Mohit Parmar talks about his hit TV show Pandya Store and success
By Asjad NazirDec 08, 2022
The popularity of Pandya Store has seen the hit drama serial pull in big audience numbers since it premiered in January 2021.
The relatable Star Plus family drama, which is fast approaching 600 episodes, has made a strong connection with cross-generational audiences. The show has also given a great platform to young talents like Mohit Parmar, who has excelled in his debut series and gained a strong fan following.
Eastern Eye caught up with the rising star to speak about his Pandya Store journey so far, future hopes, and what success means to him.
What has the experience of working at Pandya Store been like?
My journey till now in Pandya Store has been incredible. From the moment I started working in the show, I have learned so many things from it and made many new relationships with such nice people. Also, people have started knowing me personally, so the Pandya Store experience to date has been a learning experience, and an amazing journey until now.
Why do you think Pandya Store has been so loved?
The main unique selling point is that it’s a family-oriented show, about the love of family and how they support each other through bad times. The show beautifully comes under the emotional comedy genre. The family drama aspect works well for the show.
What is it like working with such a big and talented cast?
This is my first serial. I felt so happy when I was offered this show because my co-artists are so talented. They have been doing good work in the industry for a very long time. It’s a privilege sharing a platform with them. I am learning a lot from them. They are very nice as actors, and also away from work. They show me so much love. The incredible journey with them has enabled me to learn and experience a lot of new things in life. Observing them work and seeing how they are in life inspired me to follow that path to achieve success.
What is your acting master plan going forward?
I just want to do good projects in the future, like I am doing now. I want to do unique work that makes me stand out from the crowd and inspires people. Also, an actor should keep their minds open to learning new things, so they can implement it into their upcoming acting projects. I feel optimistic about my future and think I will get a unique role in a web show or movie that can create a huge impact on society and win the hearts of audiences.
Do you have a dream role?
My dream role is to do something like a Harry Potter film or any superhero role. I want a chance to do a lot of action and portray a grey character or a villain role. Also, the role should be challenging and opposite to what my character is in real life.
If you could learn something new, what would it be?
I love to fly so much, but God has not given me any wings. So, I want to learn paragliding, to fly high and alone. I also want to learn horse riding, sword fighting, and every other new thing that comes into my life.
What inspires you as an actor?
Being able to mould myself into a particular character and finding surprising elements about them is inspiring. Playing (Pandya Store character) Krish enables me to transform myself from my Mohit Parmar personality. It’s fun and gives me a chance to learn so many things. Learning a new thing in life and work is the most inspiring thing.
What does success mean to you?
Success for me is when my parents and the people from the place I belong to feel proud of me. Success is meeting expectations of fans and audiences, who appreciate my work and see me as their idol. I want to also become a success, to give a good direction to youth in society, and inspire them, just as the likes of Mahatma Gandhiji, Ratan Tata, and Narendra Modi have done. Achieving small goals, spending time with my family, without worrying about my future, and having mental peace are also success, according to me. So, it’s a big term for me and hard to fully define.
AN ASIAN writer has explained how his new book makes Britain’s imperial past “accessible, engaging and thought-provoking” for a younger audience.
Award-winning author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera’s new book, Journeys of Empire, explores empire through 10 journeys he described as being “extraordinary”. Sanghera said his book, published last month by Puffin UK, is “a way of helping children understand how Britain’s biggest story still shapes the world today.”
“We’re not taught this history very well,” he told Eastern Eye.
“The empire is morally complex – sometimes we were good, sometimes bad – so, how do you even begin talking about it? It’s also contentious. There are millions of us whose families were colonised, and millions whose families were the colonisers.”
Teachers cannot teach what they themselves were never taught, Sanghera pointed out.
“There are multiple layers to why British people are so bad at talking about this history. It touches on race, misogyny and geopolitics. It’s easier just not to talk about it.”
And , the cover of his book
Following the success of his bestselling children’s title Stolen History, Sanghera’s this latest work continues Sanghera’s mission to write for readers aged nine and above. With a focus on human experiences, Sanghera said he wanted show that history is not just a list of dates or conquests – it’s a tapestry of stories that connect people.
Born in Wolverhampton to Punjabi immigrant parents, he began school unable to speak English. Later he graduated with first-class honours in English language and literature from Christ’s College, Cambridge.
He has since built a career as a writer and journalist.
His memoir, The Boy with the Topknot, and his novel, Marriage Material, were both shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards. Empireland, Sanghera’s exploration of Britain’s colonial legacy, was longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non- Fiction, named a Book of the Year at the 2022 National Book Awards, and inspired the Channel 4 documentary series Empire State of Mind.
His first children’s book, Stolen History, introduced young readers to the complex and often overlooked realities of empire. With Journeys of Empire, Sanghera aims to go further. “When I finally learned about the British empire, it changed how I saw myself, how I saw Britain, and how I saw India,” he said.
“It seemed obvious that you’d want to give this gift to young people – because your 40s is a bit late to be learning all this.”
Sanghera said the 10 journeys in the book take readers across continents and centuries, revealing both the ambition and the brutality of empire.
“The British empire covered a quarter of the world’s surface and a large portion of its population. It was seven times the size of the Roman empire,” he said.
Aiming to ensure diversity in both perspective and geography, Sanghera said he chose stories from various countries and different phases of the 400-year history.
Alongside India and Mahatma Gandhi, readers will learn about Guyana’s indentured labour system, Gertrude Bell’s adventures in Iraq, and the British invasion of Tibet led by Francis Younghusband.
“I wanted to highlight areas often left out of mainstream narratives,” the writer said. The stories are written with an accessible and honest tone, and with humour.
“Violence is a tricky area,” Sanghera said. “You can’t go into graphic detail, but you also shouldn’t whitewash it. The violence and racism of colonialism were intrinsic. “I tried to strike a balance - acknowledging the brutality without overwhelming young readers.”
Writing for children isn’t much different from writing for adults, Sanghera said.
“You still need engaging stories and to hold attention. The main thing is to avoid big words that might put them off.”
He pointed out how storytelling can counter the allure of digital screens.
“Kids are addicted to screens, and reading rates are falling globally. That’s disastrous for mental health, intellectual development, and politics,” he said.
“When you get news from screens, you’re in an echo chamber – you’re not being challenged or taught to think in a nuanced way.”
Sanghera’s hope is that stories of Journeys of Empire – from pirates to princes and explorers to rebels – will draw in young readers to a world of curiosity and reflection. He said, “The British empire is a complex story. Even the ‘good guys’ had flaws. That’s what makes it worth understanding.”
At the heart of his book is a message about complexity and contradiction. “The empire involved slavery and the abolition of slavery. It caused environmental destruction and inspired environmentalism. We live in a world that struggles with nuance, but that’s what makes us human,” Sanghera said.
“My hope is that readers – kids and adults – learn that opposite things can be true at the same time.”
After six years of writing about empire, Sanghera said he’s ready for a change. His next book will focus on the late pop star George Michael, due out in June next year.
“I thought George Michael would be a nice break from empire. But then I learned that his father came from Cyprus - which was under British rule. The reason he left Cyprus was because of the British. So, even George Michael’s story connects back to empire. You can’t escape it, wherever you go.”
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