As an actor still building his space in the film industry, choosing roles remains a luxury for Hakim Shajahan. He puts it plainly: “I don't have the privilege of choosing films.”
Then came Jailer 2. A fanboy of Rajinikanth, Hakim found it difficult to put into words the experience of sharing screen space with Thalaivar, playing the antagonist Sharva Kalpak.
"It's difficult to put into words. I don't know how to articulate it properly. It was a great experience. As a fanboy, I enjoyed every moment. I also got to learn a lot. I'm lucky to have worked with so many big actors," he said on On Record for Reporter World.
Interestingly, Hakim's association with the Jailer franchise could have begun much earlier. He revealed that he had been considered for the first film, but things did not work out at the time.
"I was considered for Jailer 1, but it didn't work out. So they went with other options. I was called again for Jailer 2. I did a few look tests. They considered me for a few characters. Finally, I was cast as Sharva Kalpak," he said.
Director Nelson Dilipkumar was already familiar with Hakim's performances in the Tamil films Kadaseela Biriyani and Sorgavaasal. However, the character he eventually played in Jailer 2 was quite different from either of those roles.
"Sharva Kalpak's character isn't as cool as the psycho-cool guy in Kadaseela Biriyani. Nor is he as energetic as my character in Sorgavaasal. He's somewhere in between," Hakim explained.
The team also developed a Mexican-inspired appearance for Sharva Kalpak, which helped shape the character's on-screen identity.
The watch-and-learn mode
For Hakim, one of the most memorable aspects of Jailer 2 was the opportunity to interact with Rajinikanth, Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty and SJ Suryah.
Despite their stature in the industry, he said none of them showed the kind of star attitude one might expect on a large film set.
"All the actors were very humble. You could see it in how they treated others. Even Rajini sir was like that," he said.
Some sequences involving several cast members took 15 to 20 days to shoot, giving Hakim plenty of time to observe and interact with them.
He admitted he isn't someone who easily approaches people to start conversations. However, the senior actors made the effort to speak to him and put him at ease.
"They would come over and break the ice. That's when I realised how much there was to learn from them. They make you feel like one of them," he recalled.
Among his co-stars, Hakim particularly admired SJ Suryah's commitment to his craft and his willingness to keep improving a scene.
"There's so much to learn from SJ Suryah. He's incredibly committed to his work. He always wants to make things better."
Preparing for Sharva Kalpak
Playing Sharva Kalpak also required Hakim to make physical changes. He was asked to lose weight to suit the character and meet the physical demands of the role.
He worked with his trainer, Shahnavas, to prepare for the film.
As for the performance itself, Hakim said Nelson had already given him a clear understanding of the character, including the frustration he experiences.
"I was getting proper input from the director. All I needed was to stay focused and present. I think I managed to do that," he said.
‘There's no formula for staying relevant’
Beyond Jailer 2, Hakim also spoke about the uncertainty of building and sustaining a career in cinema.
According to him, staying relevant is not simply about appearing in successful films. A film that an actor believes in may fail to connect with audiences, while a commercially successful project may not necessarily offer the same creative satisfaction.
"Not every good film becomes successful. And not every successful film is necessarily good," he said.
He pointed out that the rare combination of a satisfying role, a good film and audience appreciation is something actors cannot predict.
Hakim believes the only practical approach is to keep looking for good stories and give every character the attention it deserves, even when the outcome is uncertain.
"I don't think there's any formula for staying relevant," he said.
‘I don't have the privilege of choosing films’
Asked how he selects his projects, Hakim said he looks for characters that offer something worthwhile to perform or have a meaningful place in the story. However, he acknowledged that he is not yet in a position to be highly selective about the roles he accepts.
"I'm not a choosy actor. I take up the roles that come my way. If nothing comes, I don't do anything. That's all," he said.
"I don't have the privilege of choosing films based on characters. I hope that day comes. Then, I hope to work only in good films."
What's next for Hakim Shajahan?
Hakim also shared details of his upcoming Malayalam film Hail Mary, which is currently in post-production.
The film features an ensemble cast including Kunchacko Boban, Vinay Forrt, Suhasini, Anu Sithara, Jagadish and Suraj Venjaramoodu.
Produced by Martin Prakkat, the film marks Vishnu's directorial debut.
Hakim said he is looking forward to its release and hopes the film will find success.
