Stranded with no network, 'Made in Heaven' fame Kashyap still managed to bag a Hollywood role - here's how

Director Neil Burger's guerilla-style shot thriller drama, Inheritance recently released on Lionsgate and playing an important role in the Hollywood film is actor Kashyap Shangari.

In an exclusive conversation with India Forums, Shangari opened up on how he managed to bag a Hollywood film against odds, looking ahead with career opportunities, tackling lesser screentime on-screen and much more.

Hi Kashyap, being a part of a film with international presence must’ve been quite the journey. How did this happen with Neil Burger? Was it through an audition or did he discover you?

It was definitely a journey — but not the kind with red carpets and spotlights. It began with a call from Tess Joseph. I really respect her process. She casts for truth over type. I tested at her studio, and a few days later, I heard Neil Burger wanted to do a Zoom with me.

The catch? I was shooting in a remote location with zero signal — no internet, nothing. I borrowed the AD’s phone for a hotspot, grabbed clothes from another character’s rack, and convinced a co-actor to let me use their vanity to get ready.

That Zoom test with Neil was calm and unforced. What struck me was how instinctive he was. He wasn’t chasing polish — he wanted something real, something that sat comfortably in the world he was creating. In all that chaos and improvisation, something must’ve clicked. It wasn’t a dramatic “breakthrough” moment — just a quiet yes. And it felt right.

Guerrilla-style filming brings its own challenges. Beyond space constraints, what was the biggest factor you had to adapt to?

Guerrilla shooting has its own rhythm — or lack of it. You’re reacting in real time — with crowds, natural light, unpredictable sounds. For me, the biggest challenge was staying emotionally anchored.

There’s no luxury of multiple takes or resets. No overthinking, no over-rehearsing. You find your truth in one take — even if someone’s phone rings or a car honks mid-scene. Oddly, that became freeing. It demands full presence. No filters, no polish. And when it lands, it hits something raw and electric.

It’s valid — screentime often becomes the headline. But I’ve come to value the weight of a moment more than its duration.

- Kashyap Shangari

Screentime is always a big talking point. How do you view it now — especially when smaller roles sometimes leave a bigger mark?

It’s valid — screentime often becomes the headline. But I’ve come to value the weight of a moment more than its duration.

I think of performances that stayed with me — like Michael Fassbender in Inglourious Basterds. Just one bar scene, but unforgettable. Or that father-son scene at the end of Call Me By Your Name — still, intimate, profound. That kind of presence has real power.

In my own work, I think of Akshay Jaiswal in Made in Heaven and Dash in Code M. Neither had a long arc, but the love I got was overwhelming. It reminded me that truth in performance connects, no matter how long you’re on screen.

Of course, we all want more time in front of the camera — that hunger never really fades. But I’m now more drawn to roles with soul, not just size. If something resonates and adds meaning to the story, that’s enough. And I believe honest work will eventually lead to deeper, longer arcs too.

What’s been your biggest learning so far — and any regrets?

I don’t really carry regrets. I know it sounds like a cliché, but I genuinely see everything as learning. Every day still feels like Day One — and that mindset keeps me open and curious.

The biggest learning? Stay connected to the why. Keep showing up for the work — not for the noise, not the outcomes, but the craft. When your “why” is clear, even the chaos has clarity. And the version of success you believe in will find you.

Sure, there were moments of self-doubt — maybe I played it safe at times. But I trust that even those moments were necessary. You don’t need perfect conditions to show up. Sometimes, the best work comes from the mess.