Fatima Sana Shaikh’s new web series Hunkkaar: The Roar centers on a teen accusing a powerful cult figure of sexual assault, sparking nationwide outrage. She describes the set as safe and the team as highly aware after Me Too. Shaikh, who recently promoted regional cinema, says she follows her instincts in picking roles and values strong stories over language.
Hunkkaar: The Roar revolves around a sexual assault allegation against a spiritual leader. While the JioHotstar series navigates sensitive territory on screen, care and mindfulness was brought to its production — led by an ensemble featuring Aneet Padda, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Arjun Mathur, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Zoya Hussain, and Raghubir Yadav.
In an interview with THR India, when asked how the cast approached safety on set while shooting the material, Shaikh said it was a safe set, and that in the years since the #MeToo movement, everyone has become far more attentive and alert.
"It was safe. It (sexual assault) is a topic, but the show is not just about that. There are a lot of personal battles, conflicts and contradictions that we are dealing with. Even if it was not on this topic, it is important to have a safe set. After #MeToo, everybody really pays attention to that. And our makers are very sensitive. We have very sensitive actors. That was a given," Shaikh said.
Speaking about her process of picking roles, Shaikh explained how it is driven purely by instinct and not strategic planning. Hunkkaar marks her first outing in an OTT series and features her in the the role of ACP Jasleen Singh Soni.
"I am just instinctive in my choices. When I do not feel something, I do not do it, whatever it may be. I do not think too much about it."
Apart from her work on-screen, Shaikh recently hosted the Jammu and Kashmir Film Festival, where she spent time promoting regional cinema.
Asked if she'd consider starring in a regional film, she said, "Why not? I would love to do regional cinema. There are a lot of good stories being made in regional cinemas, especially in Malayalam. If I get a chance to be a part of such stories, it would be fun."
Produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment, in association with Purple Pebble Pictures, Hunkkaar is directed by Karan D Kapadia, Nitya Mehra and Heeraz Marfatia.
The show is set to premiere on September 25 on JioHotstar.