'I would love to portray an intense negative character': Jason Tham
The Indian actor of Chinese origin has shown off his range in diverse projects and carried that on with recently released JioCinema serial Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond
By Eastern Eye Jun 13, 2024
AN ACTION-PACKED career has seen Jason Tham balance reality TV with acting in films and top TV serials.
The Indian actor of Chinese origin has shown off his range in diverse projects and carried that on with recently released JioCinema serial Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond. He stars alongside acclaimed actors like Jimmy Sheirgill and Lara Dutta in the Hindi language cross-border war drama based on real events about the Pulwama attack, and its aftermath.
Eastern Eye caught up with him to find out more about his journey.
How do you reflect on your journey so far?
I think God spoke to me one day and told me you will achieve things not by luck, but by hard work. My journey as an actor has been like a bumpy rollercoaster ride, but one thing common in all my projects has been my passion and hard work, which is why I am where I have reached today.
Which project has been closest to your heart?
Closest to my heart was a show I did in 2015 called Agent Raghav. Why was it close to my heart? Well, that’s where I met my wife. She was playing the antagonist, and we were the protagonists of that show. That’s also the show where the whole cast became my friends.
Tell us about your new web series?
My newest web series is Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond, which is streaming on JioCinema. It is based on the Phulwama attack and Operation Balakot.
Tell us a little bit about your character?
I play Victor Maisnam, a special agent under the military intelligence unit headed by Kashyap (Jimmy Sheirgill). Victor was an integral part in the success of the operation.
How does a web series compare to films?
Web series are usually vaster in storytelling. You get to the depth of each character and backstory, whereas in films you only have limited hours to show the whole narrative.
Did you learn anything new while working on this web series?
We all know about the Pulwama attack and the Balakot air-strike, but no one knows what went behind the operation. I have been fortunate to be part of untapped information about the operation and feel immense pride of being part of an event that will go down in history. This series has been very informative to us all working on it and for audiences.
Who do you think will connect with your latest series?
This series will connect with everyone, as the infamous Pulwama attack on 2019 and how we retaliated back, is still etched to our minds.
Looking ahead, do you have a dream role?
I would love to portray an intense negative, disturbed character.
What do you enjoy watching?
A show that I binge watched regularly is hit comedy Friends.
What inspires you as an actor?
The whole process to become an actor. The knowledge around us, observation, speech, reading, singing, dancing, action and everything else that is associated with it is inspiring. Every day there is something new to learn and add to my arsenal.
Tell us something not many people know about you?
A lot of the inspiration for my characters comes from video games.
Why should we all tune into this new series?
The gripping drama shows how we courageously retaliated to the threat against terrorism.
Emmy-winning actor Stephen Graham launches a global project inviting fathers to write letters to their sons about manhood.
Project, in collaboration with psychologist Orly Klein, will result in a book titled Letters to Our Sons, to be published by Bloomsbury in October 2026.
Initiative aims to strengthen father–son relationships and counter negative online influences on young boys.
A call for fathers to open up
Stephen Graham, the Emmy-winning actor best known for Netflix’s hit series Adolescence, has launched a new project encouraging fathers across the world to write letters to their sons about what it means to be a man.
The initiative, Letters to Our Sons, aims to explore fatherhood and masculinity through first-hand reflections. The letters will be compiled into a book to be published by Bloomsbury in October 2026. Graham will work with psychologist and lecturer Dr Orly Klein to collect and curate the submissions.
“There is arguably an even bigger disconnect between fathers and sons than ever before,” Graham said. “We want to hear from men of all ages, first-time fathers, absent fathers, fathers who’ve lost, and fathers who just want to find a way to say ‘I love you’ or talk openly about what it means to be a man.”
From screen to real life
The idea builds on the success of Adolescence, the limited Netflix series co-created by Graham that examined modern masculinity and the pressures facing teenage boys in a digital age. The show became the platform’s second most-watched English-language series worldwide and sparked national conversations about male identity and mental health.
Following its release, Adolescence was recommended by politicians and educators alike. MP Anneliese Midgley called for it to be shown in schools and parliament, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer described watching it with his teenage children as “something that hit home hard.” In March this year, the series was made freely available to UK secondary schools.
“After Adolescence, I realised how little space there is for fathers and sons to talk openly about what it means to be a man today,” Graham said.
A shared mission
Dr Klein’s inspiration came from her own experience as a mother. When her son turned 13, she invited her male friends to write letters offering advice for adolescence — an idea that would later evolve into this global project.
Klein, whose work focuses on identity and youth culture, has previously led projects such as Room to Rant, which uses rap as a form of therapy for young men. She and Graham hope that Letters to Our Sons will provide a constructive, emotional space for men to reflect and connect.
Fathers can submit their letters via the project’s website from 15 October 2025 to 12 January 2026. Selected letters will appear alongside contributions from Graham and other public figures.
Addressing a growing concern
The initiative comes amid rising concern about the influence of online misogyny and extremist content targeting young boys. A recent study found that nearly seven in ten boys aged 11 to 14 had encountered posts promoting misogynistic ideas. Meanwhile, the NSPCC reported that 42% of parents had overheard their sons repeating inappropriate or degrading comments about women after exposure to such content.
Graham and Klein hope the project will offer fathers a chance to counter these narratives, with empathy, honesty and a focus on healthy role models.
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