Future events cast their shadows in advance. It seems true to hold true for Rahul Khanna, who started watching the international television series, The Americans , on recommendation of his brother Akshaye and landed the role of an ISI agent in the series. “Soon after I started watching it, this opportunity to act in series came my way and I took it up!” This past Saturday, FX showcased back-to-back episodes of season 3.
Talking about Yousaf Rana, the character Rahul plays, he describes him as a suave, Oxford-educated, charismatic man with a roving eye, which is extremely chic in every manner. On the challenges he faced while essaying the role, “I am an actor, all are but roles for me. This character and the entire series are so well written and as far as the feedback goes, everyone loves the show.” Delving further on acting Rahul, who was a student of School of Visual Arts in New York, comments, “The best place to learn about film making is on a film set but any education adds dimensions and layers of perspective to an actor’s point of view and so is the case with me. This said, filmmaking can’t be taught to you in a school.”
The actor seems to be quite thrilled by his experience of working for the first time in a US TV show. He perceives it as an “exciting time for American TV. They are producing such excellent quality work that it is absolutely at par with any feature film produced globally.”
Did the demand for some explicit love making scenes cause any trouble for the Indian artist? “At first, of course, I was apprehensive. I am also apprehensive before shooting an action scene so love making scenes are no different. What worked for me was the exceptional technical team I am working with. They really put me at ease.”
Rahul, whose performance in Deepa Mehta’s Earth was appreciated by audience, is not willing to be labelled or boxed in a particular slot when it comes to acting. He says that he is an actor and he plays whatever roles come his way and that he’s even open to playing a lead role for a masala Hindi movie with running and romancing the heroine around trees.
Reflecting on his association with his father Vinod Khanna, Rahul says, “Akshaye and I don’t sit at our father’s feet to gain pearls of wisdom. Of course we do consult and are there for each other. I don’t even know if he has seen the series but Akshaye has, and he is excited as always to see me in his favourite TV series!” says Rahul with a chuckle.
Rahul shuttles between India and the US and uses any opportunity he gets to be with his family.
