Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma’s ability to connect with the common man was one of his qualities that made actress-turned-filmmaker Nandita Das cast him in her directorial venture Zwigato, set for a March 17 release.

The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, stars Kapil as a delivery man and Shahana Goswami as his wife. .

“Kapil is popular even after 10 years of his show because the audience relate to him. The way his smile reaches people. If an actor is a good human and is connected with the common man despite being famous, then you don’t have to teach the actor too much,” said Nandita

The film also features Shahana Goswami in a pivotal role as she plays Kapil’s wife. “Both Kapil and Shahana are great humans. So, half my job was already done. They easily got into the skin of their characters,” added Nandita.

Kapil is famous for his comedy and has never played a serious character in movies. Nandita revealed the apprehensions she had before the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TFF).

“There were a lot of fans of Kapil at the Toronto International Film Festival. I was curious to know their reaction to the film because maybe they hadn’t seen many films like this before. But to my surprise they were curious and happy to see Kapil in a new avatar,” she said.

Zwigato is Nandita’s third feature film as a director after her award-winning debut Firaaq (2008) and Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer Manto (2018).

When asked why she does not act in the films she directs, the 53-year-old said, “When I am directing, there are too many things to manage. I am a very hands-on director and I get involved in every department. So, to come in front of the camera amidst all that chaos has not happened. But hopefully, I’ll act in my directorial in the near future. I have a story but I don’t know when it will see the light of the day.”

Produced by Applause Entertainment and Nandita Das Initiatives, Zwigato will release in cinemas across India on March 17.