#FilmyPeople

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From a 6-year old child artist to Swiggy Uncle!

This Vadi Bro has come a long way !!

03 May, 2023 I Richa Devesar I FilmyPeople

If you have passion for something and keep on working towards that, you are surely going to get it, one day! Now its up to you whether you  call it Destiny or your Dedication…Swiggy Uncle has proved it both ways! How? Lets rewind his journey as an actor and get to know how he did it all?

Naresh Gosain, a mechanical Engineer by profession was passionate about acting since childhood. He started acting on stage when he was just six years old. It took him 50 years to reach where he is today. Hours, days, months and years’ of work could not give him what a 20 Sec Silent TVC did. It was not just a matter of chance that even after doing dozens of serials, hundreds of Street plays, and so many appearances in Big Budget Bollywood movies, he could not get the appreciation he had been looking for but he feels ‘God has been kind to have given me all this at this age because if he had given all this earlier, who knows I might have got vanished from the scene by now.’ Now, that is what we call positive attitude!

Before getting to know the Gulab Jamun Waale Uncle’s journey (as he’s fondly known), let me share few things which I remember of him as a child. In those days, he was acting in Doordarshan Serials Dil Dariya, Doosra Kewal and Phir Wohi Talaash. We felt really proud of the fact that my Maasi’s son is coming on Television. Unlike today, those were the Doordarshan days when everyone was watching the same thing at the same time, unlike today when the audience is segregated.

We are basically a very filmy family and I give all the credit to my Daddy and Mummy for this. Music, movies all this has been part of our lives since the time, I was not even born. So when Babbu Bhaiya (as we call him) got in to acting , we would look forward to hear all Filmy Stories from him. Infact, I got to know about Shahid Kapoor’s existence as a 10 year old when bhaiya was working in the serial  Phir Wohi Talaash (way back in 1990) with actress Neelima Azeem who had this very happy-go-lucky , jovial type youthful, college going girl’s character. He told us that she is a 28 year old woman and has a 10 year old son which was unbelievable.  We just could not believe that! And yes I do remember his dialogue in one of the episodes which was  ‘Kaad diya…..unko kaad diya’ (they have been thrown out).

And now…everyday we are seeing him in new TVCs be it Bisleri, Dr. Fixit, Netmeds, Goldie Masaale and so on. Success did come to him but after giving 50 dedicated years of his life. Does he have grudges or he is smiling the way he smiles while eating Gulab Jamun in Swiggy TVC? Before we ask him about his journey, how about having a look at some of his best TVCs!

Lets rewind and talk to him from where it all  started!

When did you first realize that you wanted to act?

It was not that I realized or something. Initially, it just happened, as my father was a theatre actor and a writer too, I would often accompany him during his rehearsals and one fine day he asked me to act..and with that began my acting journey. I acted in a lot of plays as a child artist. And this I’m talking about 1968 when I was hardly six years old and now that I’m talking of my childhood days, I can recall that I got my first award in 1972 in a theatre festival in Delhi which was quite motivating for me in that young age, although I didn’t understand the seriousness of acting that time.

In 70s and 80s, Doordarshan was the only channel we had and coming on Television was not a small thing. What memories do you have of your initial days?

In those days, actors got much more popularity because Doordarshan had the monopoly. If I talk about myself, I was working regularly with DD for various types of shows and family and friends used to appreciate that because it was a big thing back then. It reminds me of an incident, Doordarshan would telecast one Special New Year Show every year which used to have audience just the way we have now in reality shows. So whenever I got a chance to be there in that new year show, as an audience my friends would get very excited..Arrey tujhe dekha tha! And afterwards when I started acting in serials, though in small roles, I always got a positive response from family and friends.

And how and when did acting in Doordarshan happen?

