Rahul Khanna on ‘The Americans’: ‘Dream come true’

Actor Rahul Khanna had watched the period drama series The Americans, but did not anticipate he would be offered a part in it.

The Americans, created and produced by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg, is set during the Cold War period in the early 1980s.

“I was not expecting the offer. It came out of the blue and I was really excited. It was a show that I had watched. I really liked my character [who is] suave and James Bond-like.

“So it was a dream come true to be able to work on a theme like this, on a show that I loved and watched, too. It is so well regarded all over the world. It felt great.” Khanna said.

The 43-year-old actor plays a Pakistani intelligence officer, Yousaf Rana, who makes frequent trips to Washington DC and ends up getting entangled in a web that the KBG (secret service of the Soviet Union) sets for him and then becomes an informer for them.

The series premiered in 2013, but Khanna’s character was largely seen in season three.

“Initially, I was just [supposed] to be in one episode of the second season but the makers brought my character back for the third as well. So that was good.”

Khanna, who was also seen in the Indian adaptation of drama series 24, believes television is seeing a resurgence, and even though The Americans is set during the Cold War, it will find an audience back home in India.

“Working on the show was fantastic. I feel it is the golden age of television because America is producing such incredible television content. The Americans is thoroughly well-researched, historical, and based on true events.

“So a lot of people in India will remember the time when the US and the Soviet Union were in the Cold War together and how the world had to take sides. Anyone who likes dramatic spy thrillers will enjoy it.”

Khanna made his Bollywood debut with Deepa Mehta’s 1999 period drama Earth, and has appeared in films such as Love Aaj Kal and Wake Up Sid. The actor, last seen in Fireflies in 2014, wants to do more challenging roles in Hindi films.

“As an actor, one always looks for interesting, challenging and creative characters. One does not want to be doing the same thing over and over again. I am to open anything as long as it is good.

“Right now, I am in talks for a couple of films. Hopefully, those will work out. I haven’t done a film in India for a while so I am looking forward to doing more.”