Exclusive! Kutch Express actor Viraf Patell: Compliments from Naseeruddin Shah are no less than Oscar for me

Actor Viraf Patell, who plays a pivotal part in the recently-released Gujarati film Kuth Express, shares his experience with OTTplay of feeling emotional and happy at the same time after receiving praise from iconic actor and theatre artiste Naseeruddin Shah.

Asked about how he views the success of the film, Viraf told OTTplay, "I think I am going to retire now and I will tell you why. Because our guru - the icon for many actors like us - Naseeruddin Shah sir told me that he noticed and liked my acting. I think compliments from him are no less than Oscar for me, and I think this is it! I am done... I am so happy!!I think I can go back to my village with my heart filled with happiness and gratitude (laughs)."

Describing the incident, the actor, who plays Madan in the film, shared, "I went to watch (Naseeruddin) sir's play Einstein at Prithvi theatre (in Mumbai), and after the play, I went backstage and told sir that I watched the same play nine years ago and when I watched it again, it impacted me just as much as it did when I saw it the first time. Sir replied, 'Well, I watched you in Kutch Express and I must say, you were very good in that.' And then he smiled. That moment is one for a lifetime! I remember that my wife was standing next to me and was pinching me, as if to ask is this happening for real? It is a huge compliment for any actor!"

Kutch Express is directed by Viral Shah. and produced by Parthiv Gohil and Manasi Parekh. It also stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Darsheel Safary, Dharmendra Gohil, Denisha Ghumra and Kaushambi Bhatt, among others.