Doordarshan was the only Channel we had back in 70s and 80s and I was lucky enough to have bagged my first Telefilm in the year 1981. In those days, it wasn’t easy to get a break but I got a chance to show my talent when Doordarshan started Morning Transmission somewhere in mid 80s and I did, mostly comedy serials like Hamaare manager, Popat lal Jasoos, Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan and few more. Then  I happen to meet Director Lekh Tandon who after directing some very big movies like Agar Tum Na Hote, Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaae, Professor, Aamrapali, Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan and so many more, came to Delhi to make serials for  Doordarshan.  I met him during that time only when he was directing Dil Dariya and Doosra Kewal for Doordarshan.

If I remember it correctly Dil Dariya was Shah Rukh Khan’s debut serial although the one that got aired on TV was Fauji, Right? How was the experience? Any incident of those days you can recall?

Absolutely right! Although I got to play a small role in that serial but as I was involved in production too, I was there on the sets everyday.  And you just asked about any incident. So I have an interesting thing to tell…I remember we were shooting for Doosra Kewal. We had to shoot a song and were looking for a particular location so I asked Lekh Tandon ji to shoot the same at my terrace. As soon as we finished the shoot, Shah Rukh said that his serial Circus is going to be telecast just now and he wanted to see it. We all came downstairs and he watched that episode of Circus with my whole family and that too sitting on the floor. He was already a big TV star by then and so humble was he…I offered him chair…but he said ‘No..I am Okey here.’ And we were all very friendly with each other be it Shah Rukh or other actors  like Arun Baliji, Vinita Malikji and Alka Amin (who was seen in Kedarnath as Sushant Singh Rajput’s mother) and I also remember that Arun Bali ji and Vinita Malik ji were the highest paid actors of this serial.

So, the shooting of all these serials was being done in Delhi only and did you continue with theatre also while doing DD serials?

While I was working in DD serials, I was also doing Public Awareness Campaigns because in those days, we used to have lots of such Govt campaigns running on Doordarshan. I continued doing theatre too but this time it was Ramleela and starting from year 1993, I continued playing Kumbhkaran for over 25 years at the Ramleela of Model Town 2, New Delhi. Then in the year 2000, I started doing Street Plays for private as well as Govt Sector and these kept me busy for years.

When did you first come to Mumbai for an acting assignment? What was that about? And which directors you worked with, initially?

I went to Mumbai for the first time in 1989. It was for the shooting of a TV serial called Sadbhaavna again for Doordarshan which was directed by Raj Tilakji who had already directed films like Mukti starring Shashi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar and Vidya Sinha and 36 Ghante starring Raj Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Mala Sinha and many more. After doing Sadbhavna,  I started coming to Mumbai frequently. Although it was one scene or two and the first movie I did was Manorama Six Feet Under.  Then I got a chance to work with Subhash Ghai ji in Kanchi.

Rajat Kapoor was another director, I got a chance to work with in the movie Aankhon Dekhi.  Then Dibaakar Banerjee..with whom I worked in Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, then Vicky Donor happened with Shoojit Sarkar. Infact, I was in all 3 projects of Mirzapur Director Gurmmeet Singh - What The Fish, (in which I had a good role but unfortunately the film didn’t do well at the box office)Warning and Sharaafat Gai Tel Lene and years later I got a chance to work with him in Mirzapur too.  Roles were small but good thing was that I was getting work.

What made you decide to permanently move to Mumbai? Did you get family support?

When I was doing serials Chidiya Ghar and Laapata Ganj that time, I seriously thought of moving to Mumbai. It was around 2012 that I started getting regular work…all the films that I just mentioned. But yes, permanently I decided to shift my base here was after Swiggy TVC happened, that has been the biggest turning point in my career. And yes, when I decided to move to Mumbai permanently, my family did support me. And moreover,  I could afford to be away from home and give it a shot as my kids were grown up and busy in their own lives and I had my mother and wife Meenu’s full support to go ahead with my decision of giving it a shot.

How did you get Swiggy TVC? Did you have any idea that it would be the biggest turning point of your career? Any big complements you received from your industry friends?

