While character actors have always been vital, according to the actor, they are currently in the spotlight due to a shift in storytelling patterns.
From Bhabi ji Ghar Par Hain! to Mardaani to Sacred Games, actor Saanand Verma, who has carved a name for himself across all media (TV, cinema, and OTT), acknowledges there is one that stands out.
“For any actor, cinema is the most satisfying, and the reason is simple: it is the largest stage to be a part of.” It’s a place where you can truly get a sense of the larger-than-life sensation that storytellers strive to evoke in their audiences. As a result, for any artist, films are unquestionably the most significant and fulfilling experience. “Seeing oneself on the large screen is a wonderful, delightful experience,” he explains.
Despite their prominence in films, there was a period when character performers were not deemed significant enough. And with performers like Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Sanjay Mishra, Rajpal Yadav, and Manoj Joshi, Verma believes things have changed.
“Character actors have always been essential, but they are now in the spotlight because the storytelling pattern has altered and things are now more focused on characters.” The script has taken on a new role as the protagonist. This much-needed shift occurred more after the introduction of over-the-top (OTT), which has actually widened the range of roles available to character performers. We’re fortunate that the storyline approach is now character-driven, with each and every character being featured,” he says.
For the first time, Verma has a leading part in Madhur Bhandarkar’s anthology India Lockdown. “In one of the four stories based on the life of a sex worker, I play the antagonist. It was a thrilling and humbling experience for me to have such a significant role in Madhur sir’s film. He is a wonderful person with a fantastic sense of humor. Few people are aware of his talent at impersonation. He used to imitate a lot of Bollywood actors and make us laugh throughout our shootings. I’m delighted that he believed I’d be a good fit for the role of Tipu. The India Lockdown refers to the curfew implemented in India as a result of Covid 19. “It’s dramatic, humorous, and an excellent human drama, as is Madhur sir’s signature,” he says.
As an actor, he likes portraying characters who are diametrically opposed to his own nature. “And it’ll be my biggest kick if I can portray them convincingly and viewers accept my performance,” he continues.
It was not an easy road for the actor to get to this position in his career. “I was struggling to make ends meet.” I’d always wanted to be an actress, but I needed to work to make ends meet. I started with Mardaani (2014), but I didn’t get any more movie offers after that, so I became a TV star. Bhabhi Ji was a huge success, and my character became well-known. Raid (2018), Pataakha (2018), Chichhore (2019), Ram Singh Charlie (2020), Raat Baaki Hai (2021), Hum Do Hamare Do (2021), and Helmet are among the actor’s recent credits (2021). Since the last two years, the entertainment business, particularly Bollywood, has been impacted. Things are looking up thanks to OTT. The OTT app is a lifesaver. There are also many performers who were unemployed but are now working. Films and OTT, in my opinion, will coexist. “I don’t think OTT is a danger to film,” he concludes, citing the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which made over $1 billion at the box office.
