I was worried that I might become just the hero’s friend, says Namit Das

Rishabh Suri

Actor Namit Das has been in the industry for many years, and has tried his hand at pretty much everything related to the craft of acting — be it theatre, TV, films, and even dubbing for Hollywood films. He was first noticed playing Ranbir Kapoor’s friend in Wake Up Sid (2009). But Namit wasn’t prepared for what was going to happen next — he was swamped with offers, all requiring him to play ‘hero ka dost’.

“That was my worry at one point of time — I might become the hero’s friend, in a yellow or brown shirt, but that didn’t happen, luckily. You have to stand up and then choose. There are things you’ll do which will leave a mark in the audience’s memory. Our industry is such that it starts seeing you in a similar light again and again. You have to be careful,” says the 35-yearold, who also played the lead in the show Sumit Sambhal Lega, a Hindi adaptation of Everybody Loves Raymond.

Though Namit doesn’t have many films in his kitty, he has his hands full with web projects, besides A Suitable Boy directed by Mira Nair.

“I’ll be shifting to London for a short while, for Monsoon Wedding — The Musical. Then I’m awaiting the release of my web series, and a film Bahut Hua Sammaan. A Suitable Boy comes out in June or July, hopefully,” he shares.

All praise for Mira, he gushes, “She’s fantastic, and one of those special people in the world. She’s so instinctive, so senior — she

Our industry is such that it starts seeing you in a similar light again and again. You have to be careful.

NAMIT DAS ACTOR

has done this all her life, for instance, [she made] Salaam Bombay (1988)... before anyone of us were probably alive or sane to think about things. Half the time, you’re just learning from her.”

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/NAMITDAS