I still remember I was in Delhi doing my awareness campaigns and in between that, I got a call for audition of this Swiggy Ad. I recorded my audition video there only on my mobile and sent it. Although I wanted to get selected but wasn’t sure. But I was selected and there I was shooting for that Ad which changed my life and there has been no looking back since then.

I got lot of popularity because of the Swiggy campaign. The thing is that nowadays the audience is divided..in a way that some people watch only movies, some…crime thrillers, some like to watch family shows, some…news but Ad is one thing which everyone watches and it comes on every platform and this Swiggy TVC came during IPL season and that’s the reason it got even more visibility. The Ad campaign really helped Swiggy and their sales increased by 45%.

My friends Vinay Pathak and Saurabh Shukla gave me complements. They said the way you hold your expressions and smile, is amazing. Kya kamaal ki ad ki hai tuney. I have been doing like this for so many years now but the only thing is that when God’s blessings come, things just change and the same thing happened with me.

How easy was it shifting to TVCs? How do you look at the whole thing?

Doing TVCs was not a planned move, first of all. It just happened. The thing is that when you are doing theatre, reaction is instant. One story is told in 2 hours in a film, in a series it takes 10-12 episodes but when it comes to an ad, you have to tell the story in just 15-20 secs which is not an easy thing. I got to learn so much while doing TVCs. On other hand all my experience came in handy when I started doing ads. I have not had any formal training in Acting, but I have hands-on experience of 55 years. Everyday, I am doing something new which is challenging and satisfying at the same time.

You have worked in some Short Films also, how was that experience?

So far working in short films has been one of the best experiences and I enjoyed working in The Honeymooners and Shagun. I am emotionally attached to The Honeymooners, actually. There is whole variety of roles that I am doing now and it is very surprising that at this age I’m doing things that I never thought, I would ever do, especially after crossing 60. Bojh was another short film that I did. Also I did few bigger Ads which had a storyline especially the ones done for Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day.

You have worked in some Web Series also. Tell us about that experience? And your upcoming projects also?

Yes I have done few Web Series like Mirzapur, Inside Edge, Illegal and few more to come. Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper is the next Web Series I’m waiting for then there’s one more Jhaansi ka Rajkumar. Plus TVCs are going on. One with Ranbir has just started coming and Vadilal campaign also started recently and after Swiggy Uncle they’ve shown me as Vadi Bro…it has that youthful touch with lots of colours. I’m loving every bit of it.

Your experience of working with actors like Akshay Kumar, Virat Kohli , Anushka, Alia and Ranbir Kapoor?

The experience has been great. They’ve all been very nice. Ranbir Kapoor is one humble actor I have worked with. I had a great time shooting with Virat and Anushka too. One of the ads we did together was about eating  and they brought Rajma Chaawal from their home. Since he is also from Delhi I told him it has this typical DIlli-wala taste and we ll enjoyed shooting as well as eating.

Do you have any grudges that all this success and fame came your way very late or you are enjoying it?

I am grateful to God. I feel that if I had got success some 20-30 years ago, I might not have been in the industry today. God has really been kind and I have no grudges at all.

How does it feel living your childhood dream?

Although I have been acting for so many years now and I have always given my 100 % whether it was  serials or movies or street plays but the kind of stuff I got to do after my Swiggy TVC is something I am really enjoying. I never imagined that I would get such amazing roles to play and trust me God has really been kind and there’s much more to come. Its all God’s grace. I have been working consistently for last 50 years but got showered with all the name and fame now and its all God’s blessing.

I would personally recommend you all to watch these two Festival Spl TVCs and you will have an idea how good Swiggy Uncle is with his facial expressions.

[filmyypeople]

Manish Goel... Not just an actor!!

