Namit Das on reprising the iconic role of PK Dubey in the Monsoon Wedding Broadway musical

Namit Das (second from left) and Mira Nair (in white) during rehearsals

The first thing that Namit Das tells us about Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding is that it was the first film he watched with his first girlfriend at a Bandra theatre. Now prepping for the musical adaptation of the 2001 award-winning film to open on Broadway next year, the actor says it will be a three-way attack.

"Broadway has always been challenging. Singing and acting while the world is sitting out there and judging you is no mean feat. I have no idea how I will manage that," says Namit. Even if he's nervous, he does well not show it. Last seen in television show Sumit Sambhal Lega, a remake of Everybody Loves Raymond, the actor will reprise the role of
PK Dubey (played by Vijay Raaz) for the musical.

Vijay Raaz as PK Dubey

"I was selected on the basis of my skill set - singing and dancing, specifically. I am not considering a career in Broadway, but I want to do a good job at it. I don't want anything to hamper my growth as an actor," he says, insisting that he has decided not to meet Raaz for insight into the character. "That would have been a convenient option, but I want to bring my own to it."

Interestingly, the musical will be a heady mix of English writing and Indian classical notes composed by Vishal Bhardwaj. "The tunes are intrinsically Indian and mostly raag-based, but the words are in English. I am doing my riyaaz every morning. I also have a band, so my vocal skills never lack rehearsal. Vishal sir is quite busy with Rangoon, but soon enough, I must visit his house and understand a few nuances he had mentioned to me in the last workshop," says Namit.

Namit believes Broadway culture in America is on the brink of a massive change. "People tend to play safe at times. But, that's not Mira's style. Broadway is opening up to new ideas. Their current favourite play is Hamilton and it traces the history of rap music. That's unusual too," he says.