New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) After playing the protagonist in films like 'Trapped', 'Behen Hogi Teri', 'Bareilly Ki Barfi', 'Newton' and 'Shadi Mein Zaroor Aana', National award winning actor Rajkummar Rao is set to essay role of an antagonist in Hansal Mehta’s 'Omerta'.
The trailer of the film, which releases on Wednesday, show Rao, who has till now played the boy next door, make a seamless transformation into a dreaded terrorist.
In 'Omerta', directed by Hansal Mehta, Rao essays British-Pakistan terrorist, Omar Saeed Shaikh, considered to be one of the most dreaded terrorists of all time.
Trade sources said the trailer of the film leaves one amazed at the way the actor slips under the skin of the character.
From its first looks and its trailer, 'Omerta', which features Rajkummar in an avatar diametrically opposite from his earlier films, comes across as a taut, gripping, fast-paced thriller, Hansal Mehta, who has worked with Rao in films like 'Shahid' and 'Citylights' says watching the actor in the film is a revelation.
'Audiences will be surprised to see Rajkummar’s antagonistic turn in Omertà. Here is a man you will and must loathe,' Hansal said in a chat.
For Rao himself, it has been his toughest roles to date.
'It is not easy to play the anti-hero. Doing Omertà required me to undergo a makeover in terms of my look, my demeanour and my body language.
'Omertà' is the true story of one of the most dreaded terrorists of our times.
Shot in real locations across London and India, Hansal’s Omertà exposes the real and present danger of Pakistan sponsored terror.
The film's release in India comes after garnering tremendous acclaim at International Film Festivals.
The film received excellent reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival 2017, followed by the Busan International Film Festival and a very successful screening as the closing film at the Mumbai Film Festival 2017.
Produced by Swiss Entertainment and directed by Hansal, Omertà is woven around some of the most bloody terror attacks in recent history, including the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks, the Mumbai terror strike and the brutal beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl.
Talking about the film, Mehta said 'Omerta' will expose state-sponsored terrorism and how it manipulates young minds.
'Omerta exposes state-sponsored terrorism and how it manipulates young minds into believing a sordid interpretation of Jihad. Terror is all about power,' Mehta said.
On his expectations from the film, Mr Mehta said, 'packed screenings at film festivals around the world were met with shocked silence and often anger. I am expecting similar reactions from the audience to this shocking tale.'
The first poster of the film was released on Monday. It shows Rajkummar praying under the target sign..
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