Vihaan Samat: Wasn’t bothered about not playing the lead

Vihaan Samat

He has the boy-next-door charm, but that doesn't stop him from playing a bratty character like Harsh in Mismatched. Vihaan Samat, who came into the limelight with the first season of the Netflix rom-com series, has reprised his role for the second edition. So, how does it feel to return to a familiar world? The actor says Mismatched is now his ‘comfort zone', while praising the writers for upping their game. As the show drops online, Samat talks about finding his feet in the industry, nepotism, and dating in the times of Tinder.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

You started out with Mismatched, following it up with Eternally Confused and Eager for Love. After the first season, was life everything you expected it to be?
After Mismatched season 1, I wanted to keep working to gain more experience and knowledge. I was happy that they were making the second season because the first edition did so well. So, I brought in all the knowledge I had to this, hoping to enhance my character Harsh. I was not bothered about not playing the lead. I only focused on how well I can play my character. In life, I will do many lead roles, and many more supporting roles, and I am happy to do both.

The pressure of a second instalment rests more on the writers than actors. Did you feel any pressure?
I only concentrate on doing the best I can. I get the lines and make the best of whatever they have given me. The pressure was always there, especially since people loved Mismatched so much. I had to deliver, and that feeling came when I read the script.

Is it tough to reprise a role?
No, in fact, it is easier. You already know the character's back-story, his behaviour, and his relationship dynamics with others. It was a comfort zone for me.

In the second season, your character has evolved into a compassionate boy. How do you view the journey?
It was hard because you still have to [retain] the character's history. But to be honest, in the second season, [the team] has improved the writing so much and given each character their arc that it made it easy for us to perform it. [I was never confused] about how to do a scene. It was all given to me in the lines.

What do you think about love in the age of Tinder?
Dating is complicated these days. With technology and connectivity [comes] a lot of comparisons. From what I gather, back in the day, when you found your person, there was not much scope to wonder who else might be out there. You couldn't open your phone, see 500 different [potential partners] and meet them. Things are rapid nowadays. But I believe there are people who understand the need for a deep connection. Now, you have to meet [a lot of people] before you find your person.

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Describe your ideal romance.
My idea of perfect romance is where it keeps evolving, and we keep each other on our toes. It gives you new experiences. My person [has to be someone] who can be with me through anything and understands me completely.

As a rank outsider, what is your take on nepotism in Indian showbiz?
Nepotism will go on till the end of time. I have stopped commenting about it. I think it is a given - a family will always want to give its children the best possible opportunity; as parents, it is their duty. Personally, Bollywood has been welcoming to me. I have been lucky to find my tribe. I believe if you keep going and hold on to your confidence, [negative] thoughts go away with time. People you work with will also look out for you, which happened to me. I do theatre with Akarsh [Khurana, director]; the casting director roped me in for other projects, too. People see your work and recommend you. I have been lucky that I was not unfairly treated. It has been kind so far.