MUMBAI: The Coronavirus pandemic turned our lives upside down, and we have no option other than accepting the new normal lifestyle. But while the new normal might be hectic and tiring for many, actor Saanad Verma has no problem with it, in fact, he likes it.

He said, "To be honest, I like it. Actually, I am a loner. Hence, social distancing is pretty convenient for me. Mask is also a good thing because our country has never been a pollution-free place in any case. Frequent hand washing is also a great habit to develop. I feel the new normal is much better than the old one." 

He also revealed that the pandemic taught him to see the greatness in smallness. He said, "The ongoing pandemic taught me to live in the moment, live for the day, and not to worry about tomorrow because it’s very uncertain. I also learned to be kind to others and find happiness in small things. Playing with your puppy for 10 minutes can be the best 10 minutes of your life."

The actor has performed on all three platforms - TV, films, and web - but said he enjoyed acting on the OTT platform the most. He said, "Web is the best because there is no censorship. You get the highest level of freedom for creative expression which you don't get in TV or films. It is possible only on the web. So, I have enjoyed performing on the web platform." 

And though the audience has seen him in a comic role, he admits that he is more fond of playing characters with grey shades. The actor, who played a grey shaded character in Saif Ali Khan-starrer "Sacred Games", said, "If I had to choose, I will always prefer doing characters with grey shades. However, I would like to admit that it’s challenging to play a grey shade when an actor has already acquired the image of being funny."  

But not shying away from his love for comedy, he said, "Comedy is all about making people feel good, it is about creating a moment of laughter. But I think, we have a long way to go. There is a lot to be achieved. Mediocre comedians are trying hard to establish themselves, but are unable to achieve something extraordinary." 

The actor has been a part of the popular TV show "Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain" since 2015 and calls it a milestone in his career. He even feels that it has been a game-changer in the comedy industry. He said, "'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain' has been a real game-changer. It’s the first sitcom on Indian television with international quality of comedy content."

Lastly, tell us about the changes you have seen in the industry since you started. Saanand said, "We have started to create some brilliant content. We are more energetic, realistic, and hungry for awesomeness. New avenues for entertainment have come up massively and have become a way of life. All in all, we are evolving for sure."