Serious Men’, based on Manu Joseph novel, is about aspiration

If ‘Raat Ki Subah Nahin’ in 1996 and later ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’ in 2005 created quite a flutter, it is because their maker Sudhir Mishra could capture the ethos of their time. Mishra is now back with ‘Serious Men’ which is premiering on Netflix on October 2.

Based on Manu Joseph’s novel of the same name,
‘Serious Men’ revolves around Ayyan Mani, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a middle-class Dalit man,
who wishes to fulfil his dream and desires through his son. He uses his street-smart skills to concoct a story that his son is a
math prodigy. The film also has veteran south Indian actor Nassar playing a scientist, Acharya, who thinks that he can hoodwink anybody by saying whatever he wants.

Sudhir believes that all the characters come together to show that life can’t be lived on false hopes and pretensions all the time.

In an interview with Showtime, Sudhir Mishra, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and actor Nassar speak of how they enjoyed working in the film and have many moments to cherish about the film.

Ayyan portrays the emotions of a middle-class Indian: Nawazuddin

What was it like to play Ayyan Mani?

I have always wanted to work with Sudhir Mishra and I was thrilled when I got a chance to do so. Every parent has a dream and they try to fulfil that dream through their
children. Here, Ayyan Mani forces his son to do what he couldn’t achieve. This trend is more visible in parents who are educated and well-informed. For instance, my parents never forced me to follow a certain path, because they never went to school and were illiterate. They believed in my abilities, but not many children today are allowed to follow their heart. I thoroughly enjoyed the role and the challenges that came with it.

How has the middle-class in India changed over the years?

Ayyan portrays the emotions of a middle-class Indian who literally thrusts his views on his child. I think we need to give our children the space to think and chalk out their own path. Sometimes, even actors force their children into acting, even if they don’t want to.

My character was not the regular kind: Nassar

What was it like to play an arrogant scientist?

It was very interesting because it was not a regular one-dimensional role. The scientist Acharya does all he can to retain his power because he feels people blindly believe his statements. But it is interesting to see how he finally sheds that arrogance, like how a snake sloughs off its skin. He understands the reality and the vagaries that come with it. And how a child becomes the main reason for such a change.

How do Ayyan and Acharya complement each other?

Ayyan happens to be the private secretary of the scientist. When angry, the scientist he vents his frustration on Ayyan. He has no choice but to bear with me because my character is the motivation for Ayyan to make his son like me. But finally, Ayyan makes Acharya realize that arrogance is not the way forward.

Children must be encouraged to develop an inquiring mind: Sudhir Mishra

How must education prepare a child for life?

In India, children are taught to learn from textbooks. No child is encouraged to ask questions about theories or formulae. Real education is in understanding, applying and coming up with your own reasoning, rather than mugging up what is in the textbook. Children must be encouraged to develop an inquiring mind. This is the flaw in the education system which Ayyan Mani exploits to his advantage. Acharya pretends that knowledge is the preserve of only a few. He keeps his knowledge to himself and does not share it with anybody.

How do you juxtapose the characters?

It is the actors who bring a certain complexity into the characters. While Ayyan has a dark side to him, Acharya is this gruff and arrogant man who believes he is always in the right and those around him are fools. In the end, he becomes the opposite of what he was. Both characters explore all aspects rather than stay one-dimensional.

Was choosing the actors for the film a challenge?

A good script always casts itself. It’s like the script takes a life of its own and walks towards the actors. Even Manu Joseph said that he thought of Nawazuddin Siddiqui when he conceptualized the character of Ayyan. For some of the characters you scout for actors, for some others, you simply write the characters and start imagining them.