Can you elaborate on what happened?
As a producer, I was a long-standing and official employee of the Broadcasting Corporation. However, in order to act in the series Little Forest, I was forced to take a year of unpaid leave. The condition was that I would return to my position after filming. But during the production, I discovered that, under the pretext of “their presence in theater, film, and cinema is essential,” they had decided to render me and several others surplus to requirements. My fifteen years of service were effectively ignored.
This ill-considered action shocked me. It was an emotionally fragile moment, as I had always taken pride in my career.
Early Career and Challenges
Before Kouchak Jangali, you worked on television in the series The Legend of the Sultan and the Shepherd. Was this experience any different?
Yes, I was the producer of that series and also played a role in it. However, problems and conflicting encounters had already begun to form during that time. The situation ultimately led me to make a difficult decision. I requested to be released from my service at the Broadcasting Corporation. After finishing Kouchak Jangali — which unfortunately remained incomplete — and completing Maybe Another Time, I left Iran despite my love for the country. With the prevailing hostile attitudes among certain officials, I felt that staying would only lead to more difficulties.
The Role of a Lifetime
Let’s discuss your role in Kouchak Jangali. Playing contemporary characters who are deeply ingrained in the public’s imagination is rare. Do you view this as a special opportunity?