In a world where overnight success is often romanticized, Paramvir Singh Cheema’s journey stands as a testament to patience, resilience, and the right timing. Nearly a decade since he first stepped into the limelight, the actor reflects on his rollercoaster career, the lessons he’s learned, and the battles he’s fought—both on and off-screen.
“There were times I thought, ‘Why am I struggling in a one bedroom flat when I have a big house back home?’ But I’d sleep it off and wake up thinking, ‘No, I have to keep trying.”
Paramvir begins with a smile, “It’s been great,” reflecting on his near-decade-long journey. “I started with Mr. Punjab, then Mr. India, and finally moved into acting. But I believe the right thing comes at the right time. Earlier, I used to wonder why I wasn’t getting work, questioning whether I was even a good actor. But now, I realize I wasn’t ready back then. When you’re ready, work finds you.” Luck and talent, he believes, go hand in hand.
“There are so many brilliant actors out there waiting for their break. I feel lucky that my directors have seen me in such different roles— Chamak was totally different from Sapne, which was different from Black Warrant and Tabbar. It’s a blessing.” Despite this growing body of work, Paramvir often goes unrecognized.
“I never thought I’d be an actor. But when I went to the theater, I knew—this is what I want to do.”
“I meet people who have watched Black Warrant and later realize, ‘Oh, you were in Sapne too?’” he laughs. “I once met a guy in Mumbai who sat with me for three hours, and after watching Black Warrant, he texted, ‘Brother, where were you in the show?’” Paramvir’s introduction to acting wasn’t conventional. Raised in a strict Punjabi household, he admits that his initial interest in theater wasn’t out of passion but rather a means of escaping home.
“My father was very strict—always saying ‘Ghar rehna ae, ghar rehna ae.’ When I got an opportunity to audition for Mr. India, I grabbed it just to get out.” That escape led him to theater, where he discovered his true calling. “I never thought I’d be an actor. But when I went to the theater, I knew—this is what I want to do.”
But why acting? “Coming from a Punjabi farming background, we rarely express emotions within the family. In theater, when you perform an emotional scene, people clap instead of making fun of you. That was a revelation for me. It became my way of expressing what I had suppressed for years.” Initially, his family, especially his father, was skeptical. “When I told my dad I wanted to be an actor, every relative said, ‘Nothing will happen in Mumbai. Bring him back.’ But my father didn’t.”
Surprisingly, his father, despite being strict, believed in him. “He had given up law to pursue farming, but he didn’t want me to do the same. He told me to complete my LLB first so I’d have a backup. When I struggled in Mumbai, relatives urged him to call me back. But after seeing my dedication, he became my biggest supporter. During COVID, when I thought of quitting and moving back home, he gave me money and said, ‘Go back. You’ve given five years to this, don’t stop now.’”
Winning Mr. Punjab may have seemed like a golden ticket, but Paramvir dismisses it. “It contributed nothing to my career. The only thing it gave me was confidence in front of the camera. No offers came from it, no opportunities. It was a harsh reality check.” When asked why, he chooses not to elaborate. “It’s an emotional journey that I’ve kept to myself. But that frustration pushed me towards Bollywood.”
“Winning Mr. Punjab contributed nothing to my career. The only thing it gave me was confidence in front of the camera.”
Paramvir speaks candidly about facing rejection in Mumbai. “In Punjab, rejection is rare. But in Mumbai, you give three auditions a day for weeks and don’t even get shortlisted. That frustration makes you question everything. There were times I thought, ‘Why am I struggling in a one bedroom flat with two other guys when I have a big house and a good life back home?’ But I’d sleep it off and wake up thinking, ‘No, I have to keep trying.’”
The turning point came when casting director Mukesh Chhabra noticed him. “It takes 3-4 years for casting directors in Mumbai to even know you exist. I got my first audition after years. The pressure was immense—I knew if I messed it up, I wouldn’t get another chance. Thankfully, I got shortlisted. But then, no auditions for another year and a half.”
“In theater, when you perform an emotional scene, people clap instead of making fun of you. That was a revelation for me.”
Just when he was about to quit, fate intervened. “During COVID, I left Mumbai and started farming with my dad. Then, out of nowhere, I got an audition for Tabbar. That changed everything.” From a hopeful contestant in reality shows to an actor making waves with versatile performances, Paramvir Singh Cheema’s journey is far from over.
He’s had his share of setbacks, but his belief in himself has never wavered. As he continues to challenge himself with diverse roles, one thing is certain—he’s here to stay. And he’s just getting started.
