by One actor who has made his presence felt in the world of web series’ these days is Sumeet Vyas. Actor and writer Vyas who has played several small parts in many movies and sitcoms, gained instant recognition and stardom through The Viral Fever’s web series Permanent Roommates. And today on Chai With Shai we have the ‘man’ himself discussing his career so far and his future ahead over a cup of chai and pakodas. Here are some excerpts from our fun chat.
Permanent Roommates Season 2 is premiered on 14th Feb. What can the audience expect this time?
Big scale entertainment, more mature plot, stellar cast – full of surprises (gushes), more madness, and a lot of Coooool stuff (smiles).
How did your affaire with Tinseltown start?
I was very weak at studies, so my father put me in an editing studio when I was 16, I started working there full time soon, as I learned very quickly. I worked there for a year or so, and then one day I went to Prithvi theatre to watch a play in which my father was acting, that changed my life. I started working with Ekjute theatre group, then moved on and worked with several other groups and directors, directed plays, etc. simultaneously, I was also doing bits on T.V, as and when I got any opportunity, did a few films, like English Vinglish, Aurangzeb, Aarakshan, Guddu ki gun, Kajariya, and some that are about to release (smiles).
How did your family react to your decision to become an actor?
They were cool, my father is from NSD, he was a little concerned when I left my job at the editing studio, but once he realised how passionate I was about acting, he let me do my thing. My mother has always been a pillar of support for me. So ya, they were cool (grins).
Your father is a writer, did he give you any tips on writing when you started out as a writer too?
Not really, that’s what I love about him. He lets me have my own journey, allows me to make my own mistakes and learn from them. His suggestions are generally very poetic, which only make sense to me after ten years (laughs), a pattern that has continued since I was born.
Interesting (smiles) so how did you stumble into the world of web-series?
I had seen all the previous videos by TVF. A friend introduced me to them, and I knew Nidhi Bisht, who was in most of those videos, so I called her and told her that I’d love to work with them, and ya, they called me for Permanent Roommates (smiles).
I must say it is a pretty interesting story (smiles). How has been your association with TVF till date?
Very good I’d say, I love their work ethics, we have a lot of respect for each other. And they create a great atmosphere to work in.
How did Bang Baaja Baraat with Y Films materialize?
Well Anand Tiwari and I had worked on an idea long time back, but it didn’t go anywhere, and then we came in touch with Nikhil Taneja who had just joined YRF and he heard the concept and loved it, so we decided to write it afresh. I wrote the dialogues for it and Anand, Amrit Pal Bindra and I wrote the story together.
Is web-series a lucrative career decision? Would you recommend the same to newcomers?
I guess so, because so far, content is what works on the web, so if your stuff is good, it’s an open medium, just dive in.
Films, serials and web-series you have done every medium of entertainment. So what’s next for you?
A lead part in a film (rubbing his hands and grins).
I am sure you will get one soon (smiles).
Insha Allah (laughs).
Do you think Indian’s are open to experiments when it comes to various genres of entertainment like westerners?
Of course we are, how else would a Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Fargo and other series like them become so popular in India, especially with the youth. They’re nothing we can relate to in these shows and still they work because they are such interesting stories.
True… What are your future plans?
Am writing a series right now, and Permanent Roommates 2 is going to keep me busy for the next 2 months.
Great! So Sumeet if you are a close follower of our chat series you would have noticed that we have a round where I throw few questions at you and you have to reply in a word or a sentence as appropriate.
Yes… (smiles) I am prepared for that (laughs)
Are you??? (smirks)
Yes… Now don’t scare me (laughs out loud).
Don’t worry as you are new on my series I will be little kind to you (winks).
Thank God!
Okay so here we go… Who is your Permanent Roommate?
My wife (smiles).
Nidhi or Sridevi your favorite co-star?
Nidhi.
Played safe huh?
No seriously (laughs).
What advice will you give the TVF team?
Don’t change
One Night Stands or Committed Relationships?
Whatever gets you good sleep in the night (winks).
Clever (smiles). The most embarrassing moment ever?
Can’t tell you, it’s too embarrassing (laughs).
Okay… next… Long drives or candle lite dinner?
Long drives.
Your favorite movie?
Agneepath (the original) and Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind.
Your favorite book other than Knocked Up written by me?
Animal Farm by George Orwell
If a movie is made on your life, whom do you want to play your character?
Me Of course!
Other than you I meant…
No one can play me better than myself!
Okay fine… moving on (smiles). The most underrated actor in India?
So many of them (counts on his fingers) Sanjay Mishra, Akshay Khanna, Javed Jafari, Gajraj Rao and Sumeet Vyas (winks).
Hmm… impressive… Okay now, the most overrated actor in India?
Again so many… (about to start counting his fingers, shakes his head and smiles) can’t name them (winks).
Huh? Okay, your dream director?
Raju Hirani and Woody Allen
Permanent Roommates or Bang Baaja Baraat?
Permanent Roommates always!
Is there is a Permanent Roommates 3 happening in the future?
I’m sure there will be (smiles) fingers crossed… See (crosses fingers and shows me, and smiles).
Any other projects you are doing with TVF?
Many, but nothing fixed yet.
It was a pleasure having you on Chai With Shai Sumeet and before we conclude what advice do you want to give your fans?
There’s light somewhere, it may not be much light, but it beats the darkness, be on the watch, the God’s will offer you chances, know them, take them, you are marvelous, the God’s wait to delight in you ( a small quote from The laughing heart by Charles Bukowski)
Be cooool!
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