Ssumier Pasricha disembarked on his illustrious career as an actor with the hit daily soap ‘Sasural Simar Ka’, later he went on to become a sensation with his character Pammi Aunty. Today as the actor completes a decade in the industry, he is ready to take the giant leap to the big screen with ‘Chandigarh Kare Ashiqui’. Directed by Abhishek Kapur with Ayushmann Khurrana and Vani Kapoor as leads, the movie is set to throng the cinemas on 10th December. Let’s get you up close and personal with Ssumier who marks his debut in Bollywood with this much awaited movie.
When did you know you wanted to be an actor ?
It took me a while to realize that my passion was acting, after finishing my MBA the plan was to take up a regular corporate job or joining my family business. However, I was always doing theater on the side and I soon realized that acting was my true calling. It was at the age of 30 when I decided to take the plunge and move to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting.
What according to you has been the turning point in your career ?
It has got to be Pammi Aunty, I got acknowledged for my work as Pammi globally. I was doing a lot of theater, TV commercials and daily soaps but nothing caught the viewers attention as my character of Pammi Aunty. That is when people in the industry also started taking me seriously and I started getting more meaningful roles.
How instrumental has Pammi Aunty been in your journey so far ?
Pammi Aunty has been extremely instrumental as it got me fame and appreciation worldwide. Pammi Aunty has given me the identity and stature that every actor desires for. It opened a lot of doors for me and people started taking me and my work seriously.
Do you think that Ssumier Pasricha has lost his sheen to the charm and wits of Pammi Aunty ?
Well, initially even I was in this dilemma that I was losing my sheen to the character of Pammi Aunty. However, i soon realized that I created the character myself so I can’t be envious to the popularity of Pammi Aunty. At the end of the day I am brain behind the character, hence I made peace with it.
View this post on Instagram
Television, web series, social media and now the big screen, how does it feel ?
It has been a long journey, however the big screen does bring with it a lot of encouragement for me to keep improvising. I am doing just a cameo in Chandigarh Kare Ashiqui however I believe that this is just the beginning and I am already in talks for other projects. However I would not like to limit myself to the big screen, I am open to work on all platforms if my role is substantial and I am satisfied creatively.
How was your experience of working with industry veterans like Ayushman Khurrana and Abhishek Kapur ?
Ayushmann is an amazing human being, I still fondly remember our first meeting on the set. I did not have the courage to approach him, however he took the initiative and made the effort of breaking the ice. He is extremely hardworking yet very humble, you can sit and chat with him about anything under the sun. He makes you feel extremely comfortable, he is also very dedicated and focused on his work which I immensely respect about him.
I did not get a lot of time with Abhishek Kapur as I had a lot of lines to learn and deliver as a part of my role. However, on set he was very dedicated and serious about work. He knows exactly what he wants in each scene and makes sure to interpret the same to his cast so that it reflects on the screen as well. Event during the dubbing, he was extremely particular about getting the tone right. He has a peculiar smile which he gives when you enact the way he wants and you know that you don’t need another take. On a whole I would say that it was an experience of a lifetime working with both of them.
You have completed a decade as an actor, what according to you has helped you carve a niche for yourself.
Yes, I complete 10 years on 6th December as an actor. I feel that I am yet to carve that niche for myself as an actor, I am still exploring different genres. I feel I will be able to answer this question better ten years down the line. Currently I am trying to adapt and fit in to different genres and prove myself and my ability as an actor and not just a comic actor with Pammi Aunty.
Tell us more about your future projects.
I am in talks for a couple of projects and hopefully I will be announcing something very soon, some of the interesting projects I was in talks with had got stalled due to the pandemic so I am awaiting the resuming of the same.
Please tell us more about your new found love for singing. How has the response been to your recently released devotional songs ?
The response towards my devotional songs has been amazing, people want me to keep recording more bhajans which is very motivating. I love this genre and it comes naturally to me as I have been surrounded by it while growing up. It’s a great market which is not explored by a lot of people so I decided to venture into it. 
