The most memorable thing about Mirzapur Season 3 is the introduction of a new character, Rahim, a poet who ends up in jail for his political satire. Pallav Singgh, who plays Rahim to perfection, was earlier seen in Netflix’s Mai and ZEE5’s Taj: Divided by Love. The Telegraph Online spoke to Pallav Singgh on the adulation coming his way after Mirzapur Season 3 and his upcoming project.
For a lot of Mirzapur fans, your character, Rahim, is the best thing about Season 3. What kind of feedback have you received?
Pallav Singgh: It’s feeling like I have dived into a pool of love from which I don’t want to come out. If it is a dream, I want to keep sleeping. I am speechless. Though I have a huge appetite for it, I want to keep my head down and focus on work.
You had a brief but impactful role as Rahim. What was your interaction with the makers, especially the director duo Gurmmeet Singh and Anand Iyer, like?
Pallav Singgh: Gurmmeet sir has the experience, and he is affable. He has a high EQ and he made me very comfortable on the set. Mirzapur is full of gunpowder; it is produced by Excel Entertainment and it streams on Prime video, so it is a highly potent material. I added the spark with whatever little talent I have. The gunpowder blasted, and the audience saw the fireworks and enjoyed it. I give the credit to the writers and the audience because we are nothing without them.
Being a young actor, what were your learnings on the Mirzapur set?
Pallav Singgh: The insight is to just take your work seriously. Guru sir (Gurmmeet Singh, director) came and hugged me, so the little dragons flying in my head and heart disappeared. I was respected and lauded. It felt good when he hugged a small actor like me on the first day of the shoot. He treated me well and it speaks volumes about him. I hope to leave a footprint like him in the industry. I should never cease to entertain.
Memes with Rahim’s poetry/dialogues started circulating ever since Mirzapur Season 3 dropped. Do you have any favourites there?
Pallav Singgh: Can a mother choose between children? (Smiles) There are many. People are calling me ‘the greatest shayar of all time’. I am seeing every bit of it. I am diving into admiration.
The way you delivered satire poetry in the show, it seems you have a keen interest in it. Is it so?
Pallav Singgh: I have a keen interest but I don’t have the skills to be a professional. I hope one day I will. I am an admirer of Indian poetry but I have read (William) Wordsmith, (John) Keats, (Pablo) Neruda, (WB) Yeats and many others. I have huge respect and love for poetry but I can’t deliver professionally at an open mic.
How did you prepare to play a quirky character like Rahim?
Pallav Singgh: I didn’t view it as quirky. I feel I have a sense of humour and Rahim is a witty man. It was fun to step into his shoes and see the world through his eyes. I was thrilled as I resonated with his wit.
Is there a chance that Rahim will be back in Season 4?
Pallav Singgh: Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar (producers of Mirzapur) are very busy people. They haven’t had the time to discuss it with me yet.
Where do we see you next?
Pallav Singh: I have a film (Superboys of Malegaon) for Prime Video, which is supposed to come out by the end of this year. The film is supposed to go to a film festival (Toronto International Film Festival). Just like Rahim in Mirzapur Season 3, I hope to surprise you with my character.
