Not everyone has heard of Manu Narayan, but with his recent leap to the movie screen in Mike Myers' "The Love Guru," he's officially joined the long list of Pittsburgh-area natives who have made it big.

Actually, even without his role as Rajneesh, Guru Pitka's loyal assistant, Mr. Narayan, 35, should make that list.

The Delmont-born actor and singer originated the lead role of Akaash in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 2004 Broadway musical "Bombay Dreams," and appeared in the national touring company of "Miss Saigon" for four years beginning in 1995.

He's also acted in episodes of "The Sopranos," "Law and Order" and "Lipstick Jungle," and in several off-Broadway shows.

And in his spare time, there's his band, Darunam, and 64-56, the production company he runs with bandmate Radovan Jovicevic and friend Jeff Wardrop.

This quick look at the resume of Mr. Narayan, a Carnegie Mellon University and Franklin Regional High School graduate, points to one key to his success: versatility.

Kevin Pollack, Franklin Regional's band director, said he remembers Mr. Narayan as a "triple threat" student.

"He sang, he danced, he acted -- he was phenomenally talented," said Mr. Pollack, who taught Mr. Narayan in marching, concert and jazz bands, where he played saxophone. "He lit up the stage when he was on."

Just as important, Mr. Pollack noted, those big talents came with an equally big sense of humility and responsibility.

"He's the nicest kid," said Mr. Pollack. "What I respect about him is that he still credits his parents and teachers for his success."

As predicted, Mr. Narayan quickly pointed to his parents, Badri and Vatsala Narayan, as his greatest source of support.

"I guess my mom saw some musical talent in me," he said by phone from his home in New York. "She started me in voice at 5."

By the time he was in high school, Mr. Narayan, an only child, had been a member of the Reach Out singing group in Greensburg, the junior Mendelssohn choir and the CLO Mini-Stars. He also had been winning prizes for playing saxophone.

During college, Mr. Narayan spent time in India learning that country's classical style of saxophone, and appeared in "Fame," "Mame" and "Godspell" at the Pittsburgh CLO before landing a place in the "Miss Saigon" national tour.

It also was at CMU where Mr. Narayan said he got some great career -- and life -- advice from Robert Page, the Paul Mellon professor of music and director of the Mendelssohn Choir.

"In the arts, so often you're pressured to specialize," Mr. Narayan said. "His advice was to do as much as I can until I can't anymore."

He added that advice had made it easier for him to find jobs in New York, where the cost of living is so high. "The more talents I can use, the better."

With his role as Rajneesh in "The Love Guru," Mr. Narayan has found yet another forum for his talents. He said the experience has left him bitten by the movie bug.

"Everyone from Mike Myers on down was so approachable, and it was the catalyst for a great learning experience," he said. "I'd love for the movie thing to take off."

Another aspect of Mr. Narayan's versatility is his Indian background. He's well-known in India, even serving as the 2005 host of the Bollywood Fashion Awards, which honors Indians actors, musicians and fashion designers.

But he notes that while some roles require a certain appearance, the advent of cross-cultural casting in film and theater has opened doors.

"You could argue that Daniel Day-Lewis in 'There Will Be Blood' is an example of cross-cultural casting," he pointed out. "That's an Irish guy playing a Texan -- and winning an award for it."

He will be busy this fall as Darunam releases its first full-length album of music he described as "pop-rock-lounge-relaxation."

Although his career requires he live in New York, Mr. Narayan said he will always feel like a Pittsburgh native.

"I still follow all the sports teams," he said. "And there's Pittsburghers everywhere in New York. Most of my closest friends are from there.

"It's always really nice to come home. If you're from Pittsburgh, there's a little bit of your heart that stays there."

First Published: August 28, 2008, 2:30 p.m.