Sumeet Vyas, who will be seen as menace personified in the web series Dark7 White, says he got tired of playing different versions of himself

Nonika Singh

Dark 7 White! A political thriller... doesn’t sound like Sumeet Vyas’s cup of tea. Rather by self-admission, “It is quite an antithesis of who I am and how I am perceived.” But that is precisely why the actor we all have loved to love in a host of amiable parts such as Permanent Roommates, decided to turn dark. The original star of OTT platforms, Sumeet wanted to break the mould, “tired of playing different versions of myself” and at least buck the trend for himself and try out something new.

Yes, like other forms of entertainment, he agrees that formula has begun to dictate OTT too. Been around on the platform for several years he can see both its upside and down. He says, “Yes makers have more faith in the medium and have begun to mount the shows on a much larger scale.” Yet, at the same time he feels that the levels of experimentation have come down. He adds, “If one hit series is based in Lucknow, all follow suit. If gaali-galauj works for one others lace their work with expletives too.” In fact, he has a major grudge against MBAs who work on the semantics of statistics,“this sold last year and will sell again” and thus could bring in death of entertainment. Despite this candid take, however, he doesn’t see the OTT content going downhill. The arrival of big players like Amazon and Netflix too he feels has created more room for everyone from technicians to actors.

As for his space in times when film stars seem to be crowding OTTs, he says, “I don’t think about positioning myself, if I do that I will be really depressed. I am not concerned that this platform, where I began my career and was doing so much work, is today swarmed with big stars.” His only concern is, “Am I getting better parts, am I being better paid, am I getting good amount of attention?” Since the answer to all these questions is yes, he couldn’t be bothered about whether he will become exceptionally famous or not. Yes, the actor of hit Veere Di Wedding could have encashed upon the film’s success. But he observes, “Look, films are not an end goal of my life.” The only reason he says yes to a part is if it stimulates the actor in him. Dark 7 White got his nod of approval on several counts. One he was thoroughly impressed by the way the director Sattwik Mohanty narrated the story. Secondly, he loved his part whose trajectory moves from student days to actual politics.

While political drama may be fraught with danger of ruffling feathers, he doesn’t think Dark 7 White is going to raise any hackles. He reasons, “The series is not about any political ideology, not right, left or even centre, but the mechanics of politics and how twisted it is. Compared to what actually happens in political circles, it is a mild version.”

Indeed, he promises his fans an engaging, nail-biting Wild West kind of fare that would see him as menace personified. Since he has made us all believe the all too likeable character he plays in many a series like the most recent Wakaalat From Home is a lot like him, how did he relate to this new avatar? He explains his acting process thus, “My performance style is realistic. If I can’t convince you I am that person there is no point. Only for that I have to first convince myself I am this goofy man who would say the most inappropriate things or this politician who believes killing is the right thing to do. It’s a tough process and takes its toll.” So, what exactly is the real Sumeet like? As he gives one word answer “bland,” don’t be taken in, for isn’t the charming actor all about the “art of convincing.”

How well, watch him turn a new leaf in Dark 7 White which streams today on Zee5 and AltBalaji.

nonikasingh@tribunemail.com