Interview with Susheel Singh, who portrays Singhasan Singh’s character in &TV’s Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein

Varanasi native and a well-known Bhojpuri actor, Susheel Singh, has come a long way in the entertainment industry. His portrayal of the cunning father-in-law, Singhasan Singh in & TV’s Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein, has been getting him a lot of appreciation from viewers across his homeland and around the country. Susheel talks about his acting journey, his current role and much more. 

•    How has been your journey in the TV industry so far?
•    I have been a part of the entertainment industry for many years. I have worked in Bhojpuri films earlier and a few regional ones. To sum up, I have worked in close to seventy-five films. Honestly, the recognition and appreciation that I have received as Singhasan Singh is tremendous and has made me a household name today. I am grateful to Rashmi Ji and her team for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful show and casting me for this role. It is a negative and villainous character, but I have thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it and learnt a lot as an actor. I started with absolutely no background in acting but had only one dream to entertain people like my idol, Kamal Hassan. I have always been greatly influenced and inspired by Kamal Hassan’s acting prowess and versatility in his characters. 

•    Tell us about your role in the show? 
•    I portray the role of Singhasan Singh, Indresh’s (Ashish Kadian) father. He is loyal towards his family and cannot bear any intruder ruining relations. Be it his daughter-in-law Swati (Tanvi Dogra), who he sees as an outsider. He has never been in favour of Indresh marrying Swati and has not accepted her as his daughter-in-law. He detests Swati and always looking for ways to find faults in her, create obstacles and break her marriage with Indresh, eventually cutting her off from his life completely. He will go to any lengths to separate her from Indresh. The tension between him and Swati has caused much havoc in the house and Indresh’s life. Only recently, Singhasan Singh’s old flame, Laila (Ridhiema Tiwari), joined the family, and together, they created more hurdles for the happy couple. 

•    You have interestingly played many grey characters in the past. Do you prefer playing a villain? 
•    I have portrayed a lot of grey and negative characters in my career. They appeal a lot to me, and I have always enjoyed those as it gives plenty of room to experiment and showcase one’s acting prowess. I am fond of playing grey shades and always have happy to get an opportunity to play a villainous role. A villain plays just as much of a significant role as that of a protagonist. Even more so, when you think of the hurdles a character like mine brings to the table, the story itself can take a 360-degree turn depending on a villain’s actions. Playing a villain is exciting and challenging. It allows one to explore. There are multiple layers in which it can be embodied, allowing the actor to add his/her creative inputs. Although to be a versatile actor, one must be open to all kinds of roles. 

•    How would you define your relationship with the cast on and off-screen?
•    After spending nearly two years with the cast, it feels as though we are related to each other in blood. We behave like one big joint family, and now living with them makes it all the more real. Our lunch breaks are elaborate and often ends in laughs and giggles, enjoying each other’s food. My bond with my on-screen son Indresh is cherished and unmatched, quite like our real-life bond. Ashish and I both respect each other as actors and have very similar personalities. We are introverts and being around him is a comfortable space. On the other hand, Swati is someone Singhasan Singh loves to hate! But Tanvi is an absolute gem of a person, and she is sensitive, jolly, and highly talented. Very humble when you speak to her and makes everyone feel very welcome. She is full of life and does not miss the opportunity to make videos and reels. One can never say no to her!  

•    How does it feel to be shooting in Silvassa?
•    It is an absolute treat! Work feels like a vacation to me now. The scenery is so pleasing, the air is much calmer, and the people are very kind. I have been shooting with the team, following strict protocols to ensure everyone is safe. Our safety is within our own hands. We have been advised to remain within the perimeters of the shoot location and avoid stepping out in the open completely. 

•    Varanasi is a quaint city as compared to Mumbai, which do you prefer?
•    During the lockdown, I went back home to my native – Varanasi. I went home to meet my family after a long time. We rarely get the chance to meet each other since I moved to Mumbai. While my work requires me to travel, my roots are intact. Not a day goes by that I do not miss the beautiful city. It is a land of god, and everyone there is very devoted and peaceful. Going back home brings me to reminisce the old days when I roam the streets as a teenager. Even when I am in Mumbai, I am reminded of my hometown, given the show premises set in Varanasi, which takes me back to my hometown. I carry memories of my home with me wherever I go.