Veteran actor Raghubir Yadav has opened up about the heavy cost of playing a godman accused of sexual abuse in the new JioHotstar series Hunkkaar: The Roar. The 69-year-old actor said the role pushed him to a dark place emotionally and physically, at one point even affecting his heart health.
Yadav plays Sunil “Baapji” Chakosi, a powerful spiritual leader in a fictional town called Saburi in Madhya Pradesh. The six-episode courtroom drama premiered on JioHotstar on Friday, September 25, 2026.
The actor told PTI that stepping into the mind of a man who harms others left him in pain.
“I am telling the truth I have fought death every single day because of the pain I have gone through with this character,” Yadav said.
“I am not this person but the pain of what that character had done to others was inside me. That is why my pain was four or five times more,” he added.
Health Scare During Filming
Yadav already had a stent procedure done before working on the show. He said his habit of fully becoming a character made things worse. His heartbeat would rise while filming intense scenes.
“I have this habit of getting completely immersed in a character, and in this process, my heartbeat would rise. But I was determined to do it and reach that character,” he said.
Reports said he had to be taken to hospital during the shoot after his health worsened. He returned to work after treatment and completed the series.
After wrapping up Hunkkaar, Yadav made a point to take on a completely different project. He wanted to clear his mind. He joked that staying in Baapji’s headspace could have meant needing another heart stent.
Why He Took the Role
Yadav said the character was the exact opposite of who he is. He described it as a stark contrast to his own nature and way of thinking.
“Well, actually, it was completely contrary to my very existence and nature. The character… I mean, who I am as a person, my personality, my thought process, the way I live my life or wish to live it—it was entirely opposite, a stark contrast. So that in itself was a challenge for me,” he told ANI.
“And while not with a smile, I accepted it through quite a bit of struggle and discomfort.”
The series creators, Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra, said they chose Yadav on purpose. They wanted someone known for warm, likeable roles to play a creepy villain. The idea was to avoid typecasting.
Kapadia told Hindustan Times that Yadav is “a real kalakaar” and that nobody had seen this side of him before.
Mehra said the godman character stands for more than just a religious figure. “The godman really stands for so much more than just the godman; it really stands for people in power,” she said.
What the Show Is About
Hunkkaar: The Roar follows 17-year-old Meenu Rawat, played by Aneet Padda, who accuses Baapji of sexual assault. The story moves through police investigation, courtroom battles, and media coverage.
The cast includes Fatima Sana Shaikh as ACP Jasleen Singh Soni, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as lawyer Bhalerao, Arjun Mathur as news anchor Amitabh Sinha, Ram Kapoor, and Zoya Hussain.
The show is directed by Karan D Kapadia, Nitya Mehra, and Heeraz Marfatia. It was filmed before Padda’s Bollywood debut in Saiyaara.
Where to Watch Around the World
Hunkkaar: The Roar is streaming on JioHotstar in India. For viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, the series is available on JioHotstar in regions where the platform operates. Viewers outside India can also check Hotstar availability through regional apps. The show dropped all six episodes on September 25, 2026.
What Critics Are Saying
Reviews have praised Yadav’s performance as the standout element. NDTV wrote, “Come for Aneet Padda but you’ll be forced to stay for Raghubir Yadav.” The review called him excellent as the “Pied Piper of Saburi.”
Variety India said Yadav is “magnificent” and makes the godman “simultaneously charming, manipulative, unsettling and almost impossible to read.”
Rediff noted that Yadav “slips almost unrecognisably under Sunil Chakosi aka Baapji’s skin.”
Filmfare called his casting a “masterstroke” and said he delivers “a masterclass in portraying a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Some reviews pointed out that the show’s writing does not always match the strength of its performances. Times Now said the series delivers “strong performances, grounded setting and compelling moments, but uneven writing” holds it back.
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The Title’s Meaning
Yadav explained what “Hunkkaar” means to him.
“Whether the issue is big or small, you have to roar (hunkarna), to voice your stance and bring out the truth. So that’s what it is. I believe it isn’t about big or small; when a person is completely overwhelmed from within and feeling suffocated, then other than letting out a roar, there is… [no other way],” he said.
The series marks a sharp turn for Yadav, who is best known as Pradhan Ji from Panchayat. His film credits include Salaam Bombay!, Bandit Queen, Lagaan, Peepli Live, Piku, and Newton.
Raghubir Yadav’s Hunkkaar role has sparked fresh talk about how far actors go for a part—explore more behind-the-scenes stories and OTT updates only on VvipTimes.
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