Whereas researching for this interview, we found that Namit Das is just not solely an actor but in addition a educated singer, owing to his musical lineage. So, we requested him to hum a tune — and he did — leaving us pleasantly shocked by the vary of his expertise. This yr has been significantly thrilling for Das. He starred in Aap Jaisa Koi in July, adopted by The Taj Story in October, and now, Hamara Vinayak, by which he performs Lord Ganesha. “November is a turning section for me,” says Das, as he talks about his upcoming work. In dialog with mid-day, he discusses what drew him to the present, the way it appeals to a common viewers, and why he in the end selected appearing over music.
Excerpts from the interview.
What was your first impression of Hamara Vinayak when it was supplied to you?
Once I learn it for the primary time, I realised there’s a lot content material releasing on streaming platforms, tv, and social media. However we don’t have a present that’s blissful, easy, and talks about primary values on how human beings ought to exist and reside happier. And this appeared like one thing that may match into that class and nature. I felt it could be a clutter-breaker, and a problem for me to play this character.
Being the son of ghazal singer Chandan Dass, and having educated in music since childhood, how did it not turn out to be the main target of your profession?
I’ve a band and I’ve launched just a few songs right here and there. I believe life surprises you, let’s put it that means. Typically, while you’re planning for all times, life is definitely planning for you. And it’s important to reside in response to no matter is thrown at you. One way or the other, singing by no means occurred. Even after I was rising up, I used to go for school competitions. [But] singing by no means gave me the correct course [then]. I don’t know what occurred there, nevertheless it got here again and it retains coming again into my life by way of theatre and different codecs.
Was there strain to comply with in your father’s footsteps?
No. My dad and mom are very candy. They’ve at all times stood by and supported no matter decisions I made. In actual fact, a few of my relations had been shocked with my alternative of topics in school. However my mum stood by me. She mentioned that if he desires to take up arts, then that’s his determination. In actual fact, my father mentioned one thing very lovely after I informed him that I wish to be a singer, actor, and be within the performing arts. He mentioned, ‘Beta, karne ki vidya hai, jitna karoge, utna hello paoge.’ That’s what I’ve lived by.
Once you decide roles, do you resolve based mostly on how they align together with your ambitions within the trade?
In no way. A number of my decisions are decided by the conversations I’ve with the makers. On this case, I interacted with director and author duo Ashutosh [Chaturvedi] and Pankaj [Mavchi], Agastya [Jain], who’s the creator and showrunner, and [producer] Siddharth Kumar Tewary. Once you begin having enjoyable in these conversations, that’s if you align with the undertaking.
Did Aap Jaisa Koi and The Taj Story change your trajectory?
You possibly can’t plan these items. It has all been very natural and instinctive. Whereas I don’t suppose it modified something, the audiences will know higher how my profession is shaping up. You simply maintain doing no matter comes your means, it helps you survive within the metropolis and construct a life.
Most Ganesha tales are meant to attract children to a present. So who’s the target market of Hamara Vinayak?
I believe all people — from children to senior residents. It’s such a cheerful present. It brings in plenty of positivity. It’s such a common topic that it’ll join with all age teams. When the primary episode dropped, my nephew linked with it and so did my uncle, who’s 15 years older than me.
With a values-driven present, there’s at all times the danger of sounding preachy. How did you preserve the stability?
The writers, Ashutosh and Pankaj, truly maintained that stability. Once I was having a chat with them initially, I expressed the identical concern. Once I learn it, I realised their imaginative and prescient steered away from the preachiness or the traps of a topic like that. It was utterly reverse. The viewers learns issues on a subliminal stage. It’s within the mannerisms and little seems; it’s completed in a really subliminal means.
Moreover stepping into the garb of Vinayak, what else did you do to get into the zone for the position?
I believe it was quite simple for me. It needed to be divinity — one thing otherworldly. I broke it right down to the innocence and power of a kid that each one of us wish to maintain on to. I simply tapped into that, actually.
What’s subsequent after this?
I’ve a movie known as Minimal, which is the opening movie for the Jagran Movie Pageant. The movie additionally stars Saba Azad, Naseeruddin Shah, and Geetanjali Kulkarni. There’s a present for Applause [Entertainment], which has been ready for a while. There may be one other movie known as Vrindavan, which can discover its means
sooner or later.