Hansal Mehta’s Scoop on Netflix can turn out to be a game-changer for its two lead actors Karishma Tanna and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub. Karishma, who plays the journalist Jagruti Pathak, started off her career on television close to two decades ago. After appearing in a couple of top reality TV shows, a few films and web shows, she finally feels content and is raring to go.

On the other hand, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, who plays newspaper editor Imran Siddiqui in Scoop, has always made an impact, even in smaller roles. His turn in Scoop is one of the best performances in the OTT space in recent times. The Telegraph Online caught up with Karishma and Zeeshan on the success of Scoop, their past struggles and their experience of working with Hansal Mehta who’s known for his works such as Scam 1992, Shahid, CityLights and Aligarh.

While working on Scoop, did you have a gut feeling that it’s going to be brilliant?

Karishma Tanna: I got a feeling from my auditions only. You kind of sense it. When I got to know that Hansal (Mehta) sir is directing and it’s for Netflix, I knew that it was something special. When I read the script, we knew that it would do well. I am happy with the response we have got.

Zeeshan, Scoop’s Imran Siddiqui would be counted among the best performances of the year. How’s the feeling?

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub: It’s overwhelming! The character and the show are getting a lot of love. People are calling and talking to me for 15 minutes and picking up intricate details from my performance. Mostly, people are saying that they haven’t seen me like this before. It’s satisfying to see your hard work getting noticed.

Do you think your performance in Scoop will mark a new phase in your career?

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub: I hope so! Hansal sir said that I deserve to be here and Imran’s a much better role with a better projection. It should start a new phase. (Smiles)

Your character Imran Siddiqui is about principles. He knows his rights and his values are strong. That’s exactly like you in real life. It shouldn’t have been very difficult to play him, right?

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub: The internal process of the character was not difficult. That’s the reason Hansal sir cast me. He wanted someone who has those principles, who understands society and knows what’s going on around him, or else the character could get boring. So far nobody has offered me such a role.

Imran is conducting everything and yet he isn’t at the forefront. He’s authoritative and confident, and yet he is warm. He makes his teammates feel that they are running the newspaper.

Karishma, what are your learnings from your long journey?

Karishma Tanna: Patience. One needs to have focus. You can’t blur it if you want to reach a certain level. I literally work on myself to attain patience. One needs to be at the right place at the right time. Your mind can’t be everywhere. Dedication and discipline are needed. If you have lows then only you will cherish the highs.

What was the drive when you didn’t have good work coming your way?

Karishma Tanna: I am a positive person. I know if I have the talent, I will get what I deserve. I had confidence in myself. I have to work a lot even after this as well. I have worked for close to 18 years. I still feel I have to learn a lot.

Actors are known to do their best work under Hansal Mehta. What’s a Hansal Mehta set like?

Karishma Tanna: It’s a treat to be on his set because it doesn’t look like a set. There’s food, there’s conversation happening and people are cracking jokes. He’s clear that you don’t have to be in the character all the time. He tells us to chill, to believe in ourselves, rehearse the lines and follow our instincts. He makes us so confident around him that we get confident in front of the camera.

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub: His clarity and intent are on point. Most directors don’t know what they are doing and why. Sometimes directors do things to sensationalise or because it works. Hansal sir doesn’t fall into this trap. His greatness is his hold on the story and the script. He does serious work in a relaxed manner.

He makes sure that you can focus and concentrate. He doesn’t tire you out. He doesn’t make the mistake that many directors do, which is to tell the actors the tone in which a scene needs to be enacted. He gives one space to create and build the character. The only thing that he tells us is what he wants to communicate. It’s a pleasure. That’s why the performances in his films and shows are top-notch. Actors do their best work with him. It’s his strength. He trusts his team.

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub and Karishma Tanna in Scoop

Zeeshan, what’s the importance of political awareness for a performing artist?

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub: I think it is the most important thing, more than learning a few basic skills as an actor. See how I got cast for the role. There are many actors to choose from. Why did they choose one actor? Because he can bring his proposition and perspective to the table. It matters how much you read and how much you are socially aware.

When streaming platforms came up a few years ago, we saw a stream of talent and good content. Now not all the content is good but it is hyped up to a great extent. What do you think?

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub: Definitely! It’s problematic. There are pros and cons. Many people are getting work for these OTT platforms. Good talent is getting noticed but with quantity, we stop focusing on quality. We go by what social media is directing us to. Remember the film Do Bigha Zamin? There were blockbuster films around the time when it was released but nobody remembers them.

Joram (in which Zeeshan stars alongside Manoj Bajpayee) is travelling to multiple film festivals. It looks special.

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub: Yes, I hope it releases early. It’s beautiful. I am proud that after many years, a film is in the legitimate competition category. Today screenings at festivals are celebrated as well but Joram is an official selection at repeated film festivals.

Your better half, Rasika Agashe (who plays a policewoman in Scoop), scared everyone…

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub: Yes, she has beaten Karishma a lot! (Laughs) She took revenge for all the bad things Karishma did to me.

Karishma: She is terrific in the show!

Karishma Tanna with Rasika Agashe in Scoop