18th April, 2023 I Richa Devesar I FilmyPeople

A young boy who was always bullied by his peers for his looks and dark complexion back in school had his eyes filled with dream of becoming, not just an actor, but, HERO. All these odds never discouraged him to follow his dream so after completing his schooling, he straightaway landed in Mumbai to chase the passion he always had. Having started as a Spot Boy on the sets of hugely popular comedy serial of 90s, Dekh Bhai Dekh, he accepted whatever came his way, which included doing crowd scenes with no  dialogues and then getting few dialogues but with limited money and no contacts at all, it was only his passion that was keeping him motivated to achieve more in life.

He kept on doing serials like Just Mohabbat, HipHip Hurrey, CID and few more with a thought that a day will come when people who are just passing by without noticing him, will stop and recognize him and this happened when he was signed by Ekta Kapoor for the serial Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and since then there has been no looking for this hard working, multi talented actor, Manish Goel, who even after being in this industry for over 28 years has his feet firmly grounded. With no starry air, he proudly says that 'being an actor is my profession and it is because of this profession that people know me, love me, so I cannot even think of taking all this name and fame for granted and be in my own world ignoring my fans and well-wishers.' 

All this is just an iota of his personality, lets explore more about him.

Mujhe Pehchaano, Main Hun Kaun..?

His Nick Names are Money, Manya and Mannu.

He was born in Delhi.

His Schooling is from Father Agnel, New Delhi.

He is married to actress Poonam Narula (2002)

His Popular TV Serials include Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kasauti Zindagi Ki, Bhabhi, Sara Akash, Bhagyalaxmi, Nimki Vidhaayak, Hamaari waali Good News to name a few.

Reality Shows he’s done so far include Say Shawa Shawa, Zaraa Nach Ke Dikha, Maha Yatra, Welcome Baazi mehmaan nawaazi, Nach Baliye.

Pehla Nasha Pehla Khumaar..!

His First Job was as a Spot boy for TV Serial Dekh bhai Dekh.

His First TV Appearance was as a Crowd Actor.  

His First Video Album   was Dil Laigi Kudi by Jasbir Jassi –

You will be surprised to know that Manish was the guy in this so popular Punjabi song of 90s. Have a look!

His First TV Serial was Just Mohabbat - Couldn’t get the clipping of this serial but have a look at young Manish, in the popular serial Hip Hip Hurray which was aired around the same time.

His First Reality Show was Nach Baliye Season 1 - Manish Goel and his actress wife Poonam Narula were declared first runner up in the first season of this reality show. How about having a look at their performances?

His First Web Series was Love Bytes 2

His First Movie as a lead is going to be Hanak.

These are a few of my favourite thingzz..!

Favourite Actor      Shah Rukh Khan and Christian Bale

Favourite Serial      Dekh Bhai Dekh

Favourite colour     White and Blue

Favourite hobby     Journal writing and poetry

All time Fav Movie   Retro Classics

Fav Holiday Spot     Anywhere in India

His Real life Favourite role is that of a Son.

I, Me aur Main!

His Philosophy of Life is ‘Be a good human first, rest follows!’

His favourite characters are Anupam in Kasauti Zindagi Ki, Tilak in Bhabhi, Captain Saurav in Sara Akash, Prithvi in Tantra and Raj in Devi. He further says that ‘Every episodic show I did is my favourite, I played a different role everytime, which was extremely challenging and fun and I continue to do that.’

His Favourite Reality Show is Nach Baliye.

A Multi-faceted Personality

A motivational speaker – Manish himself is a self-motivated person so when he was asked what actually motivated him to be a motivational speaker, his quick reply was, ‘people felt I motivate them and it kind of developed in to this title. Feels good to make difference in other people’s lives and makes me happy too. Lets have a look at Motivator Manish.

A poet – He has always been in habit of writing journals and this habit transformed in to poetry and very soon his poetry book is going to get published. Till then how about enjoying this beautiful poem dedicated to his father.

A Guinness World Record Holder- Yes, Manish Goel is a Guinness World Record Holder and still retains the title. Have a look!

