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.
Adrian Lester, best known for his work on television and film, returns to the stage in the eponymous role of Edmond Rostand's 1898 comedy, Cyrano de Bergerac.
Rostland’s play centres around Cyrano - a little-known romantic 17th century French libertine poet, soldier, and philosopher. The play is based partly on his letters written on behalf of his love rival Christian de Neuvillette as he tries to charm Cyrano’s cousin, Roxanne with whom Cyrano is also in love.
Cyrano is cursed with an overt self-consciousness in the form of a large nose. His insecurity is such that he prohibits anyone to refer to it directly or indirectly. Together with his wit, his skills as a swordsman, and the directorial splattering of our own vernacular, they provide the play with a certain infectious - albeit teenage - humour.
Despite Cyrano unexpressed love for Roxanne, the latter has fallen for Christian who is handsome, but useless when it comes to expressing his feelings in words. But then, he is also useless as a swordsman and clearly no match for Cyrano’s mastery and maturity. Realising this and being utterly selfless, Cyrano offers his help to the youthful Christian to woo Roxanne by writing for him poetic and hyperbolic proclamations of love and longing. All he wants is Roxanne to be happy even if he himself has to do with nursing a broken heart.
Christian Patterson and Levi BrownMarc Brenner
The result is a farce of the highest order and mistaken identity, coupled with threat and violence
This RSC production is directed by Simon Evans who has provided a very lively and engaging interpretation by all accounts. Apart from a skilled, highly polished ensemble of cast, there’s interesting theatricality at work. Every now and then, for instance, one gets a sense that the stage is a reflection of our own world and vice versa. Characters mingle with the audience, they break the fourth wall, and the theatre band wander around with the characters and referred to with some bemusement and fun.
In a 17th century French world – not unlike our own, 21st century – external beauty, speech, language are prized. Expression has become almost secondary. It’s a world in which fakery, deception and lies are paced above sincerity, honesty, and truth. Looks and external beauty outweigh the inner beauty of man.
Evans removes the original piece from its French setting to England, littering it with a Brummie accent, and accentuating our preconceptions about hopeless romantics and those with meaningless verbiage. The effect is one of joyous atmosphere and true entertainment.
Adrian Lester provides a magnificent performance as the wordsmith, Cyrano. His character is verbose, comedic, and sympathetic in equal measures. Lester is enticing, hilarious and – judging by the reaction of the audience –appreciated as a versatile actor who can do comedy just as well as drama. Levi Brown’s Christian is a fiery - overtly hopeless - romantic who cannot paint his feelings into words. Brown gives a very energetic and magnetic performance. Similarly, Susannah Fielding provides a sprightly Roxanne who is heart-warming and an utter pleasure to watch.
Adrian Lester (front right) and companyMarc Brenner
It’s hard not to notice but as an audience, we are invited to consider the value of language that may sound romantic, but may – in actual fact – be little more than a shallow expression of fancy. Whereas, the seemingly absence of language – though painfully inadequate - may actually embody real sincerity and the true meaning of love.
Whatever you may think, one thing is certain: you will enjoy this production. It’s a real treat.
The play started at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in early September, with its run lasting until 15th November.
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
(Cyrano de Bergerac is playing at the RSC Stratford until 15th November 2025.)
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