Model-turned-actor Rohman Shawl has captivated audiences with his award-winning projects. In his debut film Amaran, alongside Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi, his portrayal of Asif Wani garnered widespread praise from Kamal Haasan. Some of his notable works include the short film Azaadi and My Father’s Doctor. In an exclusive conversation with The Movie Mail, the actor discusses his transition from modeling to acting, revealing an unexpected twist in his journey. He also shares his cherished Kashmiri tradition of enjoying chai throughout the day and recounts her former girlfriend Sushmita Sen’s gracious response to his accomplishments, among other insights.
Edited excerpts:
Amaran has been gaining momentum since its release on Netflix and your character is being appreciated as well. You even received a compliment from Kamal Haasan. How are you processing all of this?
A. I’m truly grateful for everything coming my way. The character I played in the film was meant to be hated since it was a negative role. Yet, receiving so much appreciation is incredible for me. I believe it’s happening because people are looking beyond the character on screen and recognizing the effort I put in as an actor. That brings me immense joy.
Kamal sir is one of the greatest artists in Indian cinema, and he was also the producer of this film. Receiving words of praise from him would make anyone’s day, and it certainly made mine. It’s an overwhelming feeling, to say the least.
Was he present on set during the shoot?
A. Most of my shoot took place in Kashmir, while he primarily visited the set in Chennai. So, I didn’t have any direct interactions with him during filming. However, he regularly watched the rushes (raw footage) and shared his feedback with me through our director. Those messages really boosted my confidence and reassured me that I was on the right track.
Considering the intensity of your role, did it take a toll on your emotional well-being?
A. I’m not someone who overthinks things—I’m more of a doer. But I’ve always heard stories about method acting, where actors become so deeply immersed in their characters that it affects their real-life behavior. Until recently, those were just stories to me. However, one particular incident changed that. There was a scene where my character, Asif Wani, shoots an army officer, and the officer catches fire. A stuntman was performing the sequence, and as the shot wrapped and the director called “cut,” I found myself enjoying the sight of the burning man! The realization hit me hard—I had momentarily lost my sense of reality. That was the moment I knew something was off. The character had started affecting my psyche.
Maybe it happened because I had been living with Asif Wani for over a month, and subconsciously, it had begun to alter something within me. But I was quick to recognize, acknowledge, and address it. That’s why, as actors, we must constantly work on our emotions and be mindful of the thin line between reel and real.
Have you learned to detach yourself from your characters now?
A. Yes, and I think it’s essential. When you live with a character for a long time—shooting, emoting, and thinking like them—you must know where to draw the line. Since I was in Kashmir at the time, the moment I realized that the role was starting to weigh on me, I made an effort to spend time with my family—especially my grandmother, who still lives there. Being around her, sharing meals, and having long conversations transported me into a different world. It was healing. It helped me reconnect with my inner self and distance myself from the character I was playing.
Your transition from modeling to acting wasn’t exactly planned. How did it happen?
A. When I got into modeling, I picked it up quickly. The ramp walks and assignments came naturally to me. But I was also young and a bit overconfident. A friend suggested that I go to Mumbai to truly test my skills—maybe I was good in Delhi, but was I good enough for Mumbai? I took that as a challenge and moved to Mumbai. Soon after, I got an offer, and I felt like I was on top of the world. I thought, “People struggle here for years, and look at me—I’ve barely arrived and already landed a film!”
But then, the final meeting was scheduled for 11 AM one day, and my phone rang – “There have been some changes. We’ll call you back, but not today.” That call never came. Until that moment, I had never faced rejection in my career, so I didn’t know how to process it. It shattered me.
How did you restore your desire to act again?
A. Well, modeling has a shelf-life, and returning to engineering wasn’t an option. Just when I was wondering what to do next, I got a call from my director Akhil Abrol for the film Azaadi. Initially, I was skeptical after the previous experience, so I quoted an exorbitant fee. Since it was a short film with a limited budget, they couldn’t afford it. But Akhil was persistent. On the day of the shoot, I picked up my phone just to wish him luck, and at that exact moment, he called and said, “No one can play Adnan better than you. That’s why we haven’t started shooting.”
His faith in me changed something within me, and I said, “Yes, I am doing the film.” That little push made all the difference. Today, Akhil is one of my close friends and is proud of my journey.
What is a dream role or genre that you wish to explore next?
A. I have been an athlete all my life, so I know if I get to play a sportsman, I will enjoy it and do justice to it. I also want to play a romantic hero with old-school romance, poetry, etc. And, of course, I dream of doing a Dhoom-style action film—long hair, a stylish villain on a bike… that would be amazing!
Do you have any typical, hardcore Kashmiri habits in daily life?
A. Yes! My obsession with noon chai in the morning. It takes a long time to prepare, but I patiently wait for it. It’s an acquired taste—not everyone can enjoy it, but if you know, you know!
What is the one thing you want to retain even when you become highly successful?
A. My insaniyat, Kashmiriyat, and inner child. I find joy in small things, in living a slow, easy life—playing football, reciting poetry. Success means nothing if I lose myself along the way.
How has Sushmita Sen reacted to your success?
A. Honestly, we don’t discuss work that much. But when Amaran was being shot, she told me that something wonderful was going to happen with this project. That meant everything to me.
Would you like to talk about your upcoming projects?
A. Not really! I believe in letting the announcements happen at the right time. Call it superstition, but I feel projects get jinxed if spoken about too soon. (signs off)
