Raghubir Yadav Calls Playing a Scandal-Hit Spiritual Leader a Brutal Test of Endurance

Playing a disgraced spiritual leader in the streaming series "Hunkkaar: The Roar" pushed veteran actor Raghubir Yadav to his limits, making him feel as though he was battling mortality on a daily basis. The sixty-nine-year-old artist portrays Sunil Chakosi, a revered figure who faces allegations of sexual harassment leveled by a minor named Meenu Rawat, a seventeen-year-old character portrayed by Aneet Padda. Immersing himself in the psyche of such a deeply flawed person proved immensely painful for Yadav, who noted that absorbing the suffering caused by his onscreen persona multiplied his own anguish. His total dedication to the craft even impacted his physical well-being, causing his heartbeat to rise due to an earlier heart stent procedure, though he ultimately viewed completing the project as a personal test of courage. To break free from the heavy emotional residue of the role, Yadav immediately accepted an entirely different film project to protect his health and peace of mind. Known widely for his role as Pradhan Ji in the hit show "Panchayat" and critically acclaimed films like "Lagaan" and "Piku", Yadav explained that he constantly seeks out contrasting roles because true acting requires moving between completely different souls. Alongside Padda, the six-episode project features Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ram Kapoor, and Zoya Hussain, and is created by Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra. The thriller series premiered on JioHotstar.