Baba On Board

While the cute poster guy known to have earned just enough internet fame is an ideal ‘roomie-material’, he admits his desire to be an asshole. We caught hold of the ‘Nice Man’, Sumeet Vyas in his awfully tight schedule and asked him a few questions on the go.

- Devika Ohri

Starting with English Vinglish, what made you accept the role of a Pakistani cabbie, who wants to speak fluent English?

I was just happy that I was getting a fun part because around that time, I was doing a lot of serious, a typical decent, well-spoken guy kinda shit… So I literally pounced on this opportunity (chuckles). I have travelled to Lahore for my plays, and have made a few friends there so it was easy to pick up their mannerisms and accent. I thoroughly enjoy playing characters that are completely against my grain.

Permanent Roommates made you a household name and it is supposed to have kick started the trend of web series in India. What inspired you to take the role of Mikesh?

I had seen the kind of work that TVF was doing and I really wanted to work with them. About Mikesh, the character gave an outlet to all my stupidity and my goofiness. What was most inspiring was the attention to detail in the writing of this character by Biswapati Sarkar. I told myself, ‘I have to do it!’

Mikesh is arguably referred to as over-emotional and annoying at times. How do you personally perceive Mikesh? Do you relate to him in real life too? 

I perceive Mikesh as this person who is naive to the basic level of corruption that is required to survive in today’s time. He sees the world very differently. For him, life is a fairy tale and he’s living it. We’re all as emotional and annoying as him; we just know how to hide it, and he doesn’t feel 

the need to do that. I relate to him on many levels, I’d like to be like him in life, but I guess, I’m too shrewd and corrupt to do that.

How do you adhere to the idea of ‘nice man’, as referred to by your onscreen permanent roommate, Tanya?