Name: Pankaj Sharma

Job Profile: Actor

Sun Sign: Cancer, 10 July 1976

Educational Experience
I'm originally from Bombay. After I finished my schooling, I went to Delhi and did my graduation from Hindu College. I haven't done any professional course in acting, just attended a month's acting workshop in college where professionals from the National School of Drama (NSD) taught us the basics.

Professional Experience
When I was in Delhi, I worked in a serial called School Days, which aired on DD1. I came back to Bombay since my parents were based here.

I got an opportunity to work in serials and there began my serious career as an actor. I've worked in Amaanat, Sanjhi, Aan which aired on Zee TV. Then I also worked in a serial called Daddy Samjha Karo (Sab TV) and Bazaar which aired on DD1.

I've also done a few commercials like an ad for Coke which airs only in south east Asian countries. I've featured in ads for brands like Close Up, Frooti, Fortune Oil, Pizza Corner and Rediff.com.

Currently, I'm not doing any serials. I'm working in two movies right now but it's too early to talk about either of them and I don't want to disclose any names. One of the movies is a college based story and has newcomers in it. I play the main lead wherein I'm narrating throughout the movie. It's a very fresh movie.

Television as career choice
I was always very actively involved in stage shows during my school days. I had a keen interest in acting and always wanted to make a career of it and hence I am here.

Current television scenario
Currently the serials that are aired on television are all women oriented serials. There is hardly any scope for a man to perform. We become mere property in these serials and don't have any acting options.

But hopefully things will change. There are a few good serials on Sahara TV which are different from the cliched serials that are shown today. So things will get better.

Five years from now On top of the charts !! Hope to see my posters hanging on the bedroom walls of all the girls!!

Well....on a more serious note, I am open to doing serials but I want to give myself four or five months to sink into the film industry and get familiar with it. At the end of the day my aim is to make it big in the industry.

Hobbies
I like swimming and playing snooker. Since my dad has been associated with the Indian Navy, I have tried all types of adventure sports like scuba diving, para sailing etc, but I wouldn't call it as a hobby because I don't do it on a regular basis.

Idea of enjoyment
I love going out with friends and chilling out. I basically am a person who does my own thing and I'm happy doing just that !

Name: Nisha Sareen Job

Profile : Actor

Sun Sign: Sagittarius,    12 December 1979

Educational Experience
I've done my B.A. (Economics & Sociology) from St Xavier's College. Then I went to New York and did an acting course from The School for Film and Television and also from Weist Baron. I've learnt dancing from the Broadway Dance School.

After coming back to India, I joined the Kishore Namit School of Acting and also the Shakur Sheik Dance School. Everyone in the film industry from Hrithik Roshan to Vivek Oberoi have learnt dance from him!! He's the best.

Professional Experience
I have done a lot of theater since I was six years old. I was actively involved in it right through school. The credit goes to my mom because she has always been involved with theater. She has a theater school called SPEED which stands for "Speech Personality Evolution through Educational Dramakinetics," and I have trained under her.

I played the character of Mother Teresa in a play called God Is My Banker. The play portrayed her life from childhood till death. It was a great experience to play a young girl and a dying old lady in the same play.

Then I also played the part of Beauty in a play called Beauty and the Beast. Both these plays were under the banner of my mother's theater school.

The other plays that I have enacted in, are Rendezvous with Guess Who and My Best Friend's Wedding, which is directed by producer-director-actor Sundeep Sikaand.

My last performance was at the Abby Awards where we enacted a spoof on all the ads. It was a great experience.

On television I'm doing Deepti Bhatnagar's daily soap Kabhi Aaye Na Judai which airs on Star Plus. I play the character of a girl called Raveena who does not believe in salwaar kameez and sarees. She's a hard-core American return with tank-tops and spaghettis and a whole lot of attitude!!

I have also shot a pilot for Gurudev Bhalla's Rishto Ki Dori, which will be aired on Sony. The shooting for the serial should begin by the end of April.

Five years ago I started teaching the students at my mom's theater school SPEED and I really enjoy it.

Theater & television as career choices
Acting has always been in my blood. I was exposed to a lot of theater since childhood because of my mom. Theater is my life and I am very passionate about my work.

One thing that I believe in is that if you enjoy doing something you are definitely going to make a success of it. And I really enjoy acting.

Current Television scenario
Well, honestly the current television scenario has nothing new to offer. The same saas-bahu dramas are being shown on television these days and believe you me it's not going to work in the long run. You can't fool the Indian audience by showing them such dramas. The Indian woman is not as weak as is portrayed in these serials and I don't think any woman relates to the characters shown in such soaps.

Television is such a huge medium and has so much scope for performance, especially for new actors. There are so many talented actors in the industry right now but they need the right kind of role because for actors, serials are the best way to grow and also show their potential.

Right and wrong about current television scenario
There is a dearth of good stories in the industry. We NEED good stories and more intellectual growth. But sadly, it's not happening.

