Ms Marvel is a textbook example of representation, says Mohan Kapur

The latest superhero web-series, Ms Marvel (2022), ends its first season today. Created by Bisha K Ali, the Marvel series has been co-directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, as well as Meera Menon and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. The six-episode show stars Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, an ordinary teenager and Captain Marvel fan who suddenly discovers hidden superpowers thanks to an ancient bangle and surprising family history that connects generations.

Ahead of the grand finale, Cinestaan.com spoke with actor Mohan Kapur, who plays Kamala’s understanding and caring father, Yusuf Khan. The actor, who makes his international debut with the Marvel series, discussed the pandemic shooting experience, enjoying his first song and dance on camera, and his hopes for the future of the Khan family.

Calling himself fortunate, Kapur expressed gratitude to his agent/manager in Los Angeles for connecting him with the script. “I didn’t know how big this project would be, because I’m just an actor. I always say, 'Kaam mila hai, kaam kar le [you've got the job, just do it]'. I just did my job,” he said, adding in retrospect, that he was still in awe at being a part of the Marvel universe.

He felt humbled to be a part of the massive series which was shot during the pandemic in 2020 and the first half of 2021, in both the United States and Thailand.

“It was incredible [experience] because Marvel is amazing,” the actor recalled of the strict protocols. “They protected all us actors and the entire cast and crew so much. We actors used to get tested for COVID every alternate day, whether we were shooting or not. Anyone who came in contact with us was called into the blue zone. They would get tested every day, [like] makeup, hair, director, sound, etc. They really looked after us and made us very secure.”

The Khan family in Ms Marvel consists of Kamala, her brother Aamir and their parents Yusuf and Muneeba. The cast has its roots India and Pakistan, showcasing real South Asia representation.

Kapur explained, “I’m an Indian playing a Pakistani. There’s Zenobia Shroff, who plays my wife Muneeba. She’s a Parsi from India but has been in America for the last 32 years. Saagar Shaikh, who plays my son, is a Pakistani, born and brought up in Texas, and there’s Iman Vellani who plays Kamala Khan, Ms Marvel, who is a Pakistani, born and brought up in Canada. The casting was so perfect because we all know the South Asian sensibility.”

There’s a sense of ease and familiarity amongst the Khans, but the actor revealed that the family bonding was restricted to the set. “Because of COVID, we couldn’t really hang out and go out for dinner. “We couldn’t do any of that. Everything was [from] the script,” he said.

“It just worked out brilliantly and we didn’t have to compare notes,” he added. “We didn’t have to rehearse or discuss. It just fell into place, because everybody is from that milieu. It just worked.”

Even behind the camera, thanks to the contributions of writers Sana Amanat and Bisha K Ali, the story is rooted and real. Kapur also revealed that around 70% of the crew was either Indian or Muslim.

Besides depicting a teenage girl coming to terms with her superhero abilities, Ms Marvel also looks at a painful part of the continent’s history as it incorporates the Partition into the family’s history. Pakistani actor Fawad Khan plays an important ancestor in Kamala’s past, while Indian actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar plays a key ally of Kamala’s in the present who helps her on her path to discovery.

Many viewers of South Asian descent found themselves moved by the heartfelt portrayal of the dark chapter in their history.

“They just got it right,” Kapur said. “I think the world should know about India, Pakistan and the Partition because there was trauma on both sides of the border. Marvel has done that fabulously, albeit from the family’s point of view. But it doesn’t demean India’s side of the story; it shows one family’s story and that’s because it is a story.”

He added, “I’ve been playing a dad for the longest time, even in Bollywood [the Hindi film industry], but playing a dad, Yusuf Khan, in Marvel, [with a] character that has been written so beautifully... I’m just overwhelmed with the response that I’m getting.”

He attributed the success of the show to South Asian audiences embracing the story and seeing part of themselves onscreen. “Ms Marvel is a textbook example of representation,” he said, adding that the makers worked hard to make it feel genuine. “[In] 30 years, I never did a Bollywood song and dance in India, but I go to Hollywood and I do a song and dance [there]. It’s incredible.”

Fans telling Kapur they wished they had a dad like him and calling Yusuf one of the best fathers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been overwhelming and humbling for the actor. The realness of Kamala’s journey is also a massive factor in the show’s likeability.

Speaking about the sixth and final episode of Ms Marvel, Kapur shared, “It’s going to be epic. It’s going to launch Kamala Khan into the [larger] world.”

“There’s a very precious scene between Yusuf and her. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I would like audiences to watch out for that because the makers, editors and everybody else say they got a tear in their eye when they saw that scene,” he added.

Kapur didn’t reveal if the Khans would be back for season two or show up again in a feature film, as he stated nothing had been confirmed. But he and the rest of the cast and crew are hoping for the best.

The actor was also present for the show’s big Los Angeles premiere. Kapur will also be seen in India in an upcoming web-series in a small but key part and revealed another cameo role. “I’ve done a cameo for a very important, great Disney+ Hotstar series called Old Boy,” he shared. “My director and writer have given me a character that I have never done before. So I’m looking forward to that.”