Harshada Rege (DNA; November 22, 2018)

Michael Peña, whose last outing saw him playing the motormouth Luis in the second instalment of the Ant-Man series, makes a dramatic switch as he essays the character of Kiki Camarena in Narcos: Mexico. Unlike most actors, who get stereotyped in either the comedy or drama genre, Michael seems to be able to change sides without breaking into a sweat. Something that has helped him collect an enviable filmography. The actor, on his recent trip to India, spoke about his career graph, showcasing his work on a digital platform like Netflix, and finding inspiration from common people.

You manage to strike a good balance between comedy and drama — something that very few actors are able to do. What’s your secret?
To be honest, what I do is, I pick a character. I had never played a guy like Kiki Camerana. I had based the Marvel movies’ Luis on somebody else, and the guy from End Of The Watch was a composition of a couple of people, while the one from Observe and Report is based on another person. I always bring other people to the roles I play. It’s interesting to think like them. That’s kind of my technique. I try to embody a character and try to make them as real as possible and justify their actions.

You have spent over three decades in the industry. Do you find any difference now that films and shows are being aired on digital platforms rather than conventional mediums like theatres and television?
To me, it feels the same. I have been blessed to have success with shows and films, and that feels like a blessing. At the end of the day, you want to make people happy. When they get home and are tired, you want to entertain them. You want them to go, “Oh that was good.” That’s more on my mind than any other ratings or stuff like that.

Shows like Narcos have brought local culture and language to a global platform. How do you think it helps a show?
I think it adds authenticity. Nowadays, you are in a competing marketplace where you are sometimes going up against mediums like YouTube where people are able to see other parts of the world. In a weird way, it (the world) is coming together a little bit more because you are able to see it and understand it. You can’t really get away with hiring somebody who doesn’t speak Spanish like in Narcos. It just wouldn’t fly. But it’s also very interesting. I have yet to see things (shows/films) in India, but I definitely want to see Gold, Black Friday, and Maqbool.

People often binge watch digital shows...
Whenever there’s a new season starting, you have got to get past the first two episodes. That’s because they are just meant for establishing (the characters). By third, it starts to cook, and with the fourth, you are like, ‘Ok cool, this is how it goes’.

Kiki Camarena is not your typical hero. He often doesn’t get his way...
Yes, and it’s good to let that frustration show. You see what’s going on with him and how he reacts to it. The reason he does things the way he does is because he is just fed up with it (the system). Even if he makes sense, it doesn’t matter because people are either getting in the way or they aren’t taking any action. The fact that the Mexican police, the federal police, the politicians and the government are involved is a bit of nightmare. He wants someone to do something about it, but they just don’t do it. It leads to almost a resentment.

Considering this is a part of the Narcos series, was there any pressure to match up to the previous ones or to make it stand apart from them?
Not really. Because as soon as I read the first script, I knew that it’s not a typical TV show, it’s very much in the Narcos territory. It has that specific style of storytelling, in which they intertwine and set up things that are interesting and entertaining, but then they pay off in a way that’s unexpected. Here, the good guys have a lot of grey areas and vice-versa. You humanise both elements. At the same time, they aren’t glorifying anything because you can see that the bad guys end up dead or in jail.

On his maiden visit to India, Narcos: Mexico star Michael Pena on being bowled over by Mumbai's vibrancy and getting familiar with Hindi cinema
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 15, 2018)

He may have veered towards comedy in the past few years with outings like Chips (2017) and A Wrinkle In Time, but Michael Pena is back to doing what he does best — drama. In his next offering, Netflix's Narcos: Mexico, the actor, 42, has taken on the role of Drug Enforcement Administration officer, Kiki Camerana — a mighty rival to Diego Luna's drug lord Félix Gallardo.

Talking to mid-day during his recent visit to India, Pena sheepishly admitted that while the three seasons of the show may have taken the world by storm, he was unaware about the series. "I hadn't watched Narcos till I was approached for this one. Before I started shooting, I binge-watched the previous seasons."

In his maiden visit to India, Pena said he was bowled over by the people and their warmth. "I saw women wearing these amazing wrap-around dresses [sarees]. I showed them to my wife who loved them. I am taking a few colourful ones for her. Mumbai is such a vibrant city and the food is fantastic."

The trip also gave him the opportunity to meet Indian filmmakers. "We exchanged ideas about cinema. I want to watch films like Gold, Black Friday (2007) and Maqbool (2003). I am going to catch up on Sacred Games as well."

Born to Mexican parents, the actor admitted that it was difficult to get a break in Hollywood. "While growing up, I did face a lot of racism from neighbours and friends. I understood that racism stemmed from ignorance more than anything else. Initially, it was difficult in the industry too as I would be selected only for a particular kind of role. But things have become easy over time. In Narcos: Mexico, you have two Latinos on the poster of an American show. I can't give you a better example. I hope the change is for everyone, including minorities and women."


Alia Bhatt and Shakun Batra with the team at the Narcos: Mexico launch

Pena, Newman and Luna near the Gateway Of India. Pic/netflix

On the itinerary of Netflix's Narcos: Mexico - actors Diego Luna and Michael Pena along with showrunner Eric Newman - was a visit to the Gateway Of India and a taste of Mumbai's favourite beverage, the cutting chai
Sonil Dedhuia (MID-DAY; November 12, 2018)

Keeping their date with India, the team of Netflix's Narcos: Mexico — actors Diego Luna and Michael Pena along with showrunner Eric Newman — landed in Mumbai on Saturday night.

While the trio is set to meet filmmakers and fans alike as they discuss the future of digital entertainment in the country, in an event scheduled for today, it was all play on Sunday as they explored the Maximum City. On the itinerary was a visit to the Gateway Of India and a taste of Mumbai's favourite beverage, the cutting chai.

A source says, "While Eric has visited Mumbai before, Michael and Diego were keen to take in as much as they could during their maiden trip. They experienced the hustle-and-bustle of Mumbai life first-hand as they toured the busy markets of Matunga. In the evening, the three visited the Taj Mahal Palace for a view of the Gateway Of India, where they enjoyed a round of cutting chai."

A trip to India would be incomplete without experimenting with the local cuisine on offer. "They gorged on Goan food for lunch at an iconic seafood joint in Fort."

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; November 10, 2018)

Given the runaway success of Narcos so far, viewers are naturally waiting with bated breath for the release of Narcos: Mexico, conceptualised as the fourth season of the crime drama.

While it is already known that the show's lead cast - including Michael Pena, Eric Newman and Diego Luna - is headed to India in the run-up to its release on November 16, mid-day has now learnt that Alia Bhatt has been invited to be part of a panel discussion with the stars scheduled for Monday. On the cards will be a dialogue on what makes the Netflix original series so popular, and the way ahead for digital entertainment. Kapoor & Sons (2016) director Shakun Batra is also expected to join the conversation.

A source reveals, "The opening discussion will be about what makes Narcos such a popular show in India. But the crux of the chat will be about how online streaming business has changed the game of content viewing in India.

This year was important for homegrown content as Sacred Games marked the first Netflix original from India. Considering it has been loved by viewers across the globe, the panel will also discuss the kind of content that is expected from our industry in the future."