Indian women are not weak and mean like they are shown on most of the soaps aired on television today. They are not submissive to their husbands' atrocities like is shown. That needs to change.

I will never choose a role in which I don't believe. I don't think I can see myself playing the saas-bahu kind of roles. The characters of Tulsi and Parvati are definitely very popular and they have gained immense fame and popularity, but I'd rather not do those kind of roles. Fame, money and popularity are important for me but not at the cost of doing what I don't believe in.

I'm acting today because I love it and it's a passion.

Five years from now
Five years down the line I see myself extremely happy in what I'm doing. I want to be a great actress and it's always been my funda since I was a kid that I will work only in serials or movies that are in the A+ category... nothing less!

Hobbies
I absolutely love dancing and teaching kids in my mom's theater school. I enjoy singing and have trained to play the harmonium. Books are also my passion. My favourite authors are Danielle Steel and John Grisham.

Idea of enjoyment
My idea of enjoyment is being with people who I vibe with. My friends and family fall in that category.

I'm a very adaptable and flexible kind of person. I can mould myself to the kind of people around me. I love meeting and interacting with people because I believe that that's how one keeps growing.

I am definitely not a loner and I'm extremely restless. I need to be around people all the time. That's my idea of enjoyment!!

Educational Experience
I've done my schooling from Modern School Vasant Vihar in Delhi. I did my B.A. through correspondence as I came to Bombay after I completed my twelfth.

Professional Experience
I came to Bombay in '93. I was lucky to get my first break soon after I came here in the form of Banegi Apni Baat (BAB), where I played the character of Rahul. The serial went on for five years and I shot for about 320 episodes. BAB was my major break. Then I did a serial called Maan for Channel 9 and Love Marriage for Zee TV. At present I am doing a serial called Kumkum which airs on Star Plus.

I have also done around 12-13 music videos. Hans Raj Hans'Chorni, Sardol Sikander's Haiya Ho, Sukhdev's Kudi India Ki and Dil Hindustani Ho Gaya are some of them. I have also done a lot of Punjabi remixes. I believe music videos are show reels. The serve as a platform to show people that you can sing and dance and are a great medium to display your potential and be noticed.

I have also done three Tamil movies called Monisha en Lisa (Monalisa), Edium (Heart) and Irrieldium Kadam (One-sided love). There is another Telugu film which is under production.

I have just completed shooting for Ram Gopal Verma's production Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, which has been directed by Chandan Arora (who recently got the Star Screen Award for Best Editing for the movie Company). I play a central character in this situational comedy which revolves around three people. The other star cast include Rajpal Yadav and Antara Mali.

I'm really excited about this movie. The TV and theater promotions will start around the third week of April and the movie is scheduled for release on 20 June.

Television as career choice
I was always interested in drama and arts since childhood. My passion for acting got me to Bombay (I'm basically a Delhi boy!).

The most important factor was my parents' support. I had their full backing and they told me to go ahead with what I wanted to do. I'm here because of them and their support.

Current Television scenario
Television has done wonders to the careers of a lot of people. It has revived a lot many actors who had faded away with time. Aspiring young actors have got immediate exposure due to the medium of television.

There is so much work in the industry right now and if a person is good, he or she can really come up.

Right and wrong about current television scenario
As I already said, the good thing about the current television scenario is that there is a lot of work in the industry, which gives aspiring actors a chance to show their talent and make a mark for themselves.

The bad thing is that there is a huge burnout factor in this medium. If actors don't control themselves in terms of their work, they can be washed out from the industry. So an actor has to choose the right kind of roles and also not be repetitive in the type of characters he or she plays, only then will they be able to reach greater heights.

Five years from now
Right on the top in terms of work!! I will surely have made a mark for myself in the film industry. I also see myself very happy and content with life.

Hobbies
I love driving and listening to music (simultaneously of course!!). I have a passion for cars and music is a must in my car !

Idea of enjoyment
To be happy is a mental state of mind; it is a very relative term. Sometimes the smallest of things can make me happy. I believe that to be happy in life, one needs to avoid negativity and have a healthy outlook to life.

Name: Abir Goswami

Job Profile: Actor

Sun Sign: Aries, 14th April 1975

Educational Experience
My elementary education was from different places throughout India like Bihar, Nagpur and Rajasthan due to the nature of my father's job requirements.

I've done my MBA (marketing) from Lala Lajpath Rai Institute.

Professional Experience
After I did my MBA I worked for Videocon in the Internal Audit Department for three months. Then I worked for Indian Express Group in the Circulation Department that managed events and promotions. After that I moved on to BPL Mobile and worked there as an Assistant Manager in the Corporate Sales Department.

Being very passionate about acting, I did theater when I got the opportunity. My first play was Basant Ki Raat Mein which was directed by Bhupen Deshmukh. I started my stint in television in the year 2000, but for the first four months there was no work and like any other newcomer I was making the rounds of the offices of the producers and channels.

