‘Hope is all we all need’, says Perneet Chauhan

What does Perneet mean?

So, Perneet is derived from ‘praneet’, which means calmness. It’s a typical Sikh name.

Tell us about your background.

I am a Sardarni, born in Goa. I come from the Defence background. My grandfathers were in the Army and Navy and my dad is an ex-Naval pilot. I have lived across India; from Goa to Delhi to Chennai, and finally in Mumbai which has been my home for the past 23 years.

What are the prominent shows that you have done?

Some of the shows that I have done include Love Ne Mila Di Jodi, Geet, Mile Jab Hum Tum and Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se.

Which was your last show?

I last acted in the show Humkadam, which aired on IsharaTV.

Why was there a long gap in your professional life?

I had taken a short break in 2018 after which I actively started looking for work. Sometimes luck is just not on your side. I was about to do a show with a leading production house but last-minute things changed.

What kind of role are you looking for?

I want to do something out of the box. I would love to play a strong character on screen, be it a doctor, lawyer, cop or Army officer.

The covid scenario has changed the way we live and work. Are you facing problems?

It has changed a lot of things. I am trying my level best to stay positive and hopeful no matter what. Hope is something we all need; it helps us to move forward.

If not an actor, what would you have been and why?

I wanted to help people, especially those struggling with confidence or self-image. So, I would have been a counsellor.

What is your dream role?

I don’t know about my dream role but a few characters I like are Jennifer Winget’s role in Beyhadh and Sushmita Sen in Aarya. I also loved Code M.

What change do you find in the entertainment industry over the years?

I think the work culture has changed. More than your work the pressure is on marketing yourself which wasn’t there 8-10 years back.