An entrepreneur – Manish Goel, alongwith his wife Poonam Narula is running an entertainment based company DreamBigMakeBig Entertainment which is involved in Talent management, digital ads 360 degree, wedding planner, concerts, brand tvc, ground production.

We Are Family!

Parents - As Manish Goel hails from Delhi, his parents are settled there and are running a 45-year old Salon by the name of Meghna, in South Delhi.  

Sister – He has a sister named Meghna.

Wife - Manish Goel is married to actress and entrepreneur Poonam Narula and he feels that ‘We are best friends’ and we have this video which says it all.

Kids- Manish and Poonam have two kids a son, who is in college and daughter who is in school.

That's Manish Goel for you all!!

[filmyypeople]

‘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.

[filmyypeople]

My journey hasn’t been easy but the child in me keeps me going : Bidisha Ghosh Sharma

05 June, 2023 I Richa Devesar I FilmyPeople

A young girl, who has loved watching Bollywood films since childhood, had this dream of becoming an actress one day, but then there were no Filmy contacts, no formal training, how was she going to do what she eventually did and that too on her own?  It was her positive and lively attitude, enthusiasm, love and respect for herself, her life and people around her that brought her where she is today. Success didn’t come her way dancing when she started off as lot of struggle and hard work was involved. It took her almost 20 years to get the kind of role she had been looking for, all these years though she has done a good number of serials. It has been one long journey but what one needs to appreciate in her is her perseverance, spirit of never giving up and always giving her best, no matter what!

Bidisha Ghosh Sharma needs no introduction today, as everyone knows her as Teji Aunty, Viaan’s mother in Katha..Ankahee but her journey which started as Komolika’s sister in Kasauti Zindagi Key Season 1 wasn’t easy but worth sharing. Inspite of having good looks, confidence, talent and above all enthusiasm for life, it has not been a cakewalk for her. Bidisha, who apart from being an actor, is a writer, a painter and a singer as well. How did she make it all possible without much of a formal training? Its her passion, her will power, her positive outlook and the child in her that keeps her young and energetic and enthusiastic all the time.

There is actually so much to write about her not because of her talents alone but for the person she is..warm, humble, friendly, down to earth, sweet and honest to the core. It was a pleasure talking to this multi-talented girl who just loves life and is more than just grateful for what all she has achieved so far. Let’s get to know her more.

 Katha Ankahee is doing extremely well and people are just loving the serial, the story and the starcast. The first thing I would like to know is How did Katha… Ankahee happen? It so happened that Ravi Bhushan Sir who was looking for someone who could play Ehsan’s mother had seen my work in Dil Sambhal Ja Zara, which coincidently was a Turkish series adapted in hindi. So, I was called for the audition, then look test happened and I was told that since my face cut and look resembles Viaan’s, instead of Ehsan, I would be playing Teji’s character. And here I am!

Were you ready to play the mother of a guy who, in real life is just a few years younger to you or there were apprehensions?

Not at all, Not at all! The thing is that I had already played the role of a Grandmother few years back on a DD Show called “Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan”. So that ways, I had no apprehension. Moreover, as an actor I like to do challenging roles. If everytime, its ‘me’ playing on the screen, there would be nothing new. So I found it challenging to get in to the character of an older woman who is not like ‘me’…No doubt …one has to prep for such a role… a lot but that’s what challenges me. And talking about Katha, it’s a very realistic serial and not one of those serials where a mother is given that typical look. Now if you see around, there are fit and younger-looking mothers everywhere…So, thankfully my character in the serial is quite contemporary.

Bidisha Ghosh Sharma in Katha.. Ankahee :

How are you finding the fame and the fan following ?

