Jim Sarbh 'Slightly Awkward' With Love for Emmy Nod, Calls Shefali Shah 'Fantastic' | Exclusive

Jim Sarbh recently bagged his first nomination at the International Emmy Awards this year. He earned the nod for his performance as nuclear physicist Dr Homi Bhabha in the Hindi web series Rocket Boys in the Best Performance by an Actor category. Apart from him, Shefali Shah has been nominated in the Best Performance by an Actress category for Delhi Crime 2. Further, Vir Das’ stand-up special Landing will be competing in the comedy category.

In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, an ‘overwhelmed and excited’ Jim shares that though he hasn’t had the chance to speak to his peers, he’s equally elated for them. “I think Shefali Shah is a fantastic actor. From her early work in Satya and Monsoon Wedding to the more recent Darlings and Delhi Crime, I think she brings incredible truth, gravity and mischief to her performances. I’ve not seen Vir’s show yet but I look forward to watching it soon and eventually hanging with him and Shefali in New York,” he says.

In the Best Performance by an Actor category, Jim Sarbh will face competition from Gustavo Bassani (Iosi El Espia Arrepentido), Martin Freeman (The Responder) and Jonas Karlsson (Nattryttarna). Sharing his excitement about being nominated alongside the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actor, Jim remarks, “Martin Freeman? I’ve followed his career for many years and absolutely love his work. He always pops up in one of my favourite director’s films – Edgar Wright. In addition, there is The Office, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Fargo, Carnage, and, of course, Sherlock!”

A post shared by Jim Sarbh (@jimsarbhforreal)

Congratulatory messages have been pouring in ever since Jim took to Instagram to share the news including those from his Made In Heaven squad – Zoya Akhtar and Sobhita Dhulipala. Quiz him about the same and he says, “Yes, friends and family have been very nice and very supportive. I’m getting lots of calls and messages. I’m still slightly awkward about it all and I haven’t answered all the calls (smiles).”

Hoping that this nomination translates to offers and auditions from the West hereon, the Neerja and Gangubai Kathiawadi actor feels that this kind of a global exposure would go a long way in the representation of Indians in world cinema. “It feels good that the shows we’re making are reaching global audiences because what a story wants, more than anything else, is to be heard. The more, the merrier,” he points out.

Jim further adds, “I do believe very strongly that people are people, everywhere, and I love when stories that are extremely local have universal appeal. It means we embrace variation into our consciousness, that although things look and sound different, at their heart, the emotional journey can be understood and resonated worldwide.”