Filmmaker Avinash Das’ Inn Galiyon Mein is getting a positive response because of its timely message on communal harmony. The film stars Jaaved Jaaferi, Vivaan Shah and Avantika Dasani. Vivaan got talking about the film and more in an interview with us.
Vivaan Shah on the sensitive subject of Inn Galiyon Mein, “We are living in volatile times, but this is our little contribution to try and correct that”
Is it an advantage to be known in the film industry as the great Naseeruddin Shah’s son?
I believe that second generation people like me must not get defensive when we are reminded of nepotism. We must accept that we are privileged and have many advantages, and try and move the conversation beyond that. We try to make our families proud and we try and do our best. I like to think that I made it on my own merit but the fact of the matter is that if I had not been who I am, I would probably not have gotten the opportunity that I did to start acting in movies.
Being a second generation person means people know I exist. I am on the radar and the database. This itself is something that is an uphill climb for outsiders because they have to start from scratch. On the other hand, it is unfair that second generation people are picked on more than others. We need to have unity between second generation people and outsiders. We’re all human beings and we’re all doing this for the love of acting and of cinema. Those that are in it for the pursuit of fame and money do not have my sympathy or my understanding.
Tell me how you became a part of Inn Galiyon Mein?
This project came to me during one of those rare productive times—in early 2023. I was at the time atypically swamped with work: I was shooting Charlie Chopra and the Mystery of the Solang Valley (re-uniting with my mentor Vishalji after 7 Khoon Maaf), completing the shoot of a financial thriller web series, doing promotions for the release of my film Coat, and my novel ‘The Forsaken Wilderness’.
When the casting director called me up and told me he wanted to speak to me regarding a film project, I told him I had no dates at all and wouldn’t be able to take on another project. Then he told me it’s a film with the director of Anarkali of Aarrah. As soon as I heard that, I said to myself that I have to do this film, come what may! I am just such a huge fan of that film. When I was preparing to play a Bihari character in Coat, I was told by my mother to watch that film and it was immensely instructive to me in learning the Bihari dialect and understanding the milieu.
Didn’t the sensitive subject of Inn Galiyon Mein, the Hindu-Muslim communal amity theme, intimidate you. After all we are living through volatile times?
It didn’t really intimidate me. On the contrary, it filled me with courage and conviction in what we were doing. We are living in volatile times! But this is our little contribution to try and correct that. One has to stand up for projects one believes in. I have been fortunate that in recent times I have been part of two projects, which have progressive values and have something meaningful to say about the issues of caste and religion: Coat and Inn Galiyon Mein.
What was your preparation like?
I have done the Bihari dialect before on film, and also the UP and MP dialects on stage, so I was reasonably well versed with the vocal nuances and cadences of my character Hariya in Inn Galiyon Mein. Although this is my first time attempting the Avadhi bhasha, which is very specific, my previous endeavours did make it easier and give me some insight into Hariya’s particular tongue. I am born and brought up in Bombay but UP is also in my blood, so I had to locate the UP wala within me and find the dialect in my own voice.
What was it like working with all those stalwarts in Inn Galiyon Mein?
It was a childhood dream come true to work with Jaaved Jaaferi Sir. He’s a personal hero of mine. We also grew up in the same neighbourhood. He is the poet of Bombay: the Bertolt Brecht of Mumbai. And our answer to the great force of nature actors like Jim Carry and Jack Nicholson.
Sushant Sir’s films I have grown up watching, especially Darna Mana Hai and Lakshya. He is one of my favourite actors, and his performance in our film is such a beautiful blend of menace and wit, humour and cunning; he has created such a vivid characterisation: the confidence man and trickster, who plays people against each other. The character of Tiwari is truly something unique thanks to his magnificent interpretation and performance. He also brings such an authenticity with regards to milieu and dialect. It was a treat and an honour to work with them, as well as the amazing Ishtayak Khan whose performance moved me to tears. Bhanga is truly an immortal character; the heart and soul of our film.
Absolutely! It most certainly was. Especially the things I learned from Vishal ji, Farah (Khan) ma’am, and Shah Rukh (Khan) sir. The things I’ve learned from them with regards to the craft of acting and filmmaking have kept me in good stead throughout my life and I have been able to apply them in the projects on which I’ve worked. It was truly illuminating and educational to have worked with them.
How closely did director Avinash Das instruct you with your accent and body language?
I worked very closely with him. He is such a gentle and kind soul, and a really vibrant intellect. I learned so much from him. Every day he would introduce me to a great work of Hindi poetry or literature, or some Urdu Shayari with which I was unfamiliar. A lot of his friends and likeminded folks would visit the set. He created a wonderful atmosphere on the shoot. He helped sculpt my performance. The hairstyle was his idea. And of course he guided me with the dialect. We worked in a very detailed way with regards to that. The body language I invented.
Are you content with the headway you have made so far in your career?
I am grateful to have worked on some very special projects and for all the opportunities that have come my way. Of course, there have been difficult times, fallow periods, and projects which I have been unhappy doing. But such is life, and I try not to dwell on such things. I am very fortunate that the last two years have been productive and that I have managed to keep working and stay employed all these years. At times when I felt that I wasn’t doing too well from a professional standpoint in the acting profession, my work as a novelist and my work in the theatre gave me immense meaning in my life and also gave me the ability to create my own work rather than to wait for work to come my way.
What next?
A really wonderful web series for SonyLIV with the great Sudhir Mishra ji about the 1970s’ student protests. Working with him was a dream come true. There is another really special project that I am doing that is also a dream come true, but since my involvement in it hasn’t been announced formally in the media, I am not able to speak about it as present. Another novel of mine should be coming out soon, and another play as well.
More Pages: Inn Galiyon Mein Box Office Collection
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