Reflecting on the tenth anniversary of his first film, Mardaani, which marked his Bollywood debut, Tahir Raj Bhasin marks a momentous milestone. Pradeep Sarkar directed the movie, which starred Rani Mukerji and Tahir Raj Bhasin in the key parts. This movie also served as the launchpad for the venerable Mardaani franchise.

“As Mardaani clocks in ten years, I look back with great appreciation for the unforgettable journey of working on this ground-breaking film. I am appreciative of the unique chance to make my feature film debut alongside Rani Mukerji in a YRF picture helmed by the amazing Pradeep Sarkar. I still clearly recall the day I was informed that, out of the hundreds of applicants, I had been selected to play Mardaani’s anti-hero following several rounds of tryouts. I happily sobbed. It wasn’t until we all got together for the first sit-down script reading that the feeling truly hit home” said Tahir.

Tahir added, “When the film was released, there was so much love and appreciation that it received. For me, Aamir Khan sir’s post stands out in especially. Who is this new guy? is what he tweeted. I enjoyed how he performed. When I saw his tweet for me, I was ecstatic!”.

Speaking on working under Pradeep Sarkar’s direction on his debut picture, Tahir said, “Mardaani was not just a project; it was a transformative experience for me. Working with the brilliant and unconventional director Pradeep Sarkar was an honor. His advice was crucial in creating a lovable, stylish, and edgy anti-hero. The way Pradeep Sir portrayed the anti-hero was what made Mardaani unique. He possessed a remarkable capacity to provide clear instructions while simultaneously granting an actor the freedom to explore genuine emotional performances. Every second spent on set with him was educational”.

Tahir said, “Sharing the screen with Rani Mukerji was equally inspiring. I watched her as a star growing up. She had a wealth of knowledge to impart. Rani Mukerji had a captivating personality, and her dedication to the role and level of professionalism was unmatched”.

“Landing the role of the anti-hero in the first part of the Mardaani franchise was a dynamic start for me and it is an experience I will always value,” Tahir continued, reflecting gratefully on his journey.

Tahir received a lot of praise for his portrayal of the nuanced and multi-layered anti-hero in Mardaani. His performance demonstrated that he is an actor who can effortlessly inhabit challenging and realistic parts. Tahir’s next project on Netflix is the second season of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, a romantic crime thriller whose first season received a ton of praise from fans all around the world.

Priyanka Dutta