It is surreal! Everytime I go somewhere, people stop and talk to me, appreciate me, smile at me. I have been in this industry for quite sometime now and have done lot of work but the kind of recognition, popularity and response I am getting from Katha is phenomenal. And you know,  once in a while I do pinch myself and  say ’Okey, its good that people are appreciating but don’t get too excited, Bidisha.’ But honestly, I really love it when people genuinely praise our efforts and work.

Moreover, what happens is that when your whole work environment is positive, every one is working hard, you end up encouraging each other and the best version comes out. I feel Adnan is a fabulous person, too disciplined, too sincere and I get to learn so much from him. Then Samar, he is like… fabulous, so natural, so impromptu. With Priyamvada, its lot of fun, we laugh like kids and crack jokes and she is a brilliant actor and pushes me to be brilliant as well. Then there’s Aditi, although I haven’t had too many scenes with her but she’s also a fantastic actor..so warm, down to earth and humble. The writers are fabulous. I think, main jitna bolun utna kam hai about our cast and crew. And then, our director, the captain of the ship…. We toh blindly trust him because he knows how to get the work out of an actor. You know as an actor, sometimes when we give a shot we’re not sure but when we see our scenes on screen how they have turned out, our trust in our Director goes up like vo haan boley to haan.

You always wanted to be an actor or it just happened? 

As a child, I was crazy about movies. Like, Exam hai kal lekin mujhe Mr. India dekhni hai and you know when my parents would lock me up in the room during my exams main kaan lagaa ke sunti thi ke kaun sa scene chal raha hai. That time only I had decided that I want to be an actor. But it didn’t happen very soon because I had no connection in the entertainment industry. People say na when you really want something from your heart, poori kaaynaat ek saath ho jaati hai. The same thing happened with me. It so happened that when I was doing my Hotel Management Degree in Manipal, Govinda and Urmila had stayed in the hotel where our training was going on. They were shooting for Hum Tumpe Marte Hain. So, that was the first time, I got connected with a filmy crew..the assistant directors and the director. They would invite us to see the shooting and even when I came back to Mumbai, we remained in touch.

So, you faced the camera for the first scene for which serial and how it all happened? In those days, when I had just started out, what used to happen, we would drop our portfolios at the Production Houses. So, I had also dropped one at Balaji..and one fine day, I got a call and that was my first experience. I played Komolika’s sister’s role and it was kind of a cameo. But the journey had begun..like this I kept on playing small characters and trust me it hasn’t been an easy journey..it took me 20 years to reach where I am today. But yes, these small roles only made way for bigger ones and the first major serial that I got was Doordarshan’s Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan, then Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai , also Sufiyana Pyaar Mera , Kahaani Hamaari - DIl Dosti Deewaanepan Ki, and few more till Dil Sambhal Ja Zaraa came my way..but unfortunately Corona came and nothing more happened. But yes….things changed with Katha….Ankahee.

Bidisha Ghosh Sharma in Kasauti Zindagi Key Season 1 as Komolika’s sister: (Check 4:32 and 8:02)

Bidisha in Dil Sambhal Ja Zaraa :

Bidisha in Sufiyana Pyar Mera :

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bidisha Ghosh Sharma (@bidisha_ghosh_sharma)

Have you had any formal training in acting?

Initially not! But yes just few years ago, I did an Acting workshop with Saurabh Sachdev’ which really helped me as an actor. And before that it was like whatever I knew of acting, all was learnt on the sets. It takes me back to my early days, one day when I was shooting for a serial, I just wasn’t able to give the right shot. At that time, a senior actor came up to me and gave me few tips and I incorporated that and again gave the shot and trust me it came out perfect and everyone there appreciated me. That was it! There has been no looking back since then. I started getting lot of offers as I discussed earlier serials like Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan and all and one thing I would like to mention that I actually learnt a lot while doing this serial.

Bidisha in Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan :

Bidisha, you are not just an actor. You are a writer, a singer, a painter and a reasonably good cook too? You sing so well, are you a trained singer, did you have any formal training?

