The Hindu Business Line : A`man' for all seasons

It is definitely an exciting time for the Indian television industry. There are big bucks in it right now," says Aman Varma, well-known TV actor and show host. He was shooting for the Star Plus soap, Kum Kum - Pyara Sa Bandhan at a suburban Mumbai studio.

"However, there is so much mediocrity on TV and in films that even if you are just average you will stand out. But if you are better, you can break away from the crowd," he says.

Varma's name stands out in an industry where actors are often identified as the characters they play on screen. In fact, some television actors have even fought elections based on their small screen persona. "I'm certainly happy that people recognise me by my own name. I've worked towards that," he says.

This actor stepped into Bollywood at 25, with nothing more than the conviction that he could act, some experience in ads and degrees in English literature, mass communication and finance. Soon, however, people noticed him for more than just his looks.

Making an impact as a 21-year-old in the DD serial, Pachpan Khambe Lal Deewarein, Varma later appeared in UTV's Shanti and, finally, landed the role of Anupam Kapadia in the mega soap, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

Khulja Sim Sim, a game show hosted by him on Star Plus, ran a record 108 episodes, making it the longest running show in its genre. Varma became a household name with his role as a game-show host.

"Even as an anchor, I am performing a role," he says. "People who are really intelligent make great actors, but you don't have many of them today. To be an actor one doesn't necessarily have to be intelligent but to be a successful anchor, one does. When intelligent people like Amitabh Bachchan or Karan Thapar host a show, audiences actually pay attention to every word. I would definitely like to be one of them," he says.

So, does he plan to make a transition to serious talk-shows, a la Vir Sanghvi or Barkha Dutt?

"If someone gives me an opportunity, why not," he counters enthusiastically.

"Before I did Khulja Sim Sim, no one thought I could do something light. My negative role in Devi surprised people. But you have to have the conviction to experiment and take calculated risks or you are going to be monotonous, mediocre and predictable," says the man defining himself as a "a survivor who can adapt to the medium. If not, I would be pushed out of the way and replaced by someone else."

Varma admires Shekhar Suman's ability to adapt successfully to the small screen. And adaptability seems to be the hallmark of his own career on the small screen. From hosting Jadoo, a magic show, to essaying a father's role in Kehta Hai Dil, he has done it all.

"I loved my role in Dushman, where my character grows from a 25-year-old to a 55-year-old. The only role I haven't done is that of a woman!"

Apart from an impressive line-up of serials on major channels such as Zee, Sony, Star Plus and Sahara, Varmahas also bagged several ad assignments for Colgate, Whirlpool, ICICI Bank and Harpic.

Does he feel a sense of satisfaction now?

"Not really. I came here to be in feature films but that's not really happening," he sighs.

He is not satisfied with appearances in movies such as Sangharsh, Andaaz, Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye, Tum, Koi Hai and even the latest grosser, Baghban, where he was featured on hoardings and cassette covers along with Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan.

"I am confident that I am better than a lot of others who are getting work because they are related to senior actors. Their films flop but they keep getting work. I look up to Shahrukh and Akshay Kumar because they have made it big on their own merit," says the outspoken actor.

If there is a mantra for success in the extremely competitive world of the entertainment industry, Varma surely has it.

On what has kept him going, he says, "It's a mix of stubbornness, focus, hard work, goal setting and being my own competition. It's a devilish world out here. When you are not from Mumbai, you have to strive harder. But that has only made me more aggressive to survive every day. If I'm unhappy with the role I get, I would still take it and perform in a way that would make me stand out."

Varma clearly has no intention of shifting from television, despite the 12-hour shifts and the repetitive roles. "I push myself harder so that at least on TV there is no one who can touch me," he says defiantly.

And how does he measure success?

"When I came to Mumbai, I told myself that each month I would have to earn more than the previous one. If you are good at your job, money automatically comes in. If that's not happening, I think the focus is not right."

But the man has had his share of disappointments too. "When you are down and out and things look bleak, if you manage to hold on with a firm belief in yourself, instead of breaking up, you come out with flying colours. I know what it's like because I've been through it," he concludes.

Picture by K. Ramesh Babu

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
You won't trash this trend!

Toasting the good times

Light up your senses

The jobbers of Mumbai

He lost Rs 20 lakh in one day

Sail into the sun 'n' sand

Magic on the waters

Green on the home turf

Collector's item

A`man' for all seasons

He says, she says...