Game of Thrones is set to get its first Indian actor. Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has been offered a role by the TV show’s stunt director Greg Powell, who also directed two sword-fighting sequences in the actor’s forthcoming Diwali release Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.
Game of Thrones has a huge following in India, with fans creating Bollywood mash-ups and imagining alternative Indian versions of the series. In season 4 and 5, British-Indian actress Indira Varma had essayed the role of Ellaria Sands, the paramour of Prince Oberyn Martell.
Mukesh has told reporters that he will play a royal in Game of Thrones. He also said that he bagged the role after Powell was impressed with his performance in the action scenes in Prem Ratan Payo, a family drama where he plays Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s younger stepbrother.
In 2014, the 33-year-old actor became the subject of numerous Twitter jokes because of his name -- a combination of the names of his father Nitin Mukesh and grandfather Mukesh. Soon after the Game of Thrones announcement today, the Twitter jokes started again.
Daenerys should've named her three dragons Neil, Nitin, Mukesh.— Vikas Munipalle (@PabloVikasso) November 4, 2015
Good to hear that three Indians Bag a role in Game of Thrones. Oh wait.— Rashi (@Leg_Peace) November 4, 2015
Correction: Neil Nitin Mukesh bags [Three] roles in 'Game of Thrones' https://t.co/MABgPGUQ1u— Champ McLovin (@BolshoyBooze) November 4, 2015
Neil Nitin Mukesh in Game of Thrones? I am guessing a white walker.— greatbong (@greatbong) November 4, 2015