Sumeet Vyas on highs and lows of being an actor: ‘You don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel’

Q. You have worked across TV, films, OTT, and theatre. Which medium do you prefer the most and why?

Sumeet Vyas: If you’ve been a theatre actor, returning to it is the most pleasurable experience. Theatre is an actor’s medium. It has been my school since I was 17—and now I’m pretty old. Much of my education has happened through theatre, whether in arts, history, politics, or science. I research and read extensively while preparing for roles, which teaches me new things. It genuinely contributed a lot to my overall growth as a human. That’s why theatre is addictive.

Acting for OTT, films, or cameras is fun too, but a different kind of fun. It’s like comparing ice cream to pasta—both delicious but very different tastes. When acting for the screen, the camera comes to you, it takes care of capturing emotions, allowing you to go deeper. In theatre, you take the content to the audience. It’s your responsibility to ensure the last person in the last row experiences the play as much as the person in the front. That’s the technical difference.

Q. How vital is theatre in your journey? And what does Saanp Seedhi with Aadyam theatre mean to you?

Sumeet Vyas: Theatre has been an integral part of my life. Saanp Seedhi is special because it’s an adaptation of Sleuth, a classic I’ve wanted to do for nearly 20 years. I first came across the script two decades ago, but it didn’t materialise. Ten years ago, it came my way again, but for some reason, we couldn’t stage it.

This time, I’m thrilled that Akash Khurana is adapting it. I love his sensibility and take on Sleuth. Plus, I get to work with Kumud Mishra and Shubrojyoti Barat—my oldest friends and seniors. Their relationship with me is paternal (though they would strongly disagree!). I have known them for close to 25 years now. Shubrojyoti and I have known each other since 2000; we used to work in a theatre company before, and even did plays outside the company. So, it feels like coming home. That makes this play even more special.

 

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Q. You recently turned director. Tell us about that experience.

Sumeet Vyas: Yes, my recent directorial Raat Jawaan Hai was a series for Sony LIV. I had directed plays before, but never for the camera. It was a thoroughly exhausting but enjoyable experience. Directing a large show comes with major responsibility—there’s money at stake, and nearly 250 people depend on your decisions. I really enjoyed that. I directed Purane Chawal, a play, right before this series, so the contrast in responsibilities was stark. But it was lovely.

Q. As an actor, what do you seek in a character before saying yes to it? Did Saanp Seedhi offer you something distinct?

Sumeet Vyas: I always seek some risk in a role. If there’s a chance I might fail, that means it will challenge me—and that’s the only way I grow. If I keep doing what has worked before, I’ll stagnate. Thankfully, Saanp Seedhi offers that challenge. The transition from the first half to the second is fascinating. I’m trying something new—experimenting with a different voice and physicality. I hope it resonates with the audience.

Q. Every profession has highs and lows. How do you handle the tough phases? Does theatre serve as a creative escape?

Sumeet Vyas: I don’t use theatre as a creative escape. I don’t know how others do it. I have done theatre at my lowest lows. It’s probably not the best financial decision, as theatre doesn’t pay much; it’s definitely not something you should fall back on if you are not doing well financially or professionally. From 2000 to 2015, I never went a year without doing a new play. Theatre was my main work, and whatever I did in television or film was just to earn enough to keep doing theatre. In the last decade, my focus has shifted to cinema and web series, but I’ve longed to return to the stage. That’s why I did Purane Chawal last year and now Saanp Seedhi. I hope to balance both better moving forward.

Shubhrajyoti Barat, Sumeet Vyas and Kumud Mishra. (PR handout)

Q. Has being an actor—the pressure, failures, limelight—ever impacted your mental health?

Sumeet Vyas: Not because of the need to look a certain way, but acting itself is a scary profession. I chose acting as my primary profession. The highs are really high, and they are lovely, and they feel like this is how it will always be. The lows are really low––you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. So, it does take a toll.

What I have discovered in my 25-year journey is that I have always been deeply invested in the craft of acting. I love to act. I may not love myself enough, but I love playing characters. It’s therapeutic—it allows me to escape myself and think like someone else. That is therapy for me. That is catharsis for me.

Q. What’s the most physically or mentally challenging thing you’ve done for a role?

Sumeet Vyas: I’ve had to lose weight for certain roles, but I’m generally a disciplined actor. I haven’t gained weight for a role yet, but I’m open to it. People assume physical transformations are the hardest, but the mental and emotional toll of a role can be tougher. If you’re genuinely invested in a character, you trick your brain into believing in their world—their relationships, problems, emotions. When I was younger, I could immerse myself in roles for a month at a stretch, and it would affect me deeply. My wife could probably tell you if I’ve become a healthier person to be around or if I’m still just as insane.

Q. What does your daily diet and fitness routine look like? Do you have cheat days?

Sumeet Vyas: I’m quite disciplined—maybe even boring—with my routine. I eat my last meal early and fast for 14 to 16 hours. I work out four to five times a week, though my schedule sometimes disrupts that––like right now, I am doing this play, and we are rehearsing till late. I don’t have cheat days. If I feel like eating something, I eat it—but in moderation. If I overdo it, like having too many sweets or drinks, I make up for it by being stricter the following week.

 

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Q. In the age of social media, what is the most challenging thing about being an actor?

Sumeet Vyas: The fact that actors are cast based on follower counts rather than skill. It is quite sad. If social media follows determined talent, then the biggest influencers would be the biggest actors—but that’s not the case.

People may turn up at malls or stadiums to see an actor, but that doesn’t mean they’ll watch their films. If a film isn’t good, audiences won’t sit through it. Today, with so many entertainment options, quality matters more than popularity. If what you got is not worth people’s time then they are not going to watch you no matter how popular you are on social media.

Q. How important is social media for you? Does it influence your work, especially in theatre, where audience engagement works differently than in OTT or films?

Sumeet Vyas: Social media isn’t important to me at all. As a species, we have lost half our minds to it—including me. I use it to promote my work and keep myself relevant because it helps me with my media work. But, I don’t let it consume my time. I made a schedule — at night, scroll for 30-45 minutes and then stop. I have other things — I prefer reading, watching films, listening to audiobooks, or playing tennis. These keep me engaged far more.