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INTERNATIONAL EMMYS Our show is an underdog, had no glam, no Bollywood backing: Vir Das
Bagging a nomination at the International Emmys is a “big deal” for actor and comedian Vir Das, as he admits not getting nominated for many (awards) back home (in India).
“For a show about India to be nominated abroad is kind of ironic. Just the nomination means your voice has been heard, your talent has been seen,” quips the 42-year-old.
His comedy special Vir Das: For India, is nominated alongside the likes of Call My Agent in the comedy segment. Initially, Das didn’t even believe that this has actually happened.
“I thought it was a joke, this can’t be real,” he confesses, adding, “Then my management confirmed the news. It took a while to sink in because an Indian comic has never been nominated before, and especially stand-up comedy has never been nominated, forget Indian or not. Usually, it is some series which gets nominated in that category. I’m up against some of the best shows in the world such as Call My Agent.”
Soon after the nominations were
VIR DAS, THEN
out, what also created buzz was Das’ appeal on social media for new designers, as he’s looking for only new labels — instead of the usual high end brands — to dress him up for the in-person award ceremony. This decision, indeed, stems from a special thought. “The whole show is about being independent, it’s a self produced show, no glam, no stage, just a random outfit. The show itself was an underdog from India. We didn’t do glam things, [had] no Bollywood backing. Why suddenly abandon that when you’ve been given a huge opportunity to take people along, who’re an underdog like you?” says Das.
Even after getting into films and starring in projects such as Go Goa Gone (2013) and Delhi Belly (2011), Das didn’t give up on stand-up comedy and has no plans to do so even in the future. “I definitely think it’s a good time to be a comic in India, especially the Hindi comics get a lot of attention and opportunities. As an English comic, my focus has always been to create content that goes outside India. The world is actually watching an American version of India, an English and British version of India. I want to give the world an Indian version of our country,” he concludes.
AYESHA JHULKA,
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra’s Serious Men has pushed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the race to win Best Actor trophy at this year’s International Emmy Awards. The veteran director feels the global recognition comes with a stamp of approval for the quality of the project.
“The web film will now be noticed by a wider audience, for me that’s really important, that the film crosses cultural boundaries and is seen around the world. Emmy will give it that recognition, a kind of certificate, of quality as they say. I’m so happy for Nawaz,” says Mishra adding, “I think a lot of the audience will be drawn to it. The world sees my country through my eyes or
SUDHIR MISHRA,
from the eyes of my contemporary filmmakers.”
For the prestigious International award, now Siddiqui will be competing with David Tennant (Des), Roy Nik (Normali) and Christian Tappan (The Great Heist). The nomination itself is a moment of pride for the whole team, feels Mishra. “It is also a recognition for the film, showing that we all are making films of a certain international standard. It’s a kind of recognition of Indian cinema,” asserts the Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003) maker.
He is elated that his vision — which is different from how the West often portrays the country — could reach to a wider audience. “You could have an obvious kind of depiction of Indian social reality, for example, the one that’s there in Slumdog Millionaire (2008). But the
Just the nomination means your voice has been heard, your talent has been seen.
I consciously cut down on films after my biggest hit, Dalaal (1993), else I’d have been doing the same stuff.
Serious Men will now be noticed by a wider audience, for me that’s really important.
oppressed are not always lamenting their fate,” says the director, who feels it’s time to shift the narrative. “I think it is more important for the West to see India as it is and in its various shades, otherwise there is this very patronisingly sympathetic view which is very irritating. I think they need to see India through our eyes, and that’s what the film achieved,” Mishra concludes.