Superboys of Malegaon actor Saqib Ayub opens up about his unexpected rise to fame after 'Farzi'

Saqib Ayub, renowned for his roles in Superboys of Malegaon and Amazon Prime's 'Farzi', recently reflected on his rising popularity. Despite limited screen time as Anees Bhai in 'Farzi', his portrayal left a lasting impact. Initially unaware of the show's success while filming 'Superboys', Saqib was surprised by the overwhelming recognition he received afterward.
In a conversation with Pinkvilla, Saqib recalled his journey from 'Farzi' to 'Superboys of Malegaon' and his upcoming project 'HIT 3'. At the time of Farzi's release, he was filming 'Superboys of Malegaon' in Nashik and missed the premiere. However, his co-star Vineet Kumar Singh attended the event and later praised Saqib's work, predicting the show's success.
He further shared how his life changed after 'Farzi', saying, "My world went upside down in a good way with this newfound fame. People started recognizing me at public places like the beach or cafes, clicking pictures and appreciating my work." He added, "They remembered me as Anees Bhai despite just 20 minutes of screen time over 14-15 days. The show’s success and recognition made it even more special. From 'Farzi to Superboys', I transitioned from being a nobody to becoming somebody."
Ayub recalled how 'Farzi' catapulted him to fame in just a month. While he was filming 'Superboys of Malegaon', he was unaware of the buzz surrounding him. It wasn't until he returned to Bombay that he realized his newfound fame, with people recognizing him, praising his work, and requesting photos. He also expressed disappointment over 'Love Adhura', which, despite its impressive production and visuals, failed to resonate with audiences as expected.
The actor began his journey with 'Thugs of Hindostan' alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. His critically acclaimed film 'Superboys of Malegaon' premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Upcoming projects include 'HIT 3', 'First Copy', and 'Love in Vietnam'.