Ahmedabad : Gujarati cinema’s newest release Dusshera has captured attention for its socially rooted storyline and its blend of fresh and familiar faces. Among the cast, the spotlight has turned to Surat-based father–son duo Jagdish Italiya and Yug Italiya, whose appearance in the same film has sparked curiosity due to their unconventional entry into the industry.
While the film leans on contemporary themes and emotional drama, the inclusion of non-traditional actors has added a refreshing dimension to its casting narrative.
Yug Italiya, who has earlier worked in one feature film, plays Maru, a layered and emotionally complex character. His father, Jagdish Italiya—a well-known Surat-based entrepreneur, educationist, singer and former reality TV participant—steps into the role of the antagonist Rahu.
Their joint presence is one of the film’s most distinctive highlights, as a real-life father–son duo debuting together remains an uncommon event in Gujarati cinema.
For me, this was unexpected. They had approached us to cast Yug in their film, but in addition, they offered me the role of Rahu, which I immediately said no to. But Yug convinced me to take the role, saying he believed in the story and the director.
– Jagdiash Italiya, Actor
This being only my second feature film, it was an absolute blast shooting it, especially because I got to do it with my dad.
My character Maru is very complex. I spent a couple of months working on it, and once it was time to shoot, it came down to fine-tuning. The director’s depth in the subject really helped shape my performance.– Yug Italiya, Actor
Though the two share natural comfort in scenes together, each performance stands individually strong within the storyline. Their presence in Dusshera also reflects the evolving creative landscape of Gujarati cinema—becoming more open, experimental and welcoming to talent from non-traditional backgrounds.
For Surat, Dusshera marks a proud moment, emphasizing the city’s growing cultural footprint. The Italiyas’ journey underscores how passion, preparation and belief in a story can help newcomers cross industry boundaries.
