‘Me’ playing different characters is like ‘Me’ playing different sides of myself : Samar Vermani
23rd June, 2023 I Richa Devesar I Filmy People
Samar Vermani, a well known face in the advertising world, who’s done over 200 TVCs so far is currently playing Ehsan in Sony TV Serial Katha....Ankahee. He has become a big craze especially among girls. Fans are going crazy over him and his Instagram account is a proof of that. Although he is not very active on social media but his fan following is increasing day by day and he is being praised for his acting, looks and dressing style. Infact, people are liking him so much that they want him to be the lead. Well, that’s quite a rare thing to happen but is very much evident from the appreciation being showered by his fans on his Instagram profile. One fan writes ‘I watch Katha just because of you, sometimes I skip all parts and just watch yours’, another one says ‘I don’t have TV at my place but got the App installed because I am hooked to the serial just because of your character’ while another fan says ‘You are a very good actor and your acting looks very natural, you should have been the lead.’ Some complement him for his effortless acting skills and others for his cute looks.
He started modeling at a young age of 23. Its been more than 10 years now and he is still in demand for TVCs and that is something which keeps him going. He made his Bollywood Debut as a lead, in 2018 with the movie Lashtam Pashtam although he was first seen in a supporting role in the film Jo Hum Chaahein in the year 2011. Not just modeling and acting in TV Serials but Samar has done some interesting Video Albums too including Sajte ho with Devo Ke Dev - Mahadev serial fame actress Sonarika Bhadoriya and Show Men Some Love - Men's Day Spl (not to forget his presence in Punjabi Music Videos) before taking a plunge into the world of OTT with web series Girgit in 2021 and recently released Happy Family- Conditions Apply. Its interesting to know that before Katha..Ankahee he was seen in a serial called Shadi Jasoos (2018) too. And to everyone's surprise Samar has also acted in a Srilankan Sinhala language movie called 'Kadira Divyaraja', a fantasy movie where he played the title role of Kadira.
Samar, as Ehsan has got different shades in his character which gives him a chance to showcase his versatility. How many shades does he have in real life? Well, well, well, in real life, he is a very soft hearted, modest, fun loving and happy go lucky kind of guy and is an Engineer. A versatile and effortless actor who believes in doing different character everytime be it serials, web series or movies, hails from Chandigarh. He likes to keep a low profile and this gives us a good reason to peep in to his life to get to know this humble, gentle and talented actor more. So here we go....
My first question to you has to be regarding Katha. Ehsan is stealing hearts.! You are getting so much love and appreciation. What made you say yes to play Ehsan?
To be very honest, what made me say ‘Yes’ to Ehsan was Director Ravi Bhushan Sir who is just the best in the Television Industry and also the Production House. Then I got the narration of the character where I got to know that Ehsan is a happy go lucky guy who doesn’t think much before doing anything because he lives in NOW. Vo past ko sochke itna rota nahi hai aur future ko sochke itna tension nai leta (doesn’t cry thinking about past and takes no tension about future). And probably that is the phase of life I am in right now where I don’t want to think too much about what will happen in future and what has happened in the past, I wanna really focus on my present and just enjoy life as it comes. And there was one more co incidence that I was reading the book ‘Power of Now’ when this role was offered to me. So, I thought lets go and explore it.
Since you belong to our very own Chandigarh, please tell us about your stay here, your schooling and friends etc.
You know one actually doesn’t realize the value of one’s hometown till one leaves it. Same thing happened with me. I left the city and home for the very first time at 18, to pursue my Engineering at Pune. Till then, I had not travelled much, more so because My Dad’s job was such that he could not take much off. So, I can say that it was first time for me to explore a different city on my own. And that’s when I realized the value of my city that O My God there is no other city like Chandigarh.
This is the city where I was born and brought up no matter which part of India I go, I can never forget Chandigarh. I feel what I am today is because of this city. People often say I have that stability in me. I guess, its because of my family and my city Chandigarh which has made me the way I am. My schooling was from Little Flower Convent School, Panchkula till 10th and in 11th 12th I was in Chandigarh preparing for my Engineering. I still relish my school friends and meet them whenever I come for a vacation here.
It's been more than 10 years since you moved to Mumbai, do you miss Chandigarh and what exactly do you miss?
Yes I miss Chandigarh, miss the peace, the calm, the roads, clean air. For me going to Chandigarh is like going abroad on a vacation. Whenever the city Mumbai gets on to me kyunki our work is like that you know from outside world it looks really fame and glam and all that jazz but its actually a lot of hard work, its lot of lifting yourself every single day. So whenever it gets too much on my health, mental or physical, I like to come back to Chandigarh and spend time with family. Ye sheher hi aisa hai like yahaan land karte hi (The city is such that after landing here) there is certain calmness in your mind so that’s the one thing I miss most about Chandigarh.
