Actor and producer Namita Lal, who is currently seen in the film Inn Galiyon Mein, says this has been one of the toughest roles of her career. The film has been released on March 14th, features Namita playing the role of the mother of Naseeruddin Shah’s son, Vivaan Shah.
Namita expressed her excitement about the project and described how much she enjoyed the experience. “Out of the ten films I’ve done, this one is the most challenging, interesting, and different. It was amazing. People who saw the trailer couldn’t recognize me, and even after watching parts of the film, they still found it hard to believe it was me. After a private screening with Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Vivaan’s family, they were surprised to learn it was me. It felt like a big achievement to disappear into a character so well that no one recognizes you. I think I managed it reasonably well,” she said.
She further added, “The joy of acting is becoming someone entirely different. For those moments on screen, I was the character, not myself. Roles like this are a blessing, and I feel fortunate to experience this magic of acting.”
Talking about the shooting experience, Namita shared that it took place in Lucknow’s historic Chhachhi Galli. The vibrant lane, known for its cultural heritage with temples and a mosque nearby, added to the film’s atmosphere. “The street became a part of the story. Every day on set, we lived the lives of our characters,” she explained.
Namita also shared an amusing incident from the set. “To prepare for my role, I spent time observing local elderly women, studying their body language and habits. I did this while dressed in my regular clothes. On the third day, when I walked out of my vanity van in full costume, the security guard at the lane entrance stopped me. He said, ‘Amma, you can’t go inside, there’s a shoot happening.’ I smiled and showed him my script. It took him about thirty seconds to realize I was the same person. Even the crew had fun betting on whether it was really me! That’s when I knew I had nailed the character — the look, the walk, and the talk,” she recalled.
