Firstly, this is a distant dream because imagine the Censor Board letting a show based on cooking meth be broadcasted for Indian audiences (it’s another matter that most of the people in their 20s-30s or maybe more have watched and loved this show). But still, sometimes after my weekend quota of Old Monk, I like to Indianize every damn thing! As we all know that Breaking Bad has been repeatedly declared as The Greatest Show On Planet Earth by me and many noted critics and the people worldwide and also because they’ve won all the major Emmy Awards this year, I have decided to take on the onus of casting Breaking Bad in Bollywood!
As Priyam Saha has already mentioned in her amazing Bollywood-ization of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Gossip Girl and How I Met Your Mother, this casting is just a way to show my love for the show. So read on and enjoy the ride 🙂
1) Walter White
Naseeruddin Shah might be a little older than Bryan Cranston but can you imagine anyone else in India playing Walter White and Heisenberg to perfection, especially the entire ‘I am the danger‘ speech he gives while Skylar looks like she’s going to die? This ‘every episode is a master-class in acting‘ can only be carried off by one man.
2) Skylar White
Love her or hate her, you cannot deny that Skylar White played by the magnificent Anna Gunn is one of the strongest female characters in television history. Tabu has showed what she’s made of since the time she’s joined Bollywood, she will shine in this role!
3) Jesse Pinkman
“This is my own private domicile and I will not be harassed……bitch!” Hmm Ranbir Kapoor is the only name that pops into my head. Plus a young and good actor is needed to stand his own ground in the presence of Naseerudin Shah! On top of that, Aaron Paul is so cute, his legendary role has to be played by a good looking guy, don’t you think?
4) Hank Schrader
As Walter told Marie when Hank was in the hospital, he survived and he isn’t half the man her husband is, which is kinda true. Boman Irani fits the bill because the man can actually play any damn role, but he’d do justice to Dean Norris’ terrific Hank. Imagine the scenes with him and Naseer’s Walter White, just imagine.
5) Marie Schrader
Beautiful, supportive but damaged. The whole kleptomania thing makes Hank’s wife Marie quite creepy. Sushmita Sen can play damaged quite well, can’t she? Plus she’ll look good in purple too, Marie’s favourite colour!
6) Gus Fring
As he said ‘A man provides’ and this man totally does that. He provides and scares the living daylights of everyone in the show and everyone watching the show! Can you even imagine anyone but Irrfan Khan play this guy?
7) Tuco Salamanca
Sharat Saxena looks tough, has the capability to go ballistic (remember Ghulam?) and I’m sure he can carry off the teeth grill like Tuco! He also looks like the man who’ll go full retard and we all know… never go full retard.
8) Mike Ehrmantraut
R.I.P Mike 🙁 Maybe you and Jesse should have been partners. Anyway, Anupam Kher will totally do justice to this role, don’t just think of him as Raj’s dad in DDLJ, this man played Dr. Dang with the same élan.
9) Saul Goodman
He fights for YOU Albuquerque! Outrageous genius is how one can describe the great Saul Goodman! Cannot wait for his own spinoff show, Better Call Saul! Yay! Please someone get the fantastic Akshay Khanna out of his hibernation and make him do this. Please!
10) Walter Jr.
Give Walter Jr. his breakfast and no one gets hurt. I don’t know how Armaan Jain acts really, but the actors look somewhat similar, don’t they? The best part is Walter is usually eating and knowing the Kapoor family’s legendary love for food, I don’t think Armaan will mind playing this role 😛
Missing Breaking Bad as much as I do? Check out this Breaking Bad inspired clutch and cry till you get one for yourself.
What do you think about the casting? Please send your love/affection/brickbats/curses in the comments below 🙂