MUMBAI: Actor Kunal Kumar, who is said to have "replaced" actor Hiten Tejwani in the upcoming show Namune, says when he was offered to play Niranjan Agnihotri, it lifted his spirits.

Without commenting on the casting controversy, Kunal, who has featured in Bollywood movies like Saathiya and Main Hoon Naa, said, "When I was offered the role of Niranjan Agnihotri for Namune, it really lifted my spirits. I started preparing for the same immediately."

Kunal was offered the role on 17 June  and the shooting started on 19 June.

Niranjan is an insurance agent. And to get into the skin of the character, he even met insurance agents to know about their day-to-day lives and scuffles.

"Niranjan is basically a reflection of a troubled common man who is wedged in daily responsibilities and hassled about making ends meet. 'Namune' is about how every situation poses a problem for Niranjan. P.L. Deshpande (actor Sanjay Mone), through his characters, teaches him the importance of a smile. The difficulties that we face in our lives are just a part of it and not your life, is what our show tries to convey. Shooting for such a concept makes me feel privileged, especially with all these brilliant actors. My learning is perpetual," he added.

Namune is the show that is based on late Marathi writer and humorist P.L. Deshpande's characters from his writings.

The show will launch on 21 July on Sony SAB.