Ukhrul: Reingaphan Awungshi, popularly known as Victor Awungshi, a 34-year-old award-winning actor from the Tangkhul film industry, has been cast in the upcoming season of the hit web series The Family Man season 3. Awungshi is among a select group of actors from Northeast India, including those from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Sikkim, highlighting the growing representation of talent from the region in mainstream film industries.
The Family Man, an Amazon Prime Video series created by Raj & DK, is an action-packed drama that follows the story of Srikant Tiwari, a middle-class man secretly working as an intelligence officer. The third season, featuring stars like Manoj Bajpayee and Jaideep Ahlawat, is highly anticipated by audiences across India and beyond following the success of the first two seasons.
A native of Irong village, Senapati district, Awungshi is known for his impressive acting skills and screen presence, making him one of the most sought-after actors in his community. He earned a special jury mention for the film Zingthanwo (Morning Star) at the 2023 Tangkhul Naga Film Festival in Ukhrul district.
Speaking to EastMojo, Awungshi, currently on his fourth day of shooting in Kohima for an action scene, shared that the remaining scenes will be shot in Mumbai. On how he landed the role, Awungshi revealed, “One of my friends connected me with the casting team from D2R Films LLP in Mumbai. It was unexpected, but I’m thrilled to be part of this project, even though my role is minor. It’s an incredible opportunity to work alongside such a renowned actor like Jaideep Ahlawat.”
Awungshi also discussed the differences between the Tangkhul film industry and the mainstream Hindi film industry. “The mainland industry is financially stronger and more organized, with better equipment and professional resources. It’s overwhelming to be associated with such a big project,” he said.
Having already acted in four Tangkhul films, Awungshi shared that working with experienced crew members on The Family Man has motivated him to push harder and improve his craft. However, he lamented the language barrier, which limited his opportunities in the Hindi film industry. “If I were fluent in Hindi, I would have had a bigger role in this project. After this experience, I’ve decided to work on my Hindi skills to advance my career,” he added.
As news of Awungshi’s casting spread, congratulatory messages poured in from the Tangkhul community. Meiphung Productions, the company behind Zingthanwo, posted on their official Facebook account:
“A proud moment for the Tangkhul community! Meiphung Productions’ film Zingthanwo lead actor Reingaphan (Victor) Awungshi has been cast in the upcoming series The Family Man Season 3. This milestone is not only a personal achievement for him but also a significant advancement for Tangkhul talent. It represents increasing visibility and recognition of our actors on a larger stage, paving the way for more opportunities. This is just the beginning of many great things to come.”
The Family Man has garnered critical acclaim, winning 11 Filmfare OTT awards, five Asian Academy Creative Awards, and two awards at the Indian Film Festival in Melbourne.
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