‘Talk less, act more’

Saqib Saleem reveals preparation behind playing a cop and  conveying power through silence, intense training & more 

Deeksha Pandey

Actor Saqib Saleem’s most recent project is the recently released action-thriller Kaptaan, where he steps into the shoes of SSP Samardeep, an unorthodox, sharp and quietly formidable police officer. Known for his work in 83, Rangbaaz and Crackdown, Saqib brings a striking mix of restraint and emotional depth to a role that marks his first as a cop on screen. In an exclusive interview with The Free Press Journal, Saqib talks about building Samardeep from the ground up, the challenge of conveying power through stillness, his rigorous preparation, and why Kaptaan was a project he simply could not turn down. Excerpts:

Did you draw inspiration from any real-life police officers or personal observations while preparing for the role?

I’ve met a lot of police officers in my life, so I’m sure there was a subconscious influence. For instance, I used to work out with Daya Nayak at the Marriott, so I’ve spent time talking to him. I’ve also met senior officers like Amod Kant in Delhi. During shoots as well, I’ve interacted with SSPs and other officers. You’re not consciously thinking that you’ll play a cop like them, but those interactions stay somewhere in your mind. I may have picked up intensity from one person and a sense of humour from another. Cops, in my experience, often have a great sense of humour, and that was important to include.

You underwent a noticeable physical transformation for this role. Can you walk us through your preparation process?

I wanted to look my sharpest, especially since I was wearing a uniform. It was important for me to look good and carry it well. So, I followed a strict fitness regime, a low-calorie deficit diet, two workouts a day, including cardio and weight training. I also took up kickboxing to improve my movement for action sequences. In a way, this role brought a lot of discipline back into my life. I’ve always been into fitness, but sometimes you take it easy when a role doesn’t demand peak physical condition. This project pushed me to be at my best. I lost about 7-8 kilos over two months through consistent workouts and diet.

Did you sustain any injuries during the shoot? Was it physically demanding?

When you’re doing an action show, you’re bound to get injured almost every day in some way. You only realise the scratches and cuts when you go back and take a hot shower. I remember injuring my wrist quite badly during a chase sequence. We were shooting in a field with tall grass, so it was hard to judge the ground. My foot got stuck in a pit, and I fell on my right wrist while trying to break the fall. In the moment, because of the adrenaline, I continued shooting, but later it started swelling. If you watch closely, you might notice that my right hand looks slightly swollen in some close-up shots.

What advice would you give to aspiring actors trying to find their place in the industry?

Talk less about acting and act more. Work hard, attend workshops, do theatre, and keep learning.

Visit the FPJ website to read the full article