Zoya Akhtar on Eternally Confused and Eager for Love: We weren’t getting the right fit until we found Vihaan Samat

Zoya Akhtar, who gave us the nuanced Made in Heaven (2019), was one of the early birds in Indian digital entertainment. If her last web series focused on the numerous flaws and hypocrisies of love, her new show will be a younger, lighter take on the subject. Rahul Nair's series Eternally Confused and Eager for Love follows the awkward Ray's struggles to find a partner despite a plethora of dating apps.

Given that the plot revolved around Ray's love follies, Akhtar, who also serves as producer alongside Reema Kagti, says they auditioned extensively for the male lead before settling on Vihaan Samat. 

The filmmaker told Mid Day that finding Ray was crucial because he is the star of the series. They needed someone lovable and handsome, but not so attractive that one wonders why he's in such a pickle in the first place. The character needed a lot of heart, but also needed to make one believe he could be a regular kid. Akhtar shared that until they found Vihaan, they weren't getting the appropriate fit.

The Netflix series also stars Rahul Bose and Suchitra Pillai, both of whom are well-versed in Akhtar's style of storytelling. Pillai appeared in Farhan Akhtar's directorial debut, Dil Chahta Hai (2001), and Bose previously collaborated with her in Dil Dhadakne Do (2015). 

Akhtar acknowledged that she usually works with the same cast or crew. She said there's a comfort that comes from having synchrony, the same values, and the same sense of humour, aside from the fact that they are skilled. It makes going to work a pleasurable experience.

Jim Sarbh is the voice of Wiz, Ray's guiding light in the series, and he has an interesting function. When it's brought up that the audience might expect a star to be the narrator, as Aamir Khan did in Dil Dhadakne Do, Nair disagrees. 

He told the tabloid that his mindset is similar to that of people who believe that an A-list talent is required for a box-office hit. One doesn't have to choose their cast based on how many eyeballs they'll attract with OTT offers. It depends on whether or not they fit the role. Thus, Nair concluded by saying that Jim is ideal for the part.