The original web roommates

India’s first web series, TVF’s ‘Permanent Roommates’ aired the finale of its second season over the weekend. Founder Arunabh Kumar and lead actor Sumeet Vyas speak on ‘Tankesh’s’ journey and what it means for the audience as well as the TVF team

What started in 2014 struck an instant chord with audiences across the country. It was a modest sponsored video about two unusual lovers trying to find a place to rent in Mumbai; The Viral Fever’s (TVF) ‘Permanent Roommates’ soon become the most watched web series in India and globally.

It began in season one as a rom-com telling the story of a couple, Tanya (Nidhi Singh) and Mikesh (Sumeet Vyas) living together before getting married and turned to a full-fledged drama-comedy with unexpected twists and turns for ‘Tankesh’ along with an expanded star cast that included notable names like Asrani, Shiba Chaddha, Ayesha Raza and Darshan Jariwala in the second season.

Arunabh Kumar, CEO and Founder of TVF says, ''The first Web Series Created in India, reached a curtain call for its second season and also has a record of being the first one of its kind to have a follow-up season. “It gives us immense sadness and pleasure to see the story of Mikesh and Tanya come to this stage, but if it’s a finale, doesn't mean it has to be an end, right?” he asks with a wink.

Speaking about the leading duo, he says, “They are the Internet's most loved couple who have struck a chord with young Indians and taught them to live life with a dash of "Coooool".” Recounting one of the cutest moments of the season, when Mikesh cuddles Tanya in episode 2, Arunabh says, “The biggest lie that movies and TV shows tell is about love and that cuddling is the most convenient position to lie down in.

Up until now, we have been shown that couples only fight about bigger issues like trust, infidelity, religion or finance or parents. Whereas what they actually always fight about is, who's going to get up and put the fan on or who used my comb and who left the refrigerator door open!”

“They accept each other with all their quirks. That shows that they trust each other on a very deeper level. And listening to their conversation, it appears like; they have a very passionate relationship,” opines Arunabh.

Sumeet Vyas has had an interesting journey from the time he became Mikesh “cooool” Chaudhary. His screen persona is a goofy, extremely charming man who says “exactly” what he thinks. His fan base has sky-rocketed after the first season and is only increasing by the day.

“I get many messages from girls saying they want a guy like Mikesh. I wonder if they can actually handle all that goofiness. When I'm playing the part, a lot of times I'm thinking; if I actually do this (things that Mikesh does), the girl's going to run away and never come back,” says Sumeet on a light-hearted note.

Recounting his stint with TVF gang, he informs, “I had seen their videos and was a fan. So, I got in touch with Nidhi Bisht (a dear friend) that I was keen on working with them. And they called me for ‘Permanent Roommates’.” The rest is history.

Sumeet has made a mark with his acting skills on ‘Permanent Roommates’. His rapport with his scene is honest and of course, the camera loves him. At the age of 20, he started acting in television serials while simultaneously writing and directing plays. He was seen in the movie ‘English Vinglish’ as Salman Khan, the Pakistani cab driver.

On his upcoming projects, Sumeet discloses, “I'm currently working on another web series for TVF. I've written it and am also acting in it. I have one film about to release called 'Parched'.

“There were a few other films that were offered to me, but didn't excite me that much. So let's see, InshahAllah you'll see me in more movies very soon,” signs off the actor. Cooool, we say.

By Rashmi Kumari