Jim Sarbh on learning from Naseeruddin Shah while filming 'Made in India: A Titan Story'
For actor Jim Sarbh, working alongside veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah in the web series 'Made in India: A Titan Story' was a career highlight. The series, currently streaming on Amazon MX Player, chronicles the origin of Titan, a joint venture between the Tata Group and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) in 1986. Sarbh plays Xerxes Desai, Titan's first managing director, while Shah portrays JRD Tata.
Sarbh, known for his roles in 'Neerja', 'Padmaavat', and 'Rocket Boys', admitted that he often found himself mirroring his character's admiration for Tata on set. 'I would hang on to every word he said to me while doing the scenes. That's exactly what my character Xerxes Desai does when JRD Tata speaks to him,' Sarbh said in an interview.
He praised Shah's acting style, noting his generosity and attentiveness. 'What is pleasurable is that he gives you so much and listens to you. He really sees you and what you're doing,' Sarbh recalled. He added that Shah avoids generic acting and instead responds authentically to his co-actor, creating memorable moments. For instance, Shah would deliberately struggle to put on a coat, prompting Sarbh to instinctively help him. 'Suddenly, you see him (as Tata) vulnerable and Xerxes wants to protect him. That becomes a moment,' Sarbh elaborated.
Before portraying Desai, Sarbh had to consciously distance himself from a previous role: the flamboyant Homi Bhabha from 'Rocket Boys'. He envisioned Xerxes as 'gentlemanly and full of convictions and belief,' he said.
The six-part series was initially pitched to Sarbh years ago by producer Sunil Bohra, Anand Jain (series development lead at Amazon MX Player), and screenwriter Karan Vyas. 'These three had an excitement and conviction for the show that was contagious. From the beat-sheet level, the script slowly developed,' Sarbh said. Director Robbie Grewal later joined the project. The shoot was grueling but enjoyable, Sarbh noted.
The ensemble cast includes Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Namita Dubey, Lakshvir Saran, Kaveri Seth, Joy Sengupta, and others. Grewal emphasized the importance of readings, saying, 'The actors bring alive the complexities and strengthen their understanding of the character during readings. They came with energy and were brimming with ideas.' During production, Sarbh and Grewal frequently discussed scenes, and when prosthetics were suggested for Sarbh's appearance, the actor opted to shave his head instead.
Popular old Hindi film songs were used to build the nostalgic atmosphere of the series. 'We wanted to create the world visually and with sound. We wanted audiences to feel the world,' Grewal explained. The producers secured the rights for these songs.
