Danesh Razvi is basking in his newly acquired fame post the release of Netflix series A Suitable Boy . Adapted from Vikram Seth’s novel of the same name, Danesh plays Kabir Durrani in the six-episode series directed by Mira Nair.
Though the show received mixed response from critics and audience, Danesh admits to being “overwhelmed” by the feedback he got for his role. “It is a little out of my comfort zone,” says the 27-year-old, who is a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, Los Angeles. He, however, has his priorities sorted. “I want to work in good films... projects that I feel passionate about. I don’t want to do things just because I can get paid better,” he says, over a Zoom call from Mumbai.
Edited excerpts:
So how did Mira Nair find you?
It is a yoga connection (laughs). She attends the yoga class taught by my mother. That is how I know her.
What was your brief for the role?
I grew up in Mumbai but the story is set in North India during the post partition years. Mira and I would discuss about what attitude a character set in that era would possess. She said things like: ‘It’s about relating to the people who have been through hell’. The insight helped me get into the character.
However, I had to work on my cricketing skills (laughs). I didn’t really play cricket growing up, so I had to learn how to play the game like a superstar!
Danesh Razvi
How is life post the series?
It has been great. Even strangers have reached out to me through social media and phone to share their feedback and appreciation.
But you are not really active on social media...
I am learning to use social media frequently. I should be using it for work, but I don’t know how to handle it (laughs). I don’t mind promoting something that I am passionate about but I don’t like the approach of selling on social media to get the job. One’s acting chops is what should get someone an acting job, and not social media. It is not my thing but I will grow into it, maybe.
What is your take on the criticism of A Suitable Boy ?
If we are talking about the criticism on the show being in English, I want to say the book is written in English, and so we speak English. The show was picked up by an English production house to be made for the BBC, but we have dubbed it in Hindi too for our audience.
If the show was picked up by an Indian production house, then things would have been different... unfortunately, that did not happen. We are proud of our work but also everyone is entitled to their opinions.
Any upcoming projects?
I’m busy reading scripts at the moment, but I am in talks to finalise my first feature film. We are likely to begin shooting in January 2021.
