'We are responsible for what we portray on screen', says Actor Dino Morea
Amidst the controversies faced by Tandav and The Empire, Actor Dino Morea says, "We are responsible for what we portray on screen".
In the Disney+ Hotstar series The Empire, Dino Morea has played the role of Uzbek leader Muhammad Shaybani Khan. As an unhinged, barbaric leader, consumed in himself for power and flesh, Dino has unleashed an animalistic magnetism on screen with a brooding face, kohl-lined eyes and a towering personality.
Morea shared, "I have never played such a fantastic antagonist role. When I first heard the character I found it super interesting. It is a devious, cunning character with many shades. He believes you don’t inherit the throne but you have to earn it. To play a character you have to understand the mindset and the world. For me, The Empire was an opportunity of a lifetime and I am glad that the hardwork has paid off."
The series is based on Alex Rutherford’s Empire of the Moghul: Raiders from the North. The reviews of the show explains that the show is appreciated and criticised by the viewers. Many people on social media have urged to ban the series. To this, Morea says, "People need to understand that this is a fictional story based on a book. It is not a biopic. We are talking about a Mughal emperor which traces the saga of an empire from the valley of Ferghana to Samarkand. We are not glorifying anything. We are bound to have likes and dislikes. We can’t please everybody."
Earlier this year, on Amazon Prime Video Dino's show Tandav was released. The nine-episode political thriller created an uproar for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. To this he says, "As filmmakers and actors, we have to be careful about what we put out. We are responsible for what we portray on screen. Is this curbing freedom of speech? Today, everyone has sentiments and the idea should be not to hurt anyone’s sentiments."
In a recent interview, the actor shared about his struggle. He says, "I look at it in a way where filmmakers didn’t see me fit into any character. In the end, it is all about business. I am a producer myself and I have realised when an actor is doing well, his stocks are up and people will want you. When the stocks are down, no one will like to invest in you. I think The Empire has raised the stakes for me in terms of my acting capabilities. People are already sending me feelers and I have been reading things so hopefully things are just going to get better."
