September 19th 2024.
When it came to preparing for his role as the founder of a male stripping dance troupe in "Welcome to Chippendales", Kumail Nanjiani had quite the challenge ahead of him. He had to find a way to get into the mindset of Steve Banerjee, a businessman turned criminal who started the cultural phenomenon back in 1979. But less than a decade later, he found himself caught up in criminal proceedings after plotting to kill his show's producer Nick DeNoia and three of his dancers. It was a shocking turn of events for someone who had once pursued the American dream and built an empire on it.
But behind the glitz and glamour of the Chippendales empire, things were not as they seemed. Steve's jealousy and unethical business practices caused his downfall and put him at odds with those around him. The eight-part series delves into Steve's story, starting from his humble beginnings as an Indian immigrant to his tragic end, taking his own life in prison while awaiting trial in 1994.
For Kumail, the prospect of playing such a complex character was daunting. He spent months trying to understand Steve's motivations and finding a way to make his actions consistent with his character. It was a challenging task, but eventually, he was able to wrap his head around the enigmatic figure with the help of long walks with his wife Emily and conversations with his acting teacher.
Murray Bartlett, who plays Nick, was amazed by Kumail's transformation from a warm and lovable person to the character of Steve. He even described it as "terrifying" and believes that viewers will be shocked by his performance. As for Nick, he starts off as the choreographer for Chippendales, but as the business grows, he begins to have his own ideas, causing tension between him and Steve. It's a power struggle that eventually leads to the downfall of both men.
Neither Kumail nor Murray had any idea about the dark and sordid story behind the Chippendales phenomenon. Growing up in Australia, Murray saw Chippendales as a fun and campy phenomenon, but never imagined the true crime story happening behind the scenes. Similarly, Kumail knew of the popular franchise but was unaware of the dark and intense reality until reading the script.
The two actors are joined by an all-star cast, including Annaleigh Ashford, Juliette Lewis, Andrew Rannells, Dan Stevens, and Nicola Peltz. "Welcome to Chippendales" is now available to stream on ITVX and Disney Plus, giving audiences a glimpse into the shocking and tragic story behind the iconic male stripping troupe. And as for Kumail, his dedication and hard work paid off, as he delivers a performance that will leave viewers shocked and in awe.
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