Actor Nilay Mitash reconnects with Ranchi roots; Film shoot planned in State

Actor Nilay Mitash revisited his childhood memories of Ranchi on Wednesday, recalling his school days in Namkum and his family’s stay in Bariatu, while film producer Raj Shekhar announced plans to shoot a film in Jharkhand next year.

Addressing a joint press conference at Ranchi Press Club, the actor and producer spoke about their professional journeys, their association with Jharkhand and the web series Hello! Hum Bol Rahe Hain, in which Mitash plays the lead role.

Although Bihar is his paternal hometown and Jamshedpur his maternal hometown, Mitash said Ranchi holds a special place in his heart. His parents were transferred to Ranchi around the time of the bifurcation of Bihar, and the family lived in Bariyatu. He began his schooling at Bishop Westcott Boys’ School in Namkum, while his brother studied engineering at BIT Mesra.

For Mitash, a visit to Ranchi is an opportunity to reconnect with some of the most cherished memories of his life. He also recalled the food served at roadside dhabas in Ormanjhi, saying the taste and memories of those days remain fresh.

The actor’s journey to the entertainment industry involved a major career shift. He left an engineering job in Bengaluru to pursue acting in Mumbai and trained at Barry John Acting Studio. Despite facing several rejections in the early years, he continued working towards his goal.

His performance in the short film Vayam, in which he portrayed 10 different characters, earned him three Best Actor awards. The recognition eventually helped him land the lead role in Hello! Hum Bol Rahe Hain.

Producer Raj Shekhar, meanwhile, praised Jharkhand’s scenic locations and said the state offered considerable potential for filmmaking. He announced plans to shoot a film in the state next year, although details of the project were not disclosed.

The eight-episode web series Hello! Hum Bol Rahe Hain explores Bihar’s political landscape through the life of an ordinary young man. It follows Pappu, who leads a simple life with his friends Pawan and Pintu until a phone call to an unknown number, made while searching for love, draws him into a wider political game.

Blending friendship, romance, family relationships, humour and political drama, the series moves beyond conventional narratives centred on crime and muscle power. The cast includes Pratibha Tiwari, Ishtiyak Khan, Yashpal Sharma, Sushmita Mukherjee and Dayashankar Pandey. Directed by Abhyank-Anand, it was filmed in Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and nearby locations in Bihar and is available on Waves OTT.