‘Dreaming big is what JRD Tata was blessed with’: Vaibhav Tatwawadi on ‘Made in India–A Titan Story’

Since its release on MX Player, Made in India – A Titan Story has struck a chord with audiences, earning praise for its compelling storytelling, nuanced performances, and meticulous recreation of one of India's most remarkable business success stories.

Directed by Robbie Grewal, the six-part series chronicles the journey of Titan, the watch brand that transformed the Indian timepiece industry, and the visionaries who made it possible.

Led by Jim Sarbh as Titan founder Xerxes Desai and featuring acclaimed actors Naseeruddin Shah, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Lakshvir Saran, and Kaveri Seth, the series sheds light on the ambition, perseverance, and innovation that went into building an iconic Indian brand.

Among the standout performances is Vaibhav's portrayal of Akash, a key member of the team who helped bring Titan to life. In a candid conversation with Mathrubhumi English, the actor spoke about the overwhelming response to the series, his experience of working alongside stalwarts like Naseeruddin Shah and Jim Sarbh, the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of the story, and the emotional journey of playing Akash. 

‘Made in India - A Titan Story’ has received acclaim not only for its story and performance, but also for every aspect of it. How has working on this series been for you, on a series that tells the story of a brand we've all grown up with?

It was a wonderful experience. Right from day one of the reading sessions to the last day of the shoot at the Titan plant in Hosur (Tamil Nadu), it was genuinely a dream come true. And I'll be very honest—the kind of love that I'm receiving for this project is something I haven't received ever before. So, this is phenomenal. People are overwhelmed, people are loving it, people are loving all the characters, and they're loving my character as well. Honestly, it feels like a dream right now.

Titan is a brand that almost every Indian has grown up with. Before taking on the role, how much were you aware of the story behind Titan?

Honestly, just like any other proud Indian, I was aware of the brand, and I knew that it was a great brand. But very few people knew the nitty-gritty of what exactly went into the making of the brand. We always thought Titan was a star, but very few people knew how that brand became a star. So, I didn't know the story, but of course I was aware of the brand. I'm glad that now everyone is becoming aware of the story as well and taking cognisance of how the brand was created.

Your character, Akash, is part of a team trying to create something India had never built before. What aspects of Akash's personality resonated with you while bringing the character to life?

My first challenge was making sure that the character looked real. When you're about to play characters who are larger than life, you tend to go overboard at times. So that was my first challenge.

The thing that resonated with me most was his empathy. He could just look into people's eyes and understand them. That's why he was called the "mother of Titan" in one of the scenes. He is someone who is tackling a lot of things at once—his professional life, his personal life, and many other responsibilities. That made him very real.

I feel real characters are always layered. There's nothing black or white about them; it's always grey. So I think the empathy of the character resonated a lot with me.

The whole journey is set in an era when we didn't really talk about startups. Today there's a startup culture, but back then there wasn't. 'Made in India' was more of an aspiration than a reality. Working on this project, has it changed the way you look at Indian entrepreneurship?

I guess today we are more blessed because the challenges back then were much greater. Today, because of technology, certain challenges are taken care of. So I think we're moving in the right direction.

The people who made Titan what it is today are the real superheroes for entrepreneurs. I'm getting so many messages from freelancers and entrepreneurs saying that the series has motivated them. People tell me, "I have two companies," or "I have three companies," and “after watching the series, something inside me changed. I got a lot of energy.”

I guess this story is definitely encouraging people. I also wasn't aware that in some MBA schools, this story is included in the curriculum.

You've shared screen space with veterans like Naseeruddin Shah and performers like Jim Sarbh. How was that experience, and what were your biggest takeaways from working with them?

I've always been a huge admirer of Naseer Sir. I've watched his films and admired his work, but I'd never met him or worked with him before.

After working with him, something inside me changed as an actor. The kind of actor I was before working with Naseeruddin Shah and the kind of actor I am after working with him—I feel I've improved by leaps and bounds.

Naseer Sir believes that acting cannot be taught, but it can be learned. I was a very sincere student, simply observing him and working with him.

I was always intrigued by the word "rhythm." Very few actors are masters of rhythm, and Naseer Sir is one of them. Suddenly, certain doors opened for me when it came to understanding rhythm in acting.

Even with Jim, it was a wonderful experience. We hit it off instantly from day one. That give-and-take always helps you develop as an actor and improves the scene. We had quite a lot in common—we had both worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and had many mutual friends. So the ice was broken on day one itself.

One of the best relationships shown in the series is that of Xerxes and Akash. From the very beginning to the end, there are so many heartwarming moments between them. Is there a particular scene that, for you, defines their bond? And was there anything the two of you brought naturally that wasn't necessarily on the page?

There was a scene where Xerxes tells my character, "You know what, you've done a lot for your family, and you've done a lot for the company. But I think you need to take some time off with your father. Six months' leave. Completely paid."

I guess that scene, in a way, sums up a lot about their relationship—the emotional journey, the camaraderie, and everything. That was one of my favourite scenes because there is so much restraint in terms of emotions.

That person wants to hug the other person, but instead says, "Okay, now you pay for the tea also." There are so many layers to it, which is exactly what happens in real life. We hide our emotions at times. It was one of my favourite scenes.

If you had the chance to spend a day with JRD Tata, is there one question you'd ask him or one piece of advice you'd seek?

More than advice, I would simply thank him for creating so many things because of which the country is moving forward. First of all, I would definitely thank him.

Secondly, I would ask him how to dream big. What is big for me might be something very normal for JRD Tata. Dreaming big is something I feel that man was truly blessed with.

You've been in the industry for many years and portrayed a wide range of characters. Was Akash a role you had been waiting for, or is there still a dream role you're looking forward to? How do you look at your career going forward after ‘Made in India: A Titan Story’?

As I told you, this is the kind of love I've received for a project that I have never experienced before. So, by God's grace and the blessings of the audience, many doors have opened for me.

My dream is to portray a character that will become someone else's dream role in the future. That's my dream. I don't have one particular character in mind, but I definitely want to play a character that someone else will look at and say, "I want to play that role someday."

Just one last question. When audiences finish watching ‘Made in India: A Titan Story’, what is the one feeling you hope they carry with them?

A smile on their face and moist eyes. That's what it should be. And that's exactly what is happening. I'm very glad.