You are a Punjabi, right? So do you see Punjabi movies and which ones are your favourite?
Yes I am a Proud Punjabi and love watching Punjabi movies. I have many favourites actually from Carry on Jatta to Kismat. Infact I think if I watch 10 punjabi movies 8, I love. So, its like this. And being a Punjabi I feel, it’s a very sweet language that even if you are abusing in Punjabi na tab bhi vo pyaar lagta hai (seems like love).
Have you ever thought of working in a Punjabi movie?
Yeah, I would love to work in a Punjabi movie. The only thing is that like most of the Chandigarhians, I speak that kind-of-refined Punjabi because you know how it is in Chandigarh and Panchkula, people speak more of hindi so our Punjabi accent is a bit refined, you can say. Having said that given a chance, I would love to work in a Punjabi movie and then work on my Punjabi as well, for sure.
Punjabi film industry has grown so much in last 20 years, what is your take on that?
I think its really amazing! Anyone who is in abroad probably seeing a Punjabi film won’t say that it’s a regional film it’s a film from Hindi Film Industry simply because the kind of films they are making now with the kind of budget, content and production value , it doesn’t anymore look like a regional film. And with a very recent example of RRR we have seen that whether it’s a Telugu film, from south or a Punjabi film you know we can do our country proud on a world scale irrespective of the language.
Do you relate with the Mumbai culture and people around you?
I definitely relate with the people around me. Artists here are all so passion-driven that whatever work they are doing, its coming from the bottom of their heart. People are very nice here, very inspiring, very motivating. Its like whenever you feel down you just talk to your friend and he or she will understand what you must be going through because somewhere they are having same issues so that level of understanding is very much there.
Moreover, It’s a fast moving city where you have to be on your toes every single day. So I took some time to get used to it because coming from Chandigarh you know which is a chilled out city not this fast, so to say. But its been so many years now and I have become used to the city.
You did your engineering from Pune, how did acting happen?
Thanks to my Engineering, acting happened. Till the time I was 18, I had no idea what I have to do unlike today’s kids who are so sure. So for me it was more like following the mob. My parents took a decision on my behalf and made me do engineering which turned out to be good for me. But staying away from home for 4 years and doing everything on my own opened my mind. I discovered my liking for acting and started doing street plays, theatre in college just as a hobby and actually started enjoying it and post engineering I thought there is no harm going to Mumbai and trying your luck for couple of years. If it works well, its good and if it doesn’t then there is always Plan B to fall upon which was my Engineering.
Do you remember your first TVC?
I ofcourse remember my first TVC, it was with Prahlad Kakkar Sir, a well known name in the Advertising Industry. I was just lucky and fortunate enough to have got a chance to do my first TVC with him. Infact even after getting selected, I didn’t know that I was going to be lead guy out of four and that Prahlad Sir would be directing it. It was quite a big TVC and the concept and everything was great and it was a big hit also. And the best or you can say the funniest thing was that I could relate to it, how? A cop stops me and asks for my license and I give him money so it was quite ironical because my Dad is a Cop.
Your Big Break in Bollywood came with Lashtam Pashtam in which you worked with veteren actor Om Puri. How easy or difficult it was playing lead in the presence of such a seasoned actor?
Firstly, I really feel glad and fortunate to have shared screen with Late Om Puri Sir. It was his last theatrical release. And..it was difficult till the time I didn’t meet him. You know we all have some perceptions about such great actors. But I remember my first day on set with him. He called me in his vanity and chatted with me, discussed with me about everything about my life, my family and told me about his life too but nothing about the scene which we were supposed to rehearse. So, I was just thinking in my mind that why are we not rehearsing the scene? But realised later… that was his way to make me comfortable that first lets get to know each other and be comfortable and scene toh ho hi jaaega fir (scene will then be done) and it exactly happened the same way. So, he was like that elderly person on the set whom everyone is looking upto and really a friendly, jovial person. And it was so much fun working with him. Like I am actually truly, genuinely, grateful to have spent that time with him because Igot to learn so much and all that learning happened in a very fun way.
In TVCs we get to see a smiling Samar, in Lashtam Pashtam, you had an intense character to play, then in Girgit, you play a blunt cop and now in Katha a happy-go-lucky-guy with some grey shades, at times? Has it been difficult portraying such different characters or it comes naturally to you?
No, its not difficult but I enjoy playing such different characters. Because aap same-same play karke toh bore ho jaaoge na. (You will get bored playing the same characters) Its like having daal khichdi everyday, though its good but not everyday, you see. But yes, one thing is there that playing a different character requires a lot of prep and all.
