Paalin Kabak has become one of the memorable faces of The Family Man. The series continues to pull in huge numbers, with millions of viewers streaming every new season (Season 3). It remains one of the most-talked-about shows of India, which is known for mixing action with real human stories. In this season, Paalin plays the character of Stephen Khuzou, a rebel leader who becomes one of the most layered characters in the story. Stephen begins as the head of the MCA-S rebel group.
Many people see him as someone blocking Project Sahakkar, a plan which was meant to bring development to the North East. His fight with Srikant Tiwari starts sharp, but it slowly becomes clear that Stephen carries the old family wounds. His grandfather trusts the system, while Stephen finds it harder to believe in them. Later in the season, he is framed by a group of billionaires who try to exploit the region. After Srikant realises the truth, he joins Stephen, and the two work together to save lives. The character is bold, emotional and rooted in his culture, and often misunderstood. Paalin Kabak comes up with a very humane side. While speaking to The Statesman, he opened up about the filming procedure, the physical demands and the personal moments behind the role.
Q.Stephen Khuzou changes from a rebel to an ally. How did you approach this shift?
A.For me, Stephen stays a rebel inside. That part of him is constant. The shift happens as he understands that he and Srikant face the same danger. When they finally stand on the same side, it feels natural. Their fight becomes one common fight. I followed the way the character grows in the script, and that guided my performance. Raj and DK will decide his future, but the change felt true.
Q. Which scene in Season 3 tested you the most emotionally or physically? The physical side was hard. Stephen is older than me, so I had to gain weight and change my posture. The running scenes were tiring . The action sequences needed a lot of energy. Emotionally, the moment I shared the frame with Manoj Bajpayee meant a lot. I had been admiring it since my NSD days. The police chase scene also pushed me as it needed strength and calmness at the same time.
Q.How did you make Stephen’s North East identity feel authentic on screen?
I worked with coaches and took accent classes. I am from Arunachal Pradesh, but we shot in Nagaland. The way people speak is different, so I had to learn and adjust at the same time. I also spoke with former rebel members to know about their experiences. This helped me to take the role to the best possible limit. Long sessions with dialogue writers helped me to shape the way Stephen speaks and reacts. I trained, gained weight and tried to move in a way that felt true for someone who is part of this region.
Q.What was it like working with Manoj Bajpayee and the rest of the cast?
It felt warm and encouraging. Everyone was friendly and supportive. Manoj sir had once come to NSD for a workshop, so sharing scenes with him felt almost emotional. The cast had so much discipline that it pushed me to give my best. Being around them made the whole journey easier and more satisfying.
How did your time at NSD influence your approach to the role?
NSD helped me in many ways. It taught me how to enter a character. How to observe people. How to stay honest in every scene. The training helped me to shape my discipline and my understanding of performance. It gave me the tools I needed for Stephen. What message do you hope viewers take away from Stephen’s journey? It is completely in the hands of the audience. They will decide how they want to see the character. I have given my full effort, and the rest depends on them.