Zain Khan Durrani is a known Bollywood actor who was recently seen portraying a pivotal character in Santosh Singh-directed Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. In an exclusive interview with The Movie Mail, Zain gets candid about the experience of working alongside debutant Shanaya Kapoor and seasoned actor Vikrant Massey in his latest outing.
Zain also recalls the fascinating process of auditioning in his early days and shares his desire to be a part of cult films like Baazigar, La La Land and Mughal-e-Azam, among others. The talented actor also talks about his love for Malayalam cinema and more.
Edited excerpts:
Q. Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan is finally out in theatres. How would you compare your feelings before and after the film’s release on the big screen?
A. As an actor, once you are done shooting, you have already given whatever you could to the movie. Post that, a certain level of detachment already comes. Now, it is in the hands of editors, directors, and producers. However, the nerves associated with theatrical release are always there due to the fact that it’s going to be out in the world to see. After that, you wait for people to watch it and honestly tell you how they felt about your work. Because that’s who you perform for. If it connects with them, then you feel that most of your work has been done and you’ve done justice.
Q. You play a one-sided lover in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. What was the brief given to you for your character?
A. I was given a couple of scenes to perform initially, and before I got any brief about my role, I read the script. I always insist on reading scripts before I come on board with a film. Also, since I had auditioned for the role, I already had a good understanding of the character. But as soon as I read the script, I pretty much gathered what I could. Meanwhile, our director, Santosh Singh, is also quite open to our interpretation of the role. And we both came to the same page in a lot of ways about how the character of Abhinav is going to be. Although I’ve never mentioned it outright, he is one of the characters that you call a ‘green flag.’ He is emotional yet open-minded, and because he’s from a creative background, he believes in sacrifice when it comes to love.
Q. How was the experience working with a debutant, Shanaya Kapoor and a seasoned actor, Vikrant Massey? What difference did you find in their respective approach to acting?
A. As a debutante, you’re always trying to find your way through your work and your feet, key and rhythm as an actor. All the Mussoorie bits were already shot by the time I started working. Shanaya was very well settled in by the time I reached the set. I saw that a lot of the major groundwork was already done with her. So, she was set in her rhythm. Meanwhile, Vikrant, even as a seasoned actor, is someone who, after working for many years, is still excited about the job. He can be seen helping and being present for you during your shoot and your shots. So, it ratifies your belief and ideas about acting when you see another person who’s made his way through to success and shares similar values that you look up to in the industry.
Also Read: Vikrant Massey on exploring romance on-screen: ‘This film made me feel like a debutant again’
Q. It’s been about 7 years since your debut in 2018 with Kuch Bheege Alfaaz. How do you look back at your journey?
A. It’s been quite interesting. When I set out on my journey, I’d always believed in persistence, because acting is a job of patience. You have to have a lot of patience with it, not just for the right stuff to come to you, but also for you to do the right kind of stuff. One thing I firmly believe in is ‘slow and steady.’ It’s always good, and it’s where the nectar lies. Also, you’re slowly building into what you dream of, and that has a different flavour and fun to it.
Q. How was the experience of working in a spy-drama web series like Mukhbir (ZEE5)? What difference do you see in the process of working in a series vs a film?
A. It’s been over two years since the release of the show. I remember, I had just completed shooting for Bell Bottom (2021) and was back in India. I received a call about the series for this role (Harfan), and later, I was sent the script. After going through it, I felt the character had started becoming a part of me in many ways. Also, the character in the show wasn’t someone who had received active training before going on a mission. So the idea was that he shouldn’t look like he had. That’s why, even when you see the action sequences, they feel quite raw. It’s not choreographed like a polished action scene, it was intentionally done in a very real, hands-on manner. So, not a lot of preparation went into it beforehand, but while working on the show. And it was a great experience.
Meanwhile, the difference between filming a web series and a movie primarily lies in editing and directing, as the process is lengthier. There are numerous permutations and combinations, and even from a production angle, it’s a lengthy process. But as an actor, it’s quite similar to work on either medium. If you’re working on a series, you think about it as a long, drawn-out movie. You’re shooting for four to six hours of footage, and the dates become longer. But for makers, it’s a different process altogether.
Q. How easy or difficult is it for an outsider to break into the industry?
A. It’s not an easy job at all. It’s challenging, but so are any of the competitive exams in any other field. I understood quite early on that it’s going to be hard. It’s going to take patience, skill, talent and a little bit of luck as well. On a given day, being in the right place at the right time matters. But only people with a tremendous amount of passion should come here. I would say that if you’re not very passionate about acting or filmmaking or anything related to the industry, then this could be something that you would look at as very difficult. Otherwise, you look at it positively and as a real challenge.
Q. Last year, you worked in a film called Daniel. Please take us through the journey of that film, and where can we watch it?
A. We haven’t shot the entire film yet, but only the pilot. The two brothers from Canada have come together as a writer-director duo for the film. Currently, they are back in their country to sort out the finances. Interestingly, the director’s name is also Daniel.
Q. Do you remember your experience during your early days at auditions?
A. Those were quite interesting days. The everyday schedule was to get up in the morning, get ready, pack a bag, and try to find those hubs where the auditions were happening. A lot of times, we would get calls for auditions, but most of the time, we would go and find the audition spots ourselves. But you look back at those days and remember that it has taught you so much because it’s not only about rejections and being called fit or unfit. It’s also about getting into those long lines, waiting for the call back when you still don’t know whether your audition will be seen or not, because almost 500 people had auditioned for the ad or film. It’s a demanding yet fascinating process that prepares you for the future, and I’m grateful that I’ve gone through it.
Q. What’s one role you’d love to do that you haven’t done yet, maybe a genre or a character?
A. Everything! I’m very greedy as an actor. I want to do an American Psycho in India, another Baazigar and La La Land too. I want to be a part of something like Mughal-E-Azam and go beyond that scale as well. I’m very fascinated with the kind of cinema we’re doing all across the country as well. I’ve been watching a lot of Malayalam and Telugu movies recently. Not just the Hindi belt, I want to work in other languages too. Also, anything good that is happening anywhere, because it’s only about the story at the end of the day and the right people telling it at the right time. It’s the script that matters, and I think that is what we need to focus on.
Q. What kind of stories do you think Indian audiences are craving right now, and how do you see yourself fitting into that narrative?
A. The original ideas that surprise people, with a different perspective and more attuned to the filmmaking that we’re watching now, including world cinema. From K-dramas like Squid Game, to the English and French cinemas that we’ve been watching, we’ve expanded our horizons in a lot of ways. As well as the films that are being made on real-life stories. Audiences are always ready for some original content.
Q. You have Danish Renzu’s film Songs of Paradise next after Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. What can you tell us about it?
A. I can’t reveal a lot about the film right now because I’m not at liberty to say much. But, I think it’s a fresh perspective and a lovely story from the pre-90s. You’ll see Kashmir in a new light. I believe there’s a real need for a lot of other kinds of stories to come out of Kashmir as well, besides the conflict. I’m very proud to be a part of such a beautiful story. The texture, the feel and everything about the movie will give people a new perspective about the place itself. I’m happy to be a part of such a narrative.
Q. Please share 5 of your favourite films and shows to watch.
A. I just finished watching this fantastic movie called Bramayugam (2024) starring Mammootty. I also enjoyed watching Kumbalangi Nights (2019) and Angamaly Diaries (2017). Some of the most amazing and mouth-watering work is being done in the Malayalam film industry. Meanwhile, Amaran (2024) and Black Warrant (2025) have been great watches as well.
