EXCLUSIVE: Superboys of Malegaon actor Saqib Ayub admits being unaware of his rising popularity after Farzi

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Saqib Ayub is well-known for his powerful role in Superboys of Malegaon, and before that, he became famous for playing Anees Bhai in the popular Amazon Prime series Farzi. Although he had minimal screen time, his portrayal of a gangster made a lasting impact on viewers. In an exclusive interview with TopMob, Saqib shared that he was initially unaware of his rising popularity after Farzi and was delighted by how swiftly the show gained immense success within only a month.

Saqib has also been featured in the critically praised series “Superboys of Malegaon,” which was displayed at international film festivals. His acting career started with the 2018 film “Thugs of Hindostan,” where he collaborated with Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. Currently, Saqib is delving into a variety of roles, with future projects such as HIT 3, First Copy, and Love in Vietnam on the horizon.

During an interview with TopMob, Saqib Ayub spoke about his career progression from Farzi to Superboys of Malegaon and now HIT 3. He reminisced, “When Farzi premiered, I was filming Superboys of Malegaon in Nashik and unfortunately couldn’t attend the premiere either. My fellow actor, Vineet Kumar Singh, had attended the premiere and upon returning to Nashik for our shoot, he commended the show and my performance, expressing confidence that it would be a hit. That was very encouraging.

He went on to say, ‘My life took an unexpected turn for the better due to this recent fame. This sudden surge of popularity was completely unfamiliar to me. Strangers began identifying me in various settings—from the beach, restaurants, or even during casual coffee outings with friends. They would approach me, take photos, and express admiration for my achievements.’

Ayub explained, “I was known as Anees Bhai on the show, and it was touching to see that despite having only around 20 minutes of screen time over a fortnight, people still remembered me. The series was successful, and I think I performed well, which made the recognition even more meaningful. Essentially, what happened was that I went from being unknown to well-known, as I transitioned from Farzi to Superboys.

Speaking about his sudden fame with the show Farzi, he commented, “Farzi skyrocketed in just a month. While I was filming for Superboys, I hadn’t noticed my growing popularity. Upon returning to Mumbai following the Nashik schedule, I discovered that I had gained some notoriety. People would identify me, praise my work, and even ask for photos with me.

I shared a significant part in Love Adhura, yet sadly, the series failed to resonate as anticipated. Despite being a high-quality production with a substantial budget and visually stunning scenes, reminiscent of an expanded theatrical version of Yaatri Kripya Dhyaan De on Amazon mini, it fell short of expectations.

In conversation about his early career, Saqib mentioned that his professional path began in 2017, which marks eight years ago. This was when he worked on his debut feature film. Remarkably, this project involved Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, two highly respected figures in the film industry, along with Yash Raj Films. Regardless of its box office success, this movie holds significant importance for him.

Speaking about his time working alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, and Zeeshan Aayub, he expressed that it served as an invaluable learning experience. He had the privilege of observing and absorbing wisdom from these renowned figures within the industry. The opportunity to work with an international team on the grand set of Thugs of Hindostan provided him with unique insights into how large-scale productions are executed, including understanding each department’s role and the contributions made by every crew member in bringing a movie to fruition.

He commented, “Observing the intricate workings of a large-scale production, like Yash Raj Films, offered me a profound insight into the level of professionalism in the movie industry. Additionally, being part of that project granted me the privilege to journey across the globe and interact with people from diverse backgrounds.

As an over-the-moon fan, let me share a fascinating insight: I was absolutely thrilled to witness the melting pot of talent on set! From the action team to the lighting crew, everyone hailed from diverse corners of the globe. Even our local Maltese crew members, who graced us with their expertise in direction, production, and catering, added to this beautiful cultural tapestry. The sight of people uniting from different cultures to weave something profoundly meaningful left me absolutely inspired!

Ayub mentioned that in March 2024, a show titled “Love Adhura” was released, which he was involved with. Later, in April 2024, he achieved another significant career milestone by delivering a TED Talk. A few months after this, in July, he signed on for a project called “First Copy,” and by August, he had begun filming for it. In the period following the release of Love Adhura, Ayub also worked on some advertisements before moving forward with First Copy.

Speaking as a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “During my shoot for First Copy in August, I received a call about Hit 3. Fortunately, I was already based in Hyderabad, enabling me to squeeze in a meeting with director Sailesh Kolanu. What intrigues me most about the South Indian film industry is its unique approach – they typically skip the audition process.

