New Delhi: It's not the length of the role but the excitement to be a part of Marvel Studios' first steps in the South Asian subcontinent that motivated actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar to join Ms Marvel, a show he believes is a landmark in the way it represents "our cultures and our people".
Akhtar, known for directing acclaimed films Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshay and Don series as well as for his on screen performances in movies Luck by Chance, Rock On!! and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, has made his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut with the Disney+ Hotstar show.
When he was first offered Ms Marvel, the actor said he was bowled over by the cultural inclusivity and diversity of the show, which centers around Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel, a Pakistani-American teenager growing up in Jersey City.
"When I found out that the show was the very first step that Marvel is taking into the subcontinent, creating a subcontinent superhero that is going to represent our cultures and our people, I was very excited," Akhtar told in a virtual interview. "I truly wanted to be a part of it because it is a landmark show. And I feel that it's important because it's diverse. There's an incredible amount of cultural inclusivity that's happening via the show," he added.
Fronted by newcomer Iman Vellani, Ms Marvel is a coming-of-age story of a Muslim teenager who discovers that she has superpowers and a family history going all the way back to India-Pakistan Partition in 1947. Bad Boys for Life helmers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a two-time Oscar winner in the documentary short category, and Meera Menon, who has worked on shows like The Walking Dead, have directed the episodes of the series.
Akhtar features in the fourth episode of the show, titled Seeing Red, directed by Obaid-Chinoy. He essays the role of Waleed, a senior member of an organisation called Red Dagger. Waleed acts as a mentor to Kamala when she lands in Karachi to meet her maternal grandmother and uncover the mystery behind her superpowers.
The actor said he was not concerned about the length of his role on the show as the focus was to be in a culturally diverse story. "I really didn't stop to think about whether it should be longer or not. I was really happy."
According to Akhtar, Marvel Studios has strived to deliver family entertainers with its films and now TV shows. "What Marvel has done over the years, even before the show, they've always strived to give very good clean family entertainment. And this series is in the same vein. I don't think there's any point to be made as such, but it's a new experience for the audience.