the shades of [my character]. He can flip between playing positive and negative in an instant. He loves Pakhi [Rim Shaikh's character] and is obsessed about being in her life. So much so that he has her [under complete] surveillance. He keeps a close watch on everyone she interacts with every day. He has been obsessed with her for 15 years." The drama revolves around Agastya's reaction on losing the love of his life to someone else.

Imam argues that the show doesn't propagate obsessive love, but "in reality, there is a percentage of people [crossing the line] when obsessed in love". "We are not trying to give a wrong message, and [we hope] people are not influenced by my character. Only Agastya Raichand can do what he does, like calling up the chief minister to demand things. Visually, it [will seem like] an out-of-the-world scenario." The actor claims that he took inspiration from the series, Bates Motel (2013). "I could relate to the emotional breakdown of the character [Norman Bates]. [After watching Fanaa], the audience will sympathise and empathise with Agastya," adds the actor.