Aman Verma: From struggles to stardom
Piyush Roy (HT Style)
Mumbai, June 20, 2006
A decade ago, on June 20, 1996, Aman Verma, another struggling actor came to Mumbai, with dreams and an ambition to make it big.
Today, he ranks among the leading actors on television, among the few 'good men', who has managed to secure a place for himself in the plethora of family sagas.
After a brief sabbatical (from serials, discounting cameos in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin and Ek Ladki Anjaani Si), he returns to TV in a meaty role as cool, scheming businessman Rishabh Lamba in Ravi Chopra's (he was last seen in the Chopras' Sampurna Mahabharat as Karna's son Vrishketu) Viraasat.
In a candid tte--tte, he talks about his many images. ; ;
Aman's roster Pachpan Khambe Lal Deewarein: Pitted against Mita Vashist Verma's charm came close to that of Shah Rukh Khan in Fauji Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhie Bahu Thi: As Anupam Kapadia, he kept Tulsi Virani's love track going in the absence of the popular Mihir Virani (Amarr Upadhyay) Dushman: Inspired by Jeffrey Archer's Kane and Abel Kehta Hai Dil: As honest cop Aditya Pratap he won awards too. Indian Idol: One of the few TV actors to court success as a show host |
I play a successful businessman, Rishabh Lamba, who wants power, fame, and money, apart from undoing the wrong that he perceives his brother has done, by marrying their rival's daughter.
So, he ends up rubbing a lot of people the wrong way. I have really worked hard on my character.
So much so, that not only do I rehearse my lines but also my costars' lines. The way he speaks is one of the highlights of Rishabh Lamba.
Any traces of Aman Verma in Rishabh Lamba?
When it comes to facing adversities, I am like Rishabh in real life too. The cool aggression in Rishabh is very much part of me.
He won't get hassled by anything. Like him, even in my most vulnerable moments, I don't let my distress show in my public conduct.
This way nobody will ever be able to differentiate my weak moment from a strong one.
What according to you is the USP of Viraasat?
For a change, women are not calling the shots in this serial and thank god for that. The USP lies in its well-written dialogues by Anand Vardhan, who has done a fantastic job.
There seems to be a spurt in negative roles in your CV of late
Well, I was the first to play the devil (Devi) on TV. Of late, some of my memorable roles have had grey shades like Kumkum, where I play a guy besotted by his friend's wife and Kalash, where I play husband to two sisters.
I take it as a great compliment when people say that with my face and build I can carry off a character with grey shades. These roles allow me to do more as an actor, than playing those Mr Goody-two-shoes characters. It's the hunger to hone my talent that keeps me going and experimenting with various roles.
You have also emerged as the media's favourite whipping boy? How do you tackle that?
It's amazing how the media picks up on everything that I do or say. But the more you pick on me or hurt me, the greater will be my resolve to come back.
I believe in the saying, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. You complete 10 years in Mumbai today.
How has the transition been of the boy from Noida to a successful Mumbaikar?
I have no love lost for the city. This is the only place in the country where you can come absolutely raw, with nothing, no money, no work, no contacts, no godfather, and end up making something out of your life.
But for that to happen, you have to be really dedicated and ready to work hard. The city nurtures and respects ambitious and hardworking people.
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