Taaruk Raina Opens Up About the Challenges of His Lead Role in The Waking of a Nation

New Delhi: Taaruk Raina, widely recognized for his role in Netflix’s Mismatched, faced several rounds of auditions before landing the lead in The Waking of a Nation, directed by Ram Madhvani. While the opportunity was a dream come true, it came with intense pressure and anxiety.

The upcoming historical drama is set during British colonial rule and centers on the events leading to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, along with the Hunter Commission’s inquiry that followed. In the series, Raina portrays a determined lawyer who strives to uncover the truth behind the tragic incident.

“I was trying hard to get this part when I did the auditions. But I got scared once I got it. There was a part of me that felt it looked like a dream too big,” Raina shared with PTI.

After securing the role, the 30-year-old actor said the responsibility felt overwhelming. The filmmaking process was unfamiliar and emotionally intense, which brought self-doubt and internal conflict. He admitted feeling “scared, stressed, and nervous” during the early stages.

Known for his performances in Sharmaji Namkeen and The Broken News, Raina said things improved when he finally confided in director Ram Madhvani.

“It involved multiple nervous breakdowns. One fine day, when I couldn't handle it, I was like, ‘I need help.’ So, I went to him and said, ‘Sir, I am terrified. I don't know how I am going to handle this.’ Then he told me that he is scared. That day I got better at handling (the pressure).”

Seeing his face on the show’s poster was a surreal and humbling moment for him. “I've never experienced this, and I've not processed it fully. I'm satisfied. This is very new to me, I feel incredibly lucky. There are some days when I still don't believe what Ram saw in me. I hope that I've done everything in my power to do justice to it. I don't know if I have or not, but I hope that I have at least tried my hardest,” he said.

The series also features Nikita Dutta, Sahil Mehta, and Hari Singh, who play crucial roles in helping the lead character uncover the conspiracy.

Dutta, known for films like Kabir Singh and The Big Bull, said her character allowed her to step into unfamiliar territory. “I don't feel like I've had that opportunity where I get to give it my all... which is completely out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I feel immensely proud to be a part of such a story, which comes from so much honesty and detailed research work.”