The Marvel Cinematic Universe is all set to introduce its first-ever Pakistani female superhero - Kamala Khan. With Pakistani-Canadian actor Iman Vellani playing the title role, her family is played on the show by a trio of Indian actors.
Veteran TV and film actor Mohan Kapur plays her father Yusuf Khan, Zenobia Shroff plays her mother Muneeba and Indian-American actor Saagar Shaikh plays Kamala’s older brother Amir. In an interview, the three actors spoke about Fawad khan and Farhan Akhtar’s cameos.
When asked if they felt it was unfair the focus was on the two stars’ small roles over their more substantial roles, Mohan said, “They are stars. Just on hearing their names, the audience goes to buy tickets. They have earned that. We are making their mark. They are actually helping us. When we heard that Fawad and Farhan are doing it (the show), we were so excited. Imagine the flip the show is going to get in South Asia and the world over because they have fans all over. It’s a huge thing. It’s very small if you start thinking ‘I am in more episodes, so why are they talking about them’. That’s a very small way of thinking. They propped us up.”
Zenobia adds that in such situations, the artiste must focus on the product and not themselves. “You have to stay on the side of the product. You can’t be on your side. The product matters. The individual doesn’t,” she says. The three actors’ Marvel career is just beginning. They will also appear in small roles in the upcoming Captain Marvel sequel ‘The Marvels, reprising their ‘Ms Marvel’ roles. The film, slated for release on July 28, 2023, stars Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani.
