INDIA SHINING AT 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 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.