TV serials: I got my first break from the serial Aahat. I also did a couple of other serials like Daddy Samjha Karo and CID. Presently I'm working in Kittie Party and Miit. I've also played small roles in serials like Kkusum, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kamal, Manthan (Neena Gupta Productions), Parchaiyaan (Sahara TV), Aasha Ki Kiran (ETV). I got a lot of recognition with a negative character I played in Kabhi Sautan Kabhi Saheli.

Feature films: I played the character of Phanindranath Ghosh in Raj Kumar Santoshi's The Legend of Bhagat Singh. Initially I was chosen to play the character of Ajay Ghosh but the makers found a more suitable look alike of the character and hence I was given to play the character of a freedom fighter who turns traitor. I was a little apprehensive to play a negative role in a period film but in the end it all turned out well for me.

I've just completed shooting for Ram Gopal Verma Production's Darna Mana Hai, directed by Praval Pandey. The movie is in its post-production stages and will hit the theaters in April.

Television as career choice
A career in television today is very tough. Those days of stardom have gone and it's not like it was before. Now with more and more channels and production houses coming up there is no dearth of people entering the industry. I am an MBA but I was always interested in acting and it's only because of that passion for acting that I am where I am and not in an office behind a desk.

Current Television scenario
I have been in this industry for the last two years or so and I can't remember any bad experience as such till date with anybody in the industry. At the end of the day I have always got my money. Sometimes it may come late but it comes for sure. Gayatri Telesoft, Neo-Films, Balaji Telefilms are a few good paymasters. Everyone is very cooperative.

Right and wrong about current television scenario
In this industry where there are highly talented people, there are also hordes of short- sighted and egoistic people. And because of them the deserving people don't get their due and recognition. There are many good and talented makers but again they are not getting a break because of the monopoly of some.

The position that I am in today, frankly, there is nothing I can do. At present my primary concern is to carve a niche for myself in this industry and work my way towards establishing myself in this industry. One has to be in a position of power to bring about a change. Right now, I don't think I am in that position.

Five years from now
Five years from now I want to be established as an actor and do more meaningful roles. I want people to remember me as a good actor.

Hobbies
I love playing cricket. I also enjoy singing. In fact, I have learnt classical singing. The thing I love doing the most is going away from Mumbai to a hill station with a few friends and forgetting everything else. I love watching movies and I'm a total movie buff.

Idea of enjoyment
My idea of enjoyment is being in a state where I forget myself and my work and all my problems. I love to sit with my friends and laugh and forget all worries. Also as I mentioned earlier I love to travel. That's my idea of enjoyment.

Name: Ranjeev Verma

Designation: Actor

Sun Sign: Leo, 30 July

Educational Experience
Science graduate

Professional Experience

TV serials : I have done a lot of films and television serials in my career spanning nearly a decade. Presently, I'm working on serials like Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand which airs on Star Plus and Mulk which airs on Zee TV where I play a Sardarji character. I'm also working on a new serial called Lakeerein produced by Shobhna Desai which will start airing on Star Plus in April.

Feature films : I've also done some movies, one of them being Yeh Dil Aashiqana produced by Aruna Irani. Presently, I'm working on another of Arunaji's movies called Ajnabee Ho Gaye Hum. I am also very excited about my character in the movie Aanch, where I play Nana Patekar's son. It is a negative role and one I'm looking forward to.

Television as career choice
I always thought that I was a good actor and could be successful in this field. I haven't undergone any professional training in acting but have done some theatre and plays. I have learnt from my experience in the last ten years or so that I have been this field.

Current Television scenario
The whole industry is going through a very bad phase. There is a lot of competition and expectations are very high. Currently, Zee, Sony and Star TV are doing well.The producers are also doing well.

But there needs to be some decorum in the way people work. Things seem to be messed up everywhere in the industry. But I'm sure good times are not far away.

Right and wrong about current Television scenario
There are many television channels at present and hence there is a lot of scope for new talents. A whole lot of people can get work and prove themselves as good actors. Earlier, actors only had the feature film medium to showcase their abilities. But it is not the case now with so many serials coming up on the numerous channels we have today.

Of course, the money is divided due to the monopoly of some people on the top. It's not that there is no money in this field but the money does not come to you at the end of the day or it comes very late.

I'd like to mention a particular experience here. Six months ago I shot for Ketan Mehta's Production Chacha Chowdhary which airs on Sahara TV. I was promised that I would get my remuneration as soon I finish shooting for the serial. Till today I haven't got my dues.

So this is how the state is today in the industry. It's only if these things are brought out in the open, will people know about the real situation and steps can be taken so that actors don't suffer.

Five years from now
Five years from now I can't really say where I'll be, but I hope to see myself doing a lot of different roles and be recognized as a good actor for the kind of work I did.

Hobbies
I love reading and watching TV. I like to spend as much time with my family as and when I can.

Idea of enjoyment
My idea of enjoyment is earning good money from the profession I am in and then spending it on my family and myself.