Vishal Jethwa built his name on roles that lean dark — he was the menacing antagonist in Mardaani 2 and returned to the screen this year with Homebound. This Navratri season, however, the actor is thinking about a different kind of stage. He is preparing to put his long-time love for Gujarati folk music to the test, and his target is a Navratri singing gig next year.
A debut that almost happened this year
The Gujarat-rooted actor says garba and dandiya nights have been part of his life since childhood. He had planned to frame himself as a singer at Navratri concerts this year, but the dates and shows did not fall into place. Rather than forcing it, he has been attending performances by friends and singers such as Kinjal Dave and Geeta Rabari, studying the live atmosphere he wants to step into next year.
He left the door open for a small taste before then. “Gane ka mauka milega to chodunga nahi,” Jethwa told Hindustan Times — if an opportunity to sing arrives, he said, he will not let it pass. A cameo at a dandiya night remains possible, but he is clear that a proper music show is the goal.
Singing may be the passion, but acting is the craft
Jethwa admitted he took years to accept that music and Gujarati folk excite him more than acting. Still, he is realistic about where he stands: he calls himself a better actor than singer and a decent vocalist who needs more practice, rehearsals and formal vocal training.
- The plan: build a full Navratri music show for next year instead of rushing a small set this year.
- The preparation: more riyaaz and vocal coaching before he headlines anything.
- The wildcard: a possible on-stage cameo at a dandiya night if the chance comes sooner.
Festive fashion, with one foot in each world
His Navratri plans include the wardrobe. Jethwa believes festive dressing should sit between a very traditional look and a fully modern one. Too traditional, he says, feels stiff; too modern can miss the festive point. The balance, in his view, keeps Gujarati tradition visible for younger audiences and stops it from fading.
That fusion approach is also a useful lens for anyone planning a Navratri look: hold on to the cultural signifiers, but update the silhouette, colours or styling so the outfit feels current. It is the same principle behind his music plan — respect the folk form, but present it with today’s energy.
For fans who have only seen Jethwa as a screen villain, the idea of him sitting with a harmonium may be unexpected. But the actor seems in no hurry to force it; his next-year timeline gives him a full year to train, rehearse and choose the right stage.
Source: Hindustan Times
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