Kapil Sharma went full-throttle to prepare for his part as a delivery in Bhubaneswar in Nandita Das’s elegiacal Zwigato which clocks two years this week.
Apparently, Nandita initially wanted Nawazuddin Siddiqui to play the lead.
Kapil admits this to be true. “I’ve also been told that Nawaz Bhai was Nandita Ma’am’s first choice. They had worked together in both her earlier directorials Firaaq and Manto. But this time, Nawaaz bhai had some date issues. I am glad. Otherwise, I’d have missed the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Kapil feels he is the right choice for Zwigato. ” If Nawaz Bhai was in the film, there would be no surprise. He is expected to be convincing in any role, whereas my playing a delivery boy was seen to be shocking, although, for me, the role is not alien at all. I’ve been through the worst phases, and you’ve been with me through some of my toughest times.”
He also admits there is the novelty factor in casting him in the lead for this film. “Nawaz Bhai in a realistic role is so obvious. Whereas I was unexpected. Log sochte honge Nandita Ma’am ko kya ho gaya . Why Kapil? I hope the film will justify my presence.”
In fact Kapil Sharma has given a performance simmering with wounded pride. It is a thoroughly credible performance.
Says Kapil, “Playing a delivery boy came very naturally to me. I know this character. I’ve lived life on the fringes, not as a delivery boy. Lekin maine bhi chote chote kaam kiye hain. Before I came to television, I did small jobs. Even the environment in the delivery boy’s house is familiar to me. A large joint family all sleeping in one room. Yeh duniya dekhi hui hai maine.”
