Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail Ali Nanjiani, recognized as a comedian, actor, screenwriter, and podcaster, took on the role of Haja Estree in Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Biography

During his childhood, Kumail Ali Nanjiani held a deep affection for Star Wars and science fiction. He built up a collection of action figures, and his preferred Star Wars character was Han Solo. The Star Wars film that Nanjiani favored most was Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, citing its position as the inaugural movie in the series. He was impressed by the film's grand scale, which surpassed anything he had previously encountered.

Nanjiani was contacted by his representatives, who informed him, after an hour's wait, that he was being considered for the Obi-Wan Kenobi television show. They refrained from disclosing details about his character or the plot, instead requesting that he speak with the director, Deborah Chow. Chow presented her vision to Nanjiani during a Zoom meeting, aiming to persuade him to join the project. Nanjiani swiftly accepted the offer, describing it as an easy decision. He was also eager to meet Ewan McGregor, the actor portraying Obi-Wan Kenobi in the series.

Ultimately, Nanjiani portrayed the con man Haja Estree in the series. To get ready for the part, Nanjiani extensively researched con artists and magicians. Upon meeting McGregor, Nanjiani was delighted by his presence and felt overwhelmed by sharing a scene with Kenobi. Despite attempting to treat the show as a routine job, Nanjiani found it challenging due to the significant use of practical effects. While working on the virtual LED set known as the Volume, Nanjiani tried to concentrate on the scene, his character, and his actions. He also observed that the entire crew were Star Wars enthusiasts, a factor that Nanjiani believed distinguished Star Wars from his other projects.

On March 29, 2021, Lucasfilm Ltd. officially announced Nanjiani's inclusion in the cast of the live-action Obi-Wan Kenobi. Nanjiani has expressed his desire to reprise the role of Estree, as he found the character enjoyable to play. He appreciated that his character presented a fresh perspective within the Star Wars universe.

Filmography

Sources

Notes and references

External links

  • Kumail Nanjiani on Wikipedia
  • Kumail Nanjiani at the Internet Movie Database
  • Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) on Instagram (backup link (kumailn) not verified!)
  • Kumail Nanjiani ( @kumailn ) on Twitter (backup link (kumailn) not verified!)

Appearances