ZEE5 Shabad Reet Aur Riwaaz: At a time when crime dramas and action thrillers have dominated the content on OTT platforms, ZEE5 has presented a beautiful father-son drama that makes you pause for a while and think about relationships. I am an entertainment journalist, who has been enchanted by the world of showbiz since childhood. But mind you- my mother always wanted me to be a doctor.
This is where ZEE5’s Shabad Reet Aur Riwaaz takes the brownie points. The web series focuses on the dreams and aspirations of Ghuppi, who wishes to pursue a career in football. However, his father wants him to take his family’s musical legacy to the next level.
Mihir Ahuja, who plays the role of Ghuppi, has wooed the audience with his power-packed performance and charm. In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Chief Copy Editor Abhishek Ranjir, Mihir bared his heart out and spoke about prepping up for the role. He also revealed that his dad never pressurised him to take over their family business.
Here are excerpts from the interview-
1- In many families, children are expected to continue a legacy rather than create their own. How relevant do you think Ghuppi’s struggle is for young people today, especially those whose passions don’t align with what’s been decided for them? And what is your advise to them?
Speaking from my real-life experience, I do not come from a film family. My dad is a businessman in Jamshedpur, and he never forced me to take over his business. My parents always told me to follow my heart and do what I love. I am very lucky to have such guardians. It is very normal that in a doctor’s family, children choose medicine, or in a film family, children become actors or directors. Parents are not wrong in guiding their children toward a field they understand well. They have experience and can help you grow. But if you do not have interest in that field, you should follow your heart. Talk openly to your parents or guardians. Tell them you want to try something of your own. That is completely okay, and that would be my advice to everyone.”
2- What makes Shabad Reet Aur Riwaaz different is that Ghuppi isn’t defiant-he’s afraid. How important was it for you to protect that vulnerability and not turn him into a conventionally ‘rebellious’ character? How did you prep for this role?
Ghuppi is defined by his vulnerability. His angst is never shown directly in front of his parents or friends. He lets his work speak. That is a great example for people in every field today, let your work speak. People may throw stones at you; use those stones to build something meaningful. My preparation for this role was both physical and internal. Physically, it was football training. I am not a footballer, so I trained for almost a month every morning to look authentic on the field. Internally, Ghuppi is often seen as weak, but he is not. Introverted and quiet people often have the most passion and fire within them. I had to dig deep into his psychology, his speech defect, his relationship with his father, and his emotional backstory. It was a long and detailed preparation.
3- Football becomes the one space where Ghuppi feels free, confident, and unjudged. Did you see the sport as a metaphor for self-expression, almost like a language he can speak fluently when words fail him? What is that outlet for you in real life?
Football is definitely a metaphor for Ghuppi. Whatever he cannot express in words, he expresses through his game. He lets his work speak. In real life, I relate to this. I let my work speak. I am not someone who talks a lot about achievements. I believe your acting, your work, and your effort make the loudest noise when you truly believe in what you do.
4- Every coming-of-age story has a moment of inner shift. For you, which moment in the series truly marks Ghuppi’s emotional transition-from enduring expectations to beginning to trust his own voice?
For me, the transition happens toward the end of the series when Ghuppi starts receiving support from his family. When his father finally sees him as a good footballer and allows him to be what he wants to be, that becomes the turning point in Ghuppi’s journey.
Shabad Reet Aur Riwaaz is available for streaming on ZEE5. The series also stars Survinder Vicky, Maahi Jain, Taranjit Kaur and Yash Sehgal.
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