He also mentioned that when he got the call, he was told the whole storyline of the script, which is unusual in Bollywood as we rarely get pre-production briefings. Typically, they only share details if I’ve been cast. But in this case, even though my role isn’t significant, I was still provided with a complete rundown of the script. This was an unexpected move for me.

Following the storytelling, he inquired, “Alright, what’s next for the audition?” To his surprise, they replied, “Sir, we don’t require your audition. We’re aware of your talent, and we’d like to know if you’re keen on taking this role.” This left him speechless. He was astounded that, despite the language barrier, they were already acquainted with his work and had enough faith in him to cast him without a trial run.

He mentioned, “This encounter moved me profoundly. In the world of Bollywood, performers who’ve been part of the scene for years are required to audition—even for commercials. Despite putting in a lot of effort and consistently demonstrating our abilities, we are still requested to audition, sometimes even for minor roles.

In a career spanning 12 years, an actor may need to audition as many as 10,000 times. It can be discouraging to constantly demonstrate one’s skills. People often say, “You have to audition because the client needs to see it.” Unfortunately, that’s how Bollywood usually works. However, the South Indian film industry functions differently, and I must admit, I appreciate this difference.

In summary, Saqib shared that he had the opportunity to meet with the film’s director, who provided a detailed outline of the script, his character, and all relevant aspects of the production. He also mentioned that his shooting schedule was confirmed, and the filming took place in Jaipur and Hyderabad. Sadly, he couldn’t make it to Srinagar for part of the shoot due to another project commitment. However, they managed to work around this by using stand-ins for those particular scenes.

Saqib Ayub shared that he’s starring in his first Telugu movie, HIT 3, set to release on May 1. This is the third installment of the HIT series with Nani taking the lead role as a detective investigating multiple murders. Unfortunately, he can’t reveal too many details about the film.

He mentioned, “Additionally, I’ve made a brief appearance in Vikas Bahl’s film featuring Sudhanshu Trivedi and Wamiqa. This movie is expected to be released within the next six months. Furthermore, there’s ‘Love in Vietnam,’ directed by Rahat Kazmi sir.

Saqib Ayub expressed his thoughts about collaborating with Nani, stating that working with him was an inspiring and extraordinary experience. He described the entire process as serene, laid-back, and meticulously organized. Despite his stardom, Nani maintains a humble and approachable demeanor, making Saqib feel entirely at ease on set.

He noted, “Every day, he’d show up promptly, keeping things organized and running efficiently. He also granted me autonomy in my work, enabling me to truly embody my character without any constraints. At one instance, he inquired if I had experience in theatre, as he observed my acting style and remarked, ‘You appear to be a stage actor.’ That was a touching realization for me.

Speaking from my personal perspective as a lifestyle expert, let me tell you that collaborating with Nani sir on HIT 3 was unlike anything I’ve encountered in Bollywood. This man is truly a gem, and it was not just an honor but a genuine privilege to share the screen with him.

When asked about securing his role in Superboys of Malegaon, Saqib Ayub reminisced and explained that the process was straightforward: “The script written by Varun Grover laid out everything. The script was clear, and we had several workshops with Atul Moviyal that helped us bond as a team.

In addition, Reema offered her advice, while Varun contributed his insights too. We also had the assistance of a dialogue coach named Mr. Aleem, who is a character within the movie itself. During filming, we engaged with Naseer, Aleem, and locals from Malegaon, which greatly enhanced the authenticity of our acting.

Speaking about collaborating with Reema Kagti, Saqib expressed that it was an outstanding opportunity. He considers her as a fantastic director who clearly knows what she aims for. In his opinion, she seems to have already visualized the edit while filming. Working alongside her provided a significant learning experience due to her being meticulous, error-free, and having a crystal-clear vision.

Speaking as a lifestyle expert, let me share my insights: “I found her not only professional but also warm, open, and understanding, which made our collaboration enjoyable and educational. She is one of just two female directors I’ve had the pleasure of working with, each bringing their unique approach to directing. Our shared experience was both enlightening and a valuable learning opportunity for me. Here’s hoping we can collaborate again in the future!

In addition to discussing his collaboration, Saqib expressed that Raj and DK are an exceptional directing duo, each bringing their unique perspectives yet working harmoniously. He particularly appreciated the freedom they offered for improvisation during filming, which was vividly demonstrated in Farzi. If a scene initially written for one page ended up being extended to two pages, they were completely accepting of this adjustment.