Honestly no formal training as such except few days here there, its just that I’ve been singing since childhood and when I entered college there also I used to participate in competitions and my friends and seniors always used to encourage me like they would always insist on singing Asha Bhonsle songs. Infact, when I had not started acting, I participated in Channel V Popstar Hunt and Indian Idol  too and somehow managed to reach semi final round but then…I wasn’t selected So, I kind of gave up. This was the time when I had not started acting and just like that I thought of giving it a try. 

Bidisha singing Nainon Mein Badra…

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpwczIJqTOW/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

Now I would like to know about writer Bidisha? Please elaborate on that. When did you start writing? Also that unfinished book, you told me about?

As far as writing is concerned, I started writing poetry first, during my college days. Then there was a big gap. Then I wrote few short stories and during Covid time, I wrote screenplays. Very recently I have again started writing poetry and I post it regularly on Instagram. What happens is when you are writing a poem, you have to put yourself in other person’s shoes…unke emotions unki feelings..something you might not have experienced yourself but you listen to something and it touches you and you get in to that thinking mode…basically that’s the thing.

And as far as that unfinished book is concerned, that’s still unfinished. Somehow, I have not been able to complete that.

Bidisha’s poetry :

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bidisha Ghosh Sharma (@bidisha_ghosh_sharma)

Now painting, I have seen some of your paintings and they are beautiful? Since when have you been painting? Actually, from my school days only, I was reasonably good in drawing, making sketches. But I was scared of brushes and paint and had no idea how to paint on the canvas. One fine day, I told myself that I must learn to paint. So, I learnt to make one canvas painting from a painter and then started practicing it myself with the help of YouTube. I first started with oil paint but what happens is that you have to wait for the oil paint to dry in order to paint another layer…and that wait was a difficult thing for me. Then I started with acrylic and then…made lot of paintings and even held few exhibitions.

Bidish'as painting :

And now something about cooking?

I love to eat and cook. Although I don’t cook on regular basis but I do like to experiment a lot especially with salads, gluten free cookies, bread, pancakes, muffins and burgers. Basically it was during Covid time that I got to experiment a lot. I cooked for over months day in and day out and that gave me so much more confidence in experimenting new dishes.

Which is your favourite bengali dish?

It’s really difficult to pinpoint one Bengali dish..because Bengali food is really very tasty and flavours are really amazing. Now I’m not saying it because I am a Bengali, but genuinely. You know the thing is that Bengali food takes lot of time to cook…its very time consuming and that’s the reason it’s not easily available in Restaurants also. My Mom is an expert she exactly knows which masala to put in which thing, how much roasting to be done etc etc. So, I just relish all Bengali food, basically.

I read in one of your interviews where you said that at heart, you are just 21 and trust me it reflects in your personality so what keeps you going?

Absolutely! What keeps me going is that I never let the child in me die. People grow up thinking they have to be serious about life. But I feel, one doesn’t have to be. You need to love, appreciate and be grateful for everything you have. I love nature and I’m always excited about life, like a child. A child is always excited about every new thing. So when we grow up what stops us from being excited about things? Actually, in day today life, people forget to appreciate, they tend to reject normal things saying ye to hai hi. But what I feel is we must thank the Universe, and be happy and honestly, happiness is what keeps me going and I love people, I’m a people’s person, love interacting with different kinds of people.

12. Tell me something about your husband. How does he take all this, your acting career?

Oh! He’s very supportive. He drops me and picks me up from my shoot everyday and supports me in whatever I do. He even takes me to auditions. So, I feel lucky to have him by my side.

13. Anything you would like to say..

I really want to spread this word, I want the world to respect each other and every individual should understand the differences in one another and just love one and all unconditionally. We shouldn’t  differentiate people for who they are, what they do, what religion they are from. Infact, we should understand that we are one species and that’s it. I believe one should always be honest, sincere with yourself and others and Stay humble!

So, that’s the real Bidisha Ghosh Sharma!

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