Aparshakti Khurana and Ishwak Singh’s ‘Berlin’ to release on Sep 13 on ZEE5

MUMBAI: Actors Aparshakti Khurana and Ishwak Singh-starrer “Berlin” is set to release on September 13 on ZEE5, the streaming platform announced Thursday.

The spy thriller is directed by Atul Sabharwal of “Class of 83” fame.

Set in the politically-charged atmosphere of 1990s New Delhi, the film unfolds when authorities arrest a deaf-mute young man (Singh) on suspicion of being a foreign spy. The case takes a complex turn as a skilled sign language expert (Khurana) is brought in to interpret, only to find himself drawn into a web of intrigue.

Khurana said “Berlin” would present him in a never-seen-before avatar.

“‘Berlin’ is a film with which I am emotionally connected as it brought out the best in me. Atul Sabharwal pulled me out of my comfort zone and threw me into such a challenging world. It's like being the wildcard in a high-stakes poker game where every player holds a secret.

"Trust me, this isn't your typical binge-watch – it's a mind-bending puzzle that'll have you playing detective from your couch. It’s a character and a role I have never explored before… so, get ready for a surprise. 'Berlin' is where the laughs stop, and the intensity begins,” the actor, who is basking in the success of “Stree 2”, said in a statement.

Singh, best known for his nuanced performance in the series “Pataal Lok”, said working on “Berlin” has been an extremely rewarding experience for him.

"From the word go I knew this was a special film. I found the character and the story very intriguing and much like the plot it was a mystery how I would crack it. I trusted my instincts and believed in Atul Sabharwal’s vision and things just fell in place.

"Playing Ashok who is deaf has without a doubt been the most challenging character I’ve ever played. I had to be fluent in sign language and comfortable enough with it so I naturally go for signing and not speak while performing the scenes. The deaf community takes pride in sign language and doesn’t see it as a handicap. That also had to come through.”

Actor Rahul Bose, who portrays an intelligence officer, said “Berlin” is one of those rare projects that challenge one's perspective on storytelling.

The movie has won accolades for its compelling narrative and stellar performances across the globe at various film festivals including MAMI, Stars Asian International Film Festival in Los Angeles and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

“Berlin”, which is a collaboration between Zee Studios and Yippee Ki Yay Motion Pictures, also stars Rahul Bose, Anupriya Goenka, and Kabir Bedi.