Exclusive Interview: Sunjay Midda on Faith, Representation, and the Transformative Experience of ‘Daniel and the Fiery Furnace’

Sunjay Midda’s portrayal of Shadrach in Daniel: The Fiery Furnace became a transformative exploration of faith and his craft. Through meticulous research and a commitment to understanding his character’s physical, emotional, and spiritual life, Sunjay found a personal connection to a story known to millions. His performance reflects that preparation, capturing the humanity behind an extraordinary act of conviction.

Daniel: The Fiery Furnace follows Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as a royal decree forces them to choose between their faith and their lives. Refusing to abandon their beliefs, they face a fiery execution that will become an extraordinary testament to their conviction. Directed by the Kooman Brothers, the biblical drama explores the courage it takes to stand firm when the cost is everything.

Pop Culturalist spoke with Sunjay about the preparation behind his portrayal, the emotional demands of the film’s climactic sequence, and the collaborators who pushed him further. He also reflected on South Asian representation, creating possibilities for the next generation, and the stories he hopes to tell next.

PC: You’ve built such a varied body of work, with each project offering something different from the last. What was it about Daniel and the Fiery Furnace that spoke to you creatively, and what were you hoping to explore in yourself as an actor through this character?
Sunjay: It’s a great question, and honestly speaking, I found it very profound to bring a faith hero known to millions today to life. Playing Shadrach carried a lot of weight because this is a biopic drawn from the one and only Holy Bible. I enjoyed the challenge of digging deep into that history and discovering and developing my own faith during the journey of building the character from a text written thousands of years ago. I’m a true investigator, and I love the challenge of digging deep to discover a person and what makes them who they are.

It was also a fun challenge and experience to shoot in India. It’s always been my dream to shoot internationally, so getting to do that was an incredible experience. I love experiencing new cultures and connecting with people from all around the world.

PC: There’s so much physicality, emotional depth, and spirituality in your performance. Can you talk about preparing for each of those aspects individually and finding the connective tissue between them to create such a lived-in portrayal?
Sunjay: It really comes down to preparation. I had built an entire history of Shadrach’s life that I could rely on to ensure the emotional depth, physicality, and spirituality felt truthful. I’d studied the Bible from page one to ensure I understood his foundation and the times he was living in. So when we stepped on set, it did not feel like a new experience to me, but something I’d created in my mind through my research. In essence, I just wanted to live truthfully in his circumstances.

There were tiny details in my costume, from how I tied my sandals to my character’s accessories. They all had meaning, and there was a reason he would wear each piece. Everything needs justification, and I try to go into extreme detail as an actor so that when the director calls “action,” I’m ready to serve the story.

PC: There’s such a powerful sequence in the film where your character’s faith is put to the ultimate test. How did you create the space for yourself to explore the emotional tonality of that moment, and what did that scene teach you about your craft?
Sunjay: This was the climactic moment in the movie, so I’d prepared a lot for it. On the day, the feeling of what the characters were about to go through was profound: putting themselves through the fire, not knowing the outcome, and holding on only to stories they’d heard and miracles they believed were real. I did not feel like Sunjay on that day of filming. I was fully immersed in the moment. I cried for three to four hours straight while filming this. Even after we’d stopped filming, I just wept and wept. Our directors, the Koomans, consoled me, and we knew we’d nailed it. I slept like a baby that night!

I always knew that day, the “climactic scene,” was coming. As an actor, sometimes that little doubt seeps in about whether you can bring it or not. But what it taught me is this: if you’ve done the groundwork and the preparation, and you are physically, emotionally, and spiritually available, the truth will prevail. And that’s what happened. You just have to trust the work.

PC: This is such an ensemble-driven film, and it feels like you’re all elevating one another’s performances. With your personal ethos of going the distance, how did you and your scene partners push one another further? Was there a choice someone made that led to an unexpected discovery about your character?
Sunjay: Great question. Elijah Alexander is a huge star and is well known for his work on The Chosen. The first day we met on set, his entrance brought a profound sense of realness. I had goosebumps as he entered. After all, he was playing the king, which carries huge weight. He would often play with the scene and give me offers, which I was open to. I was so excited to be working with an actor who is alive in every scene, whether it’s his take or not. He’s a true artist.

The actor who plays Azariah, Zaki Ali, was also a true champion in this. We often shared a trailer, which built our camaraderie. On the day we filmed the climax, we prepared ourselves together. We did an incredible physical and spiritual exercise and sharpened each other, as iron sharpens iron.

PC: You’ve spoken so movingly about the South Asian actors who paved the way for you and your call for more universal roles so that our screens reflect our society. What would it have meant to your younger self to see those possibilities, and how do you hope the work you’re doing now expands them for the next generation?
Sunjay: Honestly speaking, I used to watch movies and television with just purity. I was drawn to stories and characters. I wasn’t massively conscious of what race a character was. I was driven by performance. However, as I grew older, I understood the importance of race and diversifying our screens much more. I became more conscious of this after becoming part of the industry. Upon reflection, I realized that I was drawn to performances that actually related to my story, my family’s story and the stories of generations before me. For example, I was so drawn to the movie East Is East as a kid. It was one of the only UK South Asian-led films, and I remember I’d watched it probably 50 times by the time I was in my late teens. Now I realize I can relate to that family, their struggles, their joy and their life experience as a South Asian Brit.

I believe we’re on the right track, and it needs to continue. I want young people to be drawn to stories and performances but also feel hopeful that there is space for them, no matter their race.

PC: Outside of Daniel and the Fiery Furnace, what’s next for you, and what kinds of stories or characters are you hoping to explore in this next chapter of your career?
Sunjay: I’ve just had the incredible opportunity to work with a powerhouse up-and-coming director, David Midell. He directed The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, which won numerous awards, including a Gotham Award for Frankie Faison, and David was nominated for the Someone to Watch Award at the Independent Spirit Awards. This is a role I may never be able to do again in my lifetime. It’s a moment I can tick off as an actor and say, “I went there.” Without giving too much away, it’s based on true stories of solitary confinement, and I went down to 63 kg to play the role. It’s one to watch for sure. It’s going to be very special.

I also just wrapped a nine-week shoot in Morocco for a huge streaming platform’s series. This is season two, and I can let you know that season one was number one across the globe!

I’m excited to play a variety of roles. I’d love to do some comedy soon and continue working in the States. I’ve always been after the American dream, and after shooting in New Mexico this year, I’ve got the bug. I’m anticipating my next project in the States. But most of all, I’m excited to work with different storytellers who are equally passionate about pushing the boundaries to bring a story to life and who share my drive and pursuit of greatness!

To keep up with Sunjay, follow him on Instagram. Stream Daniel: The Fiery Furnace wherever you watch movies.