Vir Das – Whiskey Cavalier

By starrymag | May 1, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects you have been busy working on?

A) I’m kind of done shooting for a while now. I shot 210 days last year. So, it’s just going to be back on the road and on tour again doing standup. So, I have a new show called “Loved” and it’s a comedy show about love. It’s touring the US and eventually the world after that. I’ll get working on my next Netflix at some point and time and there will be a Bollywood movie at some point this year. So, that’s going to be largely it.

Q) How was your character Jai Datta on “Whiskey Cavalier” originally described to you?

A) He wasn’t. We kind of found him together. I was the last person to get cast in “Whiskey Cavalier.” I was actually cast a week before the pilot. So, it was one of those characters that wasn’t on the page. I was in LA and I ended up meeting Bill Lawrence and Dave Hemingson. They said, “We want you in this show so we’re going to write two scenes into the pilot and they’ll be sort of basic scenes. Then, after the pilot we’re going to really sit down and figure out who this character is.” So, it was this gigantic leap of faith that they took in me and I took in them. We went and shot the pilot in Prague and I was there for a very short amount of time. After the show got picked up, they really sat down and created this character.

Q) Does that mean you had a say in how he was developed?

A) I think everybody has a say. It’s a very collaborative set where they really lean into the actor’s ideas and personalities. So, I’m not alone in that respect. I knew that I wanted him to be a weapons expert and I knew I wanted him to have a dangerous, violet side. He’s also been out in the field for a very long time so he’s comfortable with guns, knives and bombs. But he’s not that comfortable with people. That’s largely the character’s struggle, that guns are predictable and people are not. So, coming from a place where usually Indian characters on television tend to be these lovable people who come into the room, take care of your children and sort out your life. It was nice to play an Indian character who was kind of conflicted and didn’t have his shit together and has a dark side.

Q) Since you jumped right in to filming was there innate chemistry between the cast?

A) I think we did a couple of table reads together and that always sets the tone. Scott [Foley] is the number one on the show and I don’t think we could have asked for a better number one because he’s such a seasoned good actor and good person. He kind of sets the entire tone for the set. Between him, Bill and Dave – we just all immediately felt at home. Add to that we all kind of moved to Prague for half a year. It was like going to boarding school together where you have to bond together because you’re all part of this traveling circus so to speak.

Q) Speaking of chemistry, is there chance for romance between Jai and Susan?

A) Well, look, there is chatter online and that’s all there is right now. Jai has a tough enough time figuring out how to transition from guns to people. It’s a little early for romance in Jai’s life, but I’m happy to see that people are noticing that.

Q) What kind of prep went into the stunts you did for the show?

A) The thing is that I’m fortunate in that I have about six or seven years in Bollywood under my belt. So, I’ve done a fair amount of running around, jumping, action, fighting and fire guns – all of that stuff. It sort of comes naturally to me, but we have a really wonderful stunt team. In Europe they work on the Bond films and action is at another level over there. So, it is just sort of rehearsing long enough.

Q) How much of your own stunts did you do?

A) I have done all my own stunts so far on the show.

Q) In order to wear those amazing suits for the show, was there a need to change up your workout routine?

A) Jai is a man who has got to look good in a suit. You have to be fit to pull off that look. So, he’s very OCD about his body and his dressing and his weapons and all of that stuff. So, I did have to get into really good shape to play with all of that. Also, those suits are tailored with zero breathing room. [laughs] So, if I have a hamburger on Friday my suit doesn’t fit on Saturday. We had to meticulously have this fitness regime. But apart from that it’s fun to go and get fit for four months in Prague.

Q) What can you tease will be revealed about Jai over the course of the remainder of the season?

A) I think, look, he’s a very complex character. I think we’ve seen a lot of growth in him even in the nine episodes that have been out so far. Like I said, the struggle for the character is to figure out people. I’m not sure he will by the end of the season, but I’m pretty sure he’ll do his best.

Q) You mentioned costar Scott Foley, but talk about also working with Lauren Cohan.

A) We have to have really good friendly chemistry because these are two people who are old friends who have tried to kill each other and have sort of become friends over the course of the show. Lauren just reminds me of my sister in real life. So, in that sense we kind of gravitated towards each other. We’re also both the non-Americans on the show. We both bonded on that level as well and she’s a wonderful girl. This is a group of people who are willing to go above and beyond and happy to have the gig. Chemistry was never a problem. They are just wonderful people.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming the show?

A) I really liked the baby episode. That was fun because that baby kind of brought out a different side of everybody. I love the episodes that are coming up. I think the finale is tremendous and I kind of liked the holiday party episode as well. The finale, the holiday episode and with the baby were my favorites.

Q) What do you think it is about “Whiskey Cavalier” that has made it a fast favorite series?

A) I think it’s a show that knows what it is and has a very specific tone of funny and action that it really leans into. I think it’s a very confident show and I think it’s a very well thought and produced show as well. Everybody is very talented, that goes without saying. But everyone has kind of found the same time of madness on the show and I think that’s a rare thing. So, it’s a very confident and cohesive show.

Q) As a standup comic, you have great comedic timing. Is it something that has always come naturally to you or have you had to work at it?

A) I mean, I don’t know. To be honest with you, it’s not something I think about it so much. I kind of just read a line and hopefully it comes out right. I don’t think it’s something that I’ve engineered or been able to work on.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform when on tour?

A) I’m excited for this tour because I’m doing some of the biggest American venues that I’ve ever done. I’m doing The Wilbur in Boston and The Kennedy Center in DC. These are just really large venues where mainstream American comics play so I’m excited to go in and do those rooms. Also, because of Netflix and ABC there is now more and more Americans coming out to the show than there ever were before. [laughs] I’m not used to looking out into a room and seeing it be 50% American and 50% Indian. That’s new for me to have this new relationship with an American fanbase. So, that’s what I’m really excited about on this tour – kind of crossing that border with comedy.

Q) Is there a difference in filming American versus Indian projects?

A) No. I think you have to be professional and show up and know your stuff. I think what America has wonderfully in planning Bollywood has wonderfully in passion as well. So, Bollywood films train you to be passionate and committed. I think we do love very well in Bollywood films. I think America does action very well. In America there is drama as well. There are things we are good at, but it’s nice to bring that Indian passion over to an American set.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Because I want more of them. [laughs] I think it is an effective tool to simplify your communication with people and have honest communication and intention. Because you can be misquoted in an interview, you can be edited out of footage and taken out of context in anything else yet on social media it’s relatively simple. You can speak your mind and articulate your thoughts.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure we share with our readers?

A) There will be Bollywood stuff, there will be a new Netflix, a world tour, “Whiskey Cavalier” and hopefully one day I’ll get to play a superhero in America. We’ll see!

Q) You are an actor, writer and comedian. Is there anything else you want to try your hand at?

A) I meant that superhero! That’s the one thing I want to do in the next five years – play an Indian superhero.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) To all five of you, [laughs] I would like to say thank you very much and I promise you I’m just getting started so hang in there.