Rahil Azam has played many iconic characters in his career of 25 years, but his recent character as Parag Kothari, a strict yet caring and loving father in Rajan Shahi's popular show Anupamaa, has struck a chord with the audience. While he is happy with the feedback he is receiving from the audience, he credits the producer for giving him the character and believing that he will be able to play it with perfection.
He said, "Having talent is a wonderful thing, but what’s even more important is having someone who can recognize that talent, test it, and truly understand its worth. I’ve been in this industry for 25 years now, and as far as I remember, I’ve played almost every kind of character. Yet, only one or two people have genuinely respected, evaluated, and understood my craft. Among them is Rajan ji."
"When I got the call for Anupamaa, I wasn’t sure what to do because I had never worked with him before. I knew he was an exceptional director and producer, someone who had given several hit shows, and I always wanted to work with him. When the shoot began, after two to three months, he once told me, 'I always wanted Raahil Azam to play Parag Kothari.' At that moment, I didn’t understand why he said that. But now I realize he must have seen something in me that made him firmly decide that only I should play this role," he added.
Asked about a scene from the show that has stayed with him till now, he said, "One of the most beautiful and powerful moments we shot in Anupamaa was the farewell scene between Parag Kothari and his daughter, Prarthana. The bond between a father and daughter can be portrayed in so many different ways, and the farewell scene itself can be written and presented in countless styles. But the way Rajan Ji conceived and wrote this scene was so moving, it instantly increased my responsibility as an actor."
"I was nervous—even after working for so many years—because when you know a scene has been envisioned by someone like him, the responsibility doubles. My only aim was to at least justify his vision, if not go beyond it," he added.
The scene was done, and they moved on to the next, but what made it extra special was receiving a message from Rajan. Rahil shared that it was a heartfelt message filled with appreciation and blessings.
Quoting Rajan's message, he said, "As Rajan ji himself said, 'I think Raahil has given one of the best performances. It was amazing to watch such a nuanced act. Raahil is one of the finest performers in Indian television. The depth and vulnerability he brought to portray a father’s pain was on another level, and that’s why I personally called and congratulated him. It’s rare and beautiful to see emotions expressed so powerfully from a male perspective. When I heard Rajan ji's voice note, I was speechless. For someone so experienced and respected to personally send me such praise, it left me humbled. It gave me a fresh energy to push myself higher because now his expectations from me are greater."
"In an industry filled with so many actors, directors, producers, channels, and shows, if someone takes notice of your talent—it's a huge thing," he added.
Rahil's belief has always been to give his best, but an appreciation surely makes a difference. He said, "Everyone who watched the farewell scene had tears in their eyes. Of course, I was only one part of it; the entire team—our directors, co-actors, cameramen, everyone—contributed to making it special. I give my hundred percent and leave the rest to destiny. But in television, genuine appreciation is rare."
He shared that now he understands why Anupama has been the number one show for five years and said, "The magic lies in Rajan sir and his team. And I feel fortunate to be even a small part of it. For me, if I can deliver even fifty percent of what he signed me for, I’ll consider myself lucky."
Talking about the scene, he said that it brought out the father-daughter bond in the most beautiful way. "I can challenge anyone—whoever watches it will surely have tears in their eyes. And this is not because I was a part of it, but because as a whole, the scene came out so beautifully. I am genuinely thankful to Rajan ji and his entire team for giving me this opportunity," he said.
Having done a huge number of shows before, Rahil understands the value of a good show and a good time. And with Anupama everything came organically to him. "Here, everything was already set—Anupamaa was already a huge success. All I had to do was bring my face to the camera, and then this kind of scene came my way. I’m also grateful to the channel for giving this show so much respect and support," he said.
"The team here is special—our three directors work in such perfect sync that as actors, it makes our job so much easier. Not once did I feel any confusion or difference in vision. Everything moved in harmony," he added.
The actor once again thanked and said, "Thank you for believing in me. I may not be able to say everything that’s in my heart, but I’m deeply grateful."