Actor in the Classical mould: Catch a gig with Namit Das and Anurag Shanker tonight in Mumbai

Anurag Shanker (left) and Namit Das met on the sets of a musical play in 2011

You have seen him enact various characters - as Chaddi in the film, Lafangey Parindey, as Ranbir Kapoor's friend, Rishi, in Wake Up Sid and as flippant husband Sumit in the sitcom, Sumit Sambhal Lega. But did you know that 32-year-old actor Namit Das is also a trained Classical vocalist?

Born to noted ghazal singer, Chandan Das, he was introduced to music early. The multi-talented personality makes music with composer Anurag Shanker. Catch their rearranged and redesigned Folk and Sufi tunes at a gig tonight.

"In 2011, I did a play called Stories In A Song. It was a musical and there, I met Anurag. Small jam sessions led to an EP titled, Din Gaye, in 2014," shares Das. Shanker is a popular figure in the independent film and music scene. He has also composed for the feature film, Sulemani Keeda. "Each time, he would react differently to the poetry and music. The effort moved both of us. An emotional response is important for anything that you do," he adds.

Shanker and Das' ensemble at a music video shoot

The duo isn't fond of the term ‘original music'. "We don't want to use the word, original, because our songs are re-interpretations of forgotten literary works. The arrangements are imaginative to allow us to make these works accessible to listeners today. There are songs like Tori Surat and Bahut Kathin Hai by Amir Khusrow," says Shanker.

But they do have one original track. "It's called Dil Mein Aaj Ek. It is about hope and how humans move on despite all that happens around."

On Tonight, 9.30 pm onwards
At Fun Republic, Plot No 844/4, 3rd floor, Andheri (W).
Call 60226044