Kal Penn
, originally from India, speaks about his struggle to be a part of the critically applauded film
The Namesake
directed by
Mira Nair
. He recalls the times when he was upset about losing out “Gogol” to some other actor on the film. He was so fond of the novel by the same name written by Jhumpa Lahiri, that he tried to get its rights but he was late. Mira Nair had bought it before the Harold & Jumar star, and she was the very reason for him to enter the world of Cinema.
Even after incessant calls and messages from his end to Nair, there was no response from her side until he wrote a letter to her telling about his admiration to her and that he wants to audition for the role-after two long weeks he was called to meet Nair. Nair had told him that the reason behind the meeting was her kids loving his funny character in Harold & Kumar. She went on to tell him that the actor won’t fit Gogol’s role and that she knew it from the time her kids made her watch the series. Apart from that, she also disclosed that she had already wrapped up the casting part of the film. Things didn’t work out with the other actor, and Penn was lucky enough to bag the role.