Gopal Datt, who is known for his comic timing and hilarious roles in films and web shows like The Office and TVF Pitchers, is switching it up and will be seen in an intense role in Sony Liv’s Kathmandu Connection. Ask him what made him say yes to it and he explains that it was his character. “It wasn’t the usual comedic roles that I have been getting offered. Our industry stereotypes it’s actors very easily, so around two years ago, I made a conscious decision to choose diverse roles. Here I play Hitesh Aggarwal, a CBI officer who is very focused and sincere, something very different from the league and that excited me. His story, as he unfolds the case under him, was very intriguing, so I just couldn’t say no,” he insists.
Gopal will be sharing screen with Amit Sial in the show, who he worked with in A Simple Murder last year, and he is all praise for him. “Amit ji and I are very close friends since we worked together on A Simple Murder. We share a comfort zone with each other and above that, a trust factor, that made doing any scene very easy. We knew how to give space and complement each other and that made the process very fun,” he raves.
Having also been part of many films, Gopal prefers OTT over films and he explains why. “OTT is giving different stories that are not hero-centric. They have subplots that are treated well and given due importance, so it is an amazing place to work. In films, we are interested only in the hero and his life, but on OTT one can explore other characters. I am getting interesting work offers and a choice here,” he shares.
Getting stereotyped is nothing new to Gopal but all he wants is an opportunity to explore. “I am grateful for the love and appreciation that the audience gives to me as a comedic actor but as an artist I want to explore my other dimensions and I think that opportunity should be given. But in our industry not many people want to take risks and think out of the box. They want to put you in a mould and not notice the potential in an actor. But that opportunity to evolve and explore should be given to each actor,” he asserts.
Gopal is a writer and has also directed plays. So, any plans of doing that on screen? “I am writing scripts and I want to direct as well but personally; my training period is going on right now. I learn different things while on set like the lenses and the shot breakdown, but eventually I really want to direct a film. Being from Nainital, I have been working on a story set in the mountains and the day I think that it is ready, I will like to direct it. Till then, the development is happening slowly in secret,” he smiles.
The actor was a part of the International Emmy winning drama Delhi Crime, and informs that he is in season 2 as well. “We have shot for the series and I think only a few days of work is left that got delayed due to Covid, so hopefully we should hear an announcement soon,” he informs, adding that he can’t reveal anything else but it is going to be an interesting story. “The reception of season 1 was so amazing that we were really excited to work on season 2, but it added a lot of responsibility too as the expectations are higher. The result will come only after it is released, but we have worked really hard on it,” he says.
Gopal was also a part of the Indian adaptation of the American mockumentary sitcom The Office, where he stepped into Rainn Wilson’s shoes. The show came with two seasons two years ago but there hasn’t been any update on a third season yet. Ask him about it and he says, “We also keep on hearing that it is happening, but we haven’t been conveyed anything yet. Although, personally, I really want to do it as this show grows a lot as it progresses. We don’t know if it will happen, but I am really eager to do it,” he avers.
The actor is currently shooting for Lionsgate’s U-Special with brothers Akarsh and Adhaar Khurana till May. “After that I have another web show where I am also involved in the writing, but that is still being developed,” he informs. Any plans of returning to the big screen? “We don’t even know what is happening with the big screen with what Covid has done. Also, the offers I did get weren’t exciting as such as they were all hero-centric, so presently my focus is on web only,” he signs off.
Image Source: Instagram/gopaldatt
Image Source: Instagram/gopaldatt