I am glad that I have been offered such different characters you know where I get to play different sides of me. I honestly want to say that ‘me’ playing different characters is like ‘me’ playing different sides of myself. In Girgit, I played that more angrier side of me or the desi side of me, in the current show Katha, I am how I am in everyday life. Then Lashtam Pashtam , my first film didn’t do well unfortunately, but is very close to my heart. And Ads toh I love doing. I think Ads just keep everything rolling keep the actor in me rolling, keeps money rolling, so that’s the biggest reason probably, I could consistently survive in the city.
12. What is the best and the worst thing about being an actor?
Best thing is you get to play different character every single day but more than that its what you love doing I mean I get paid for whatever I do but God forbid, even if I wasn’t getting paid, I would have still done it and loved it the way I do now, why because when I am on set, when I am in front of the camera, when I am acting, I just forget time. So many times, we shoot for 14-18 hours in a day, though that’s not healthy, but there is no tiredness, maybe some physical fatigue but mentally, I don’t get tired because that is something, i love doing. So, I am, you know, by God’s grace fortunate enough to follow my passion, in my professional life.
And the worst thing could probably be rejections, I guess. But these rejections also makes one a stronger person altogether. After all those Nos, a single Yes does the magic makes you to be grateful, to be at peace with yourself that All is Well. I always feel one thing that any artist who is working from his or her passion might or might not be as successful as they aspire to be, at a certain point of time, but they see so much in such a short span of life that they surely become humble and good human beings.
Who is the real Samar? What does he like, what he dislikes and what interests him the most.
That’s a tough one to answer because I think the line really merges where I can differentiate myself from my professional life why because whatever I am doing in my professional life is so close to me personally that the line really merges. I love to act and that’s what I am doing.
As such there is no specific thing which I dislike, I would say may be just few traits in me which I dislike.
I really love spending time with my family though we fight a lot (and he laughs) but it’s a very good time with them. Apart from the work, travelling is definitely something which interests me and yes meeting friends. Honestly speaking, I am really not a materialistic kind of person who would say it mere ko ye achha lagta hai vo achha lagta hai (I like this, I like that) I am content with a happy and peaceful mind. And if I am already sounding like a Saint… let me tell you, I also love dancing and playing cricket.
What do you miss the most after becoming an actor?
That’s again a tough one. I miss being with my family ofcourse but actually, since the time I have grown up this is the only life I have seen I am here in Mumbai since the time I was 23 post my engineering. Having said that one thing does bother me, not always because I feel God has really been kind in giving me consistent work and that too of my choice. But at times when I look at my friends who are in IT companies, I see they have a certain stability because they are sure of their job and we actors have to prove ourselves at every point. But that only is the beauty of this acting field that makes you stronger. Having said that, I also feel any other job will get me security but then I will not be sure of happiness whereas acting field may be insecure but thergives me lot of happiness.
What life is to you?
Life to me is living every small moment and finding happiness and contentment and peace in smallest of things I do everyday. Half of the time, we human beings are either in the future or in the past and we are kind of ruining up our present so as much as I give this advice to anyone, I try to follow it up every single day. Also one thing lately I have realized that if sometimes, things are not happening as you have planned, its okey. You never know what is kept in store for you. So let the supreme power bhagvaan keh lo God keh lo let him decide ofcourse hamara farz hai kaam karna mehnat karna (our job is to work, to make effort) but if some unexpected thing has happened and suddenly we are like Oh my God why this thing has happened that moment, just wait and watch there might be some good in it which time only will tell. So that’s the reason I try to live in today and not think much about tomorrow.
Please tell us about your upcoming projects?
At the moment, Katha- Ankahee is taking most of my time. Also TVCs are going on, as usual. Recently I did a TVC of Kia Car then I shot for Llyod Washing Machine and both are quite prestigious ones and I feel fortunate again, to have got a chance to be in them. And talks are on for a Web Series. So, that’s about it.
You have got an over whelming response from fans for playing the role of Ehsan. People are loving you and your character so what do you have to say to your fans.?
My fans and my admirers who really like my work, thankyou so much! I feel it takes lot of effort to actually search someone on Instagram and then drop a message which is quite over whelming and thankyou so much guys for your time and all the love. I literally try and read every single DM and reply to it because it really means a lot.
Ideally people say that one should not look for validation outside, one should be content and validated within oneself. But trust me when you get validation from outside that too with so much of love, it really feels good yaar! I cherish it, am really enjoying it and grateful for it. Thankyou so much guys, whatever messages you send and whatever love you give it really inspires me every single day to entertain you and do my best. Thankyou so much!
Well, thanks to you Samar for taking out time for us. And your fans are really going to have a great time reading this interview and going to get inspired as well, for sure! Good wishes for all your upcoming projects.