MUMBAI: Namit Das is full of surprises this year exploring genres never tried before, taking the OTT space head-on and championing the cause of independent cinema. While his ventures Mafia and Aarya continue to amass viewership, the actor takes a walk down the memory lane as his breakthrough film Wake Up Sid clocks in 11 years.

Musing over the Ayan Mukerji directorial, Namit says, "It is awesome to know that the film I had the opportunity to be part of has withstood the test of time. When I was approached for it, I could not have imagined it turning into a cult film. Although yes, I knew it was a special and unique film and I thought I could make something out of my character Rishi. It was really Ayan's enthusiasm and his positivity that really drew me to the project.”

Glad at the movie completing 11 years, he shares, “Wake Up Sid was my first out-and-out commercial project. When I look back at some of the memories of the first reading, I recall visiting Ayan's house. I was going to be introduced to Ranbir Kapoor. He had so much charm that I just became a fan. That's probably the only time I have been starstruck.”

Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film revolves around Siddharth Mehra, a spoilt son and a disinterested college student, who learns responsibility the hard way from Aisha, an aspiring writer from Kolkata. Das played the role of Rishi, Sid's college friend. On the work front, Namit is currently shooting for Aafat-E-Ishq and awaits the streaming of Mira Nair's A Suitable Boy.