Typicality has never attracted Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub. So, when the role of an atypical cop came his way, thanks to the upcoming series, Kanneda, he jumped at it. “Generally, cops are shown as strong. The novelty of playing a vulnerable cop excited me,” says the actor. 

His 14-year filmography is laced with such unusual characters—from Article 15 (2018) to Scoop (2023). But Ayyub admits that he is often offered parts that aren’t fleshed out. “The character isn’t strong, but I see that we can build it while performing. In Scoop, I enjoyed exploring my character as it was well-written. The problem is when your role has nothing, but you are told, ‘You’re a good actor, do something with it.’”