Due to social media and the overexposure of everything in today’s ecosystem, popular actors like Vikrant Massey can easily be misinterpreted: Saanand Verma

MUMBAI: Actor Saanand Verma is currently shooting the film Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, which also stars Vikrant Massey in a lead role. The journalist-turned-actor shares his thoughts on the recent controversy surrounding Vikrant Massey, whose announcement of taking a break stirred the entire nation. The unit of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is currently shooting in the mountains.

When asked about Vikrant’s acting caliber, Saanand says, "I think acting comes very naturally to him, and he has been in the industry for the last 21 years. He was seen in the popular television show Balika Vadhu, which brought him into the limelight. I really admire his work in projects like Mirzapur, 12th Fail, and Haseen Dillruba. Whatever he does, he does it from the bottom of his heart. He is a very effortless actor who knows exactly what the director wants, what the story needs, and what the scene demands."

Saanand, who has shot with Vikrant for a few days, also adds, "One of the finest and most sorted actors I have ever worked with is Vikrant Massey. I got along with him very well. He is simply an unbelievable person—always smiling. We shared many jokes off-camera and talked about acting and his incredible variety of roles. I mentioned the ease with which he performs such diverse characters, highlighting the glorious success of 12th Fail, which is considered one of the finest works by an exceptional filmmaker, Mr. Vidhu Vinod Chopra. I am extremely delighted to have had this opportunity to work with him."

There has been a lot of controversy regarding Vikrant’s announcement, which many mistook as retirement. He later clarified that he just wanted to take a break. Saanand shares his thoughts:
"Due to social media and the overexposure of everything in today’s ecosystem, popular actors like Vikrant Massey can easily be misinterpreted. His recent Instagram post was unfortunately misconstrued. The timing was slightly unfortunate because his film The Sabarmati Report released recently, and he has been riding high on success with multiple back-to-back hits. While his post clearly stated that he was taking a break until the time felt right, many people assumed he was retiring.

This misinterpretation partly arose because Sabarmati has been viewed through a political lens, leading to unnecessary controversy. The reality is that Vikrant wanted to spend quality time with his family, especially his young child, and recalibrate as an actor. After 21 years of a very busy career spanning television, web series, and films, it’s natural to take a step back, explore fresh ideas, or improve one’s craft. Acting is a profession that requires continuous learning, and even the greatest actors like Marlon Brando and Amitabh Bachchan work to improve daily. Mr. Bachchan, for instance, continues to push his limits even today. So, if Vikrant wants to take a short break to rejuvenate and return as an even better version of himself, it’s completely understandable."

Saanand also feels that as an actor, one cannot stay away from the craft for long—it’s a passion, not just a job. He says, "I believe he will be back within a year at most. We eagerly await his return. Wishing Vikrant Massey all the best—we all love him!"