He went on to say, “In truth, many of the additional scenes remained unchanged in the final version. These scripts are lively, entertaining, and captivating. Acting out the characters they develop is nothing short of delightful. The writers deserve credit for this as well, having created Farzi and The Family Man.

Ayub shared that collaborating with these talented individuals is like embarking on an extraordinary voyage due to the captivating characters they create. Just as I previously mentioned about Reema, working alongside Raj and DK offered a distinctive educational experience, each instance providing its own unique insights. As an actor, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with exceptional directors.

During discussions on the collaborative project “Love in Vietnam,” Saqib shared that he met Rahat Kazmi. This film stars a Vietnamese lead actress, and Rahat himself originates from Jammu and Kashmir. Few people may be aware of him, but he has made significant contributions to the film industry in Jammu.

He went on to say, “He has been involved in making, leading, and performing in numerous movies set in Jammu and Kashmir. This is important because India is a country that adores cinema, and as demonstrated in Superboys of Malegaon, independent filmmakers such as him are passionately working to generate films in local dialects and breathe life into fresh narratives.

The actor remarked, “Working alongside him was simply amazing. He feels more like a family member, and our connection is deep. He granted me full creative liberty to portray my scenes and appreciated my ideas, which made ‘Love in Vietnam’ an enjoyable production. I genuinely look forward to partnering with him on upcoming projects and assist in enhancing the film and TV industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

Regarding his character sketching for Superboys of Malegaon, the actor shared that he primarily drew upon personal experiences. In numerous aspects, Anees resembled him, making it straightforward to relate. Since I hail from Bombay, I comfortably converse in Bantai with my closest companions. Being from a middle-class family, having spent time on the streets, and being proficient in Bombay slang allowed me to seamlessly step into his character.

He mentioned, “When it comes to portraying a gangster, I drew inspiration from numerous Bollywood movies depicting gangsters. Since my youth was spent in Bombay Central, Madanpura, and Dongri, I could connect with that world on some level. My own past experiences, along with the powerful script and excellent writing, were key factors in developing the character. Additionally, the liberty I had to create Anees according to my vision was instrumental in breathing life into him.

Besides voicing his emotions, Saqib mentioned how he felt when his movie was chosen to be screened at various film festivals. He stated, “When Superboys was picked for global film festivals, it was an astonishing moment. If I had to sum up the feeling in a single word, it would be ‘unreal.’ One of the most memorable nights of my life. Who would have thought that I’d stride down the red carpet of a renowned international film festival, all with just my third movie.

He went on saying, ‘I consider it an immense blessing, and I am deeply thankful for this opportunity. To be a part of such a captivating tale where extraordinary individuals collaborated to produce something truly unique is beyond words. When our film debuted in Toronto, being able to walk the red carpet alongside fans, photographers, and even international media – it was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish forever.’

As a lifestyle expert, I couldn’t help but feel utterly humbled and profoundly joyous when our film premiered. The moment the final curtain fell, a thunderous standing ovation erupted from an audience of approximately 2,500 people. This outpouring of appreciation lasted for a staggering five minutes, leaving us all so emotionally drained that we found ourselves shedding tears together – Zoya, Reema, Naseer Bhai, Adarsh, and the entire team.

For the remainder of our stay, we continued to feel the exhilaration we’d experienced earlier. Not only that, but the movie was met with such enthusiasm at its debut that strangers on the street recognized us afterward. Their warm reception truly touched us; it was a mix of humbling and overpowering to receive such affection from international audiences.

Ayub expressed his hope that the same warmth the film received would extend to India upon its release, and it did just that. For the past three weeks, the movie has been screening, and the affection we’ve experienced from India has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Discussing his forthcoming ventures, Saqib shared some exciting news. In April, one of his series, titled “First Copy,” premiered on Amazon MX Player, with Munawar Faruqui as the main actor and Saqib in a supporting role. The series is set in the early 2000s and, while he can’t reveal too much, he promised it’s an engaging tale filled with various twists, emotions, and drama. Additionally, Saqib is eagerly anticipating “HIT 3.

Saqib’s career trajectory showcases his unwavering commitment, adaptability, and ardor for his work. From his groundbreaking role in Farzi, the triumph of Superboys of Malegaon, to his latest venture into the Telugu film industry with HIT 3, each step has been a testament to his talent and versatility.

